the aurora borealis (also called the northern lights) consists of awe-inspiring twirls of light in the sky, caused by 'solar wind' -- electrically charged particles interacting with earth's magnetic field. the aurora borealis can be up to 2,000 miles wide, but it fluctuates in size, shape, and color, with green being the most common color close to the horizon while purples and reds appear higher. named after aurora, roman goddess of dawn, and boreas, greek god of the north wind, these ribbons of color are best viewed in northern climates like alaska but have been seen as far south as arizona.
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ancient giant sequoia trees are nature's ever-growing wonders. giant sequoias grow naturally on the western slopes of california's sierra nevada mountains at elevations from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. some are as tall as a 26-story building, with their trunks spanning up to 100 feet and the bark on the older specimens reaching two to four feet thick. california's sequoia national park is home to several noteworthy giants, including the general sherman, which is the world's largest tree by volume, measuring 274.9 feet high, almost 103 feet around, and comprising 52,508 cubic feet of wood. giant sequoia trees are estimated to be between 1,800 and 2,700 years old. depending on the tree and where it is situated, giant sequoias can grow up to two feet in height every year, producing almost 40 cu
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Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America and is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera, the largest supervolcano on the continent.
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paricutin provides one of nature's best lessons in how volatile earth is. exploding out of a mexican cornfield in 1943, paricutin was the first known volcano to have witnesses at its birth. within a year, the cone had grown to more than 1,100 feet high. the flow eventually spread over 10 square miles, engulfing the nearby towns of paricutin and san juan parangaricutiro. the eruptions ceased in 1952, and the cone now soars 1,345 feet high.
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the grand canyon in northwestern arizona was formed by the erosive power of the weather and the colorado river and its tributaries as they scoured away billion-year-old rocks. although known to native americans for thousands of years, the vast gorge was not discovered by the first spanish explorers until 1540. grand canyon national park was established in 1919, preserving the more than 1.2 million acres of colorful cliffs and waterways that are home to 75 species of mammals, 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, 25 species of fish, and more than 300 species of birds. the canyon stretches 277 miles, with some sections reaching a mile deep and 18 miles across. more than five million visitors view the canyon annually, often hiking or riding mules down to the canyon floor, while the more adve
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The Serengeti hosts the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world, which helps secure it as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and one of the ten natural travel wonders of the world. The Serengeti is also renowned for its large lion population and is one of the best places to observe prides in their natural environment. The region contains the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and several game reserves.
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Milford Sound is located in the south west of New Zealand’s South Island. Although called a sound, it is more accurately classified as a fjord. Milford Sound, the most famous tourist site of New Zealand, has also been called an eighth Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling. It is situated within the Fiordland National Park which is in turn part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Milford Sound runs 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1200 metres or more on either side.
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victoria falls, originally called mosi-oa-tunya ('smoke that thunders'), was named after queen victoria of england in 1855. the raging waters of the zambezi river pour 19 trillion cubic feet of water per minute into a gorge that is 1.25 miles wide and 328 feet deep, making this the largest curtain of falling water in the world. located between zambia and zimbabwe, victoria falls is flanked by national parks and is now one of the world's greatest tourist attractions, with resorts, hiking trails, and observation posts springing up around it. white-water rafting at the foot of the falls makes for a thrilling adventure.
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mount everest, part of the himalayan mountains between nepal and tibet, was formed about 60 million years ago due to the shifting of earth's rocky plates. named after sir george everest, a british surveyor-general of india, everest is the highest mountain on earth, looming some 29,035 feet high and growing a few millimeters every year. climbing everest isn't easy, due to avalanches, strong winds, and thin air. nevertheless, in 1953, edmund hillary and sherpa tenzing norgay were the first climbers to reach the peak. more than 700 others have done so since, with at least 150 persons dying on their quest.
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the great barrier reef blankets 137,600 square miles and extends a dramatic 1,242 miles along australia's northeastern coast, making it the largest group of reefs in the world. the reef began forming more than 30 million years ago and is made up of the skeletons of marine polyps. four hundred species of living polyps can also be found there, along with 1,500 species of fish, as well as crabs, clams, and other sea life. the area is an australian national park and is visited by two million tourists a year.
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