Landscapes
, those
visual treasures
that shape our perception of
destinations , are
one
of the main
motivations when planning a trip
.
However, in the era of
climate change
, our planet Earth is constantly transforming.
Wind, water, sun and human activity are agents that contribute to change and, in some cases, cause the
disappearance of entire landscapes
.
These changes, although they are an inevitable reality,
raise fear due to the feeling of impermanence
of natural spaces.
They also serve as a call to travelers to venture out to contemplate, appreciate and record these natural wonders before it is too late.
In the last 50 years,
many natural monuments have undergone drastic transformations
or have disappeared completely.
The iconic Darwin's Arch in the Galapagos Islands, for example, has completely sunk into the sea, joining a list of natural wonders that no longer exist as we knew them.
Natural wonders that are about to disappear or have already disappeared
National Geographic has compiled a list of natural wonders that are in danger of extinction or have disappeared completely.
Although some of these wonders face an uncertain future,
it is still possible to visit them with caution
so as
not to interfere with their fragility or accelerate their disappearance
.
Legzira Beach, Morocco
Legzira beach in Morocco, one of the natural wonders that disappeared.
The iconic formation known as the
Red Arch
, located
on the beach outside Sidi Ifni, Morocco
, has disappeared.
This site stood out for its two
natural arches
and for offering a unique view of the sunsets.
It was a popular destination among surfers, fishermen, tourists and paragliding enthusiasts.
Dead Sea, surrounded by Israel, the West Bank and Jordan
Dead Sea is one of the natural wonders that is close to disappearing.
The
Dead Sea, nestled between Israel, the West Bank and Jordan
, is famous for its
high salinity
.
Although it has not yet completely disappeared, in recent years it has experienced an
alarming reduction
, with a decrease of more than one meter annually.
Hillary Pass in Everet, Nepal
Everest, Nepal it is difficult to reach the top of this natural wonder.
Since late May 2017, reaching the
summit of Everest in Nepal
has become even more challenging due to the
disappearance of a towering boulder
located just 60 meters from the summit.
It is speculated that this change occurred as a result of an earthquake that occurred in 2015, which would have loosened the rock structure.
Kaimu Beach, Hawaii;
USA
Kaimu Beach in Hawaii is about to disappear due to lava flows.
This
beach
, known for its
black sand
, became popular with visitors from all over the world.
However, in the early 1990s, more than 150 houses were destroyed by a slow lava flow.
This disaster was caused by the
eruption of the Kilauea volcano
, which remains active to this day.
Jeffery Pine, United States
Jefferry Pine is a natural wonder that was in the United States.
In 2003, this
iconic pine tree
, the most photographed in the world, succumbed to the force of the wind.
Its fall
marked the end of an era
and
left a void in the landscape
it used to dominate.
Solomon Islands
Five of the Solomon Islands disappeared due to rising seas.
These
islands, located in the Pacific
, faced the worst consequences of
rising sea levels
.
In 2016, five of these islands
were devoured by the waters
.
Now, a nearby island called Nuatambu is at risk of suffering the same fate.
Elephant Rock, Canada
"Elephant Rock" is a natural wonder that disappeared due to a landslide.
In 2016, a shocking event altered the landscape of an iconic place: "
Elephant Rock
."
Two hundred
tons of rock fell
from this formation, which
was one of the most prominent landmarks
for travelers around the world.