The World’s Most Mind-Blowing Natural Phenomena

Published March 23, 2013
Updated February 27, 2024
Mind-Blowing Natural Phenomena

Source: Blogspot

The World’s Most Mind-Blowing Natural Phenomena: Catatumbo Lightning

Bizarre Natural Phenomena Catatumbo Lightning

Source: Sodahead

Confined to the skies above Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo, the ceaseless streaks of Catatumbo lightning have captivated the interests of scientists, explorers and artists for centuries. For nearly half the year and up to ten hours a day, the natural methane and oil deposit-caused phenomenon can be observed in the bucolic Venezuelan horizon up to 280 times an hour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyWkLsdJjPI

And if you happen to visit Venezuela when the lightning isn’t able to be observed, fret not; while these flashes of light are technically momentary, Catatumbo lightning has manifested itself into the melody of the state’s anthem.

Catatumbo Lightning Photograph

Source: World All Details

Catatumbo Lightning Natural Phenomena

Source: Mango World

Mind-Blowing Natural Phenomena: Nacreous Clouds

Bizarre Natural Phenomena Nacreous Clouds

Source: Wiki Commons

While the pastel-tinted pictures of nacreous clouds might seem more akin to an abstract artist’s thoughts on Spring than natural science, the clouds owe their pristine coloring to the stratosphere in which they reside. Alternately dubbed the “mother of pearl” cloud given its iridescent coloring, the nacreous cloud may only be found in the early evening or dawn and in particularly frigid regions at distances of 9 to 16 miles above ground.

So for all of you Loch Ness Monster hunters scaling the depths of Scotland’s Inverness, if you don’t end up discovering Nessie, just look up; you might bear witness to something just as mystical. Given the cloud’s peculiar shape, coloring and moments of visibility, many individuals who aren’t familiar with the cloud often mistake it for a UFO.

Mind-Blowing Natural Phenomena Nacreous Clouds

Source: Wikipedia

Nacreous Clouds

Source: Leif Haugen

Bizarre Natural Phenomena Nacreous Cloud 4

Source: Tumblr

The World's Most Mind-Blowing Natural Phenomena

Source: Tumblr

author
All That's Interesting
author
A New York-based publisher established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science to share stories that illuminate our world.
editor
John Kuroski
editor
John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.