Amazing Earth

Skeleton Coast,
Namibia

Skeleton coast

The Skeleton Coast in Namibia spans more
than 300 miles (500 km). It is spectacular,

but treacherous. Over the years, it has
become a graveyard for countless animals

and ships. The coast got its name from
the whale and seal bones that lie here—
once common finds when these animals
were hunted—but the name also aptly

describes the ghostly shipwrecks.

Humpback The coast is
whale skull littered with the
sCeaapleskfuulrl bleached bones of
whales and seals
that were once

hunted here.

Section of a 149
whale spine

AFRICA SkeleTtoownerCionagsts,anandddfuongesromlleseitn,thceoveseraingalotnhge the
desert.
Desert meets sea

The Skeleton Coast in Namibia lies between the
Atlantic Ocean and the sand dunes of the Namib
Desert. Here, huge waves crash onto the shore,
strong winds blow, and thick fog rolls in off the
sea. Cold water, from a cold ocean current, cools
the hot desert air, causing the fog to form. In this
windy, desert climate, little rain falls, but the fog
provides a precious supply of freshwater.

How the fog forms cACturhurcreeroenlBdtne,tno,cgcaceuloealoenllads Shipwreck
the hot
aHcirootblidysdwectoshaeotelreetrd. SkCeoleastton desert air. Bones and wrecks
ColdCuBrerenngtuela

roSFlkolegsleifnotoromnvseCraonatsdht.e vapor, and owfhleiqnuitdh,ecrdeeasteirntg air cools,
Atlhleaivrapcoorntcahinasngweastteor tiny drops the fog.

Whale In addition to the whale and seal bones on the
vertebrae Skeleton Coast’s shore, the thick fog, stormy seas,
and unpredictable currents have led hundreds of ships to
their doom here. Some wrecks are buried, some have

rotted away, but other haunting relics remain,
ranging from 15th century Portuguese wooden

boats to modern steel fishing ships
and cargo ships.

150

SKELETON COAST

Hyena Unexpected wildlife

Kudu (a species Despite the tough conditions, many animals live along the
of antelope) coast, including lions (which hunt kudu as well as seals here),

hyenas, and jackals, and elephants that sometimes wade
in the waves. There are also plants, such as lithops,
that depend on the fog for moisture.

Lithops, or “pebble Cape
plants,” are brilliantly fur seal
camouflaged to avoid

being eaten.

Lithops Jackal The sea here is rich in plankton
eAlefrpihcaannt and fish, vital for this habitat’s
food chain. The fish are eaten by
Cape fur seals at Walvis Bay (at
one end of the Skeleton Coast).

Shipwreck
(MV Dunedin Star)

The wreck of the UK cargo The shipwrecks remain because it is
ship MV Dunedin Star hit the difficult to clear them away. But
ground of the Skeleton Coast more recent wrecks are being removed
in 1942 and got stuck there. to help keep the coast clean and safe.

151

asia

Chinoike
Jigoku, Japan

CHINOIKE JIGOKU

Chinoike Jigoku is one of a cluster of
steaming hot springs in the city of Beppu,
Japan. Its name means “Blood Pond Hell,”
from its bright-red, boiling-hot water. The
pond is far too hot to bathe in. The water

reaches temperatures of around 172°F
(78°C)—twice as hot as a warm bath.

But it is a truly spectacular sight.

The vivid red color of the spring water
is caused by iron oxide in the ground.

153

asia

City of springs ysWpomurhuiindlcegasinsChhbaaailsntsoohhieketeahilnotJuhigogthobhtkeeuntreoisfobinutesnsesgnfuoio.torWadbtalftheoeerrfsotikrnhinebt.ahstOekhniinssnea.gnf,e

The Japanese word for hot spring is “onsen.”
There are thousands of onsen all over Japan because
the country lies on the Ring of Fire along the Pacific
Ocean and has many active volcanoes. In the city of
Beppu alone there are around 3,000 onsen, gushing
out more than 143,000 tons (130,000 metric tons)

of hot water every day. Find out more about hot
springs on pp. 47–49 and pp.161–163, and
learn more about the Ring of Fire on p.122.

154

Hellish ponds Chinoike Jigoku

Eight of the hot springs in Beppu 155
are known as “jigoku” (hells) because of
their appearance. In addition to Chinoike

Jigoku, another of the most dazzling
is Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell). The very

bright blue color of this spring comes
from a substance called iron sulfate

(a type of salt that is made from
iron) in the water.

Sea Hell

Keeping warm

In Jigokudani Monkey Park, Japanese macaques
regularly bathe in hot springs where the water is
safe for them to go in. For a long time, scientists
believed this helped them keep warm in the bitterly

cold winter. They now think that it also helps
the monkeys to lower their stress levels.

Japanese macaques, also
called snow monkeys, have
thick fur and can survive

temperatures as low
as -4°F (-20°C).

asia

Manjanggul
Cave, South

Korea

MANJANGGUL
cave

Almost 2 million years ago, a massive
volcanic eruption created the island of Jeju

in South Korea. Today, evidence of this
explosive event can be seen across the
island. Aside from its main volcano, Jeju has
around 360 smaller cones and more than
160 lava tubes, including the Manjanggul

Cave, the longest lava tube in Asia.

arTeoldaaavcytai,vaeanat,dshpocolntraecJleaietqsejuuiisnd2ttluamhnvenialelwilfoslo,norwilnydsetwtahrhehsreosaruagegmoh.veohlwacraadnyeoneesd 157

asia

Lava features

The Manjanggul Cave snakes underground
for more than 8 miles (13 km). Its walls and

ceiling are rounded, as if they have been
scooped out. Inside are different features,
created when the hot liquid lava became
solid, including stalactites, stalagmites,

and a pillar almost 25 ft (8 m) tall.

A tall pillar formed when
hot lava dripped through
a hole in the tube ceiling
and then became solid.
More lava then dripped

down and solidified,
building up into a pillar.

Latvfhaoerfmltaoutwbieoinnhgakirnndotewonnaedahsotlotehceirneeaalteelpowhaaenlratv’slaefvroeoocltk.of

158

manjanggul cave

Stalactites are rock formations Common bent-wing bats can
that hang from cave ceilings. hunt in the dark. They rest
They don’t just form in lava
in the cave’s ceiling.
caves. See pp. 60–61 for
stalactites created by rainwater

in another type of cave.

Stalactites formed when the Cave creatures
tube’s lava ceiling melted due to the
heat of more hot lava flowing into Some animals are perfectly suited to the damp, cold, dark
the tube. The melted ceiling then conditions inside Manjanggul Cave, including around 30,000
common bent-wing bats. They find their way in the dark using
hardened into stalactites. echolocation—they figure out the position of things by how
long it takes for noises they make to bounce off objects and
come back as echoes. Nutrients in their droppings support other

animals, such as the recently discovered Jeju cave spider.

A lava tube is a tunnel, How a lava tube forms Hot liquid
created by slow-moving, liquid lava
Hot liquid
lava

lava flowing through hardened Channel
surface lava. At the end of
2slmat.vaaMcak,kionsrcgeroetnhahottetionpcglahovalfaanynefeexllroisswtbiiasgnnggadenhrd.ot
a volcanic eruption, the lava 1vcg.ohrlLoaciunaqnnnudeiidcllsielkaorevfuaptltahfivoleaonwoiannsnedftrahocbemroevaeat. es
supply stops. Any remaining
Solid lava
lava drains away, leaving crust
a tubelike cave behind.

Solid lava Hot liquid Hollow,
at the top lava tubelike

and sides cave

Tube shape

3cfg.olroooLwluasnvsdaaan.nadTdthhtibasuhriecdldreetsnoasupt.peM,asnmoadreetlstuihdibnoeegtssilnhatavopaet.he 4. More lava at the top 5. The eruption ends.
and sides cools, eventually The lava stops flowing
forming a crust over the alenadvidnrgaianshoalwloawy,tube.
tube at the surface.

159

Asia

Pamukkale,
Turkey

PAMUKKALE

Pamukkale in southwest Turkey is a
spectacular natural landscape in the
Menderes River valley. “Pamukkale” means
“cotton castle” in Turkish, and it’s easy to
see how this magical place got its name.
A series of shimmering white terraces,
topped with warm, turquoise pools, cascades
down the steep slope of the river valley.

The terraces are created by limestone deposits
that build up over time. The limestone is in

spring water that flows down the valley side.

161

Asia

travertine terraces

The white terraces at Pamukkale are made of a particular type of Travertine forms at hot
limestone called travertine. This forms when hot, mineral-rich spring springs, but it can also form
water rises to the surface, then flows down the Pamukkale slopes, near streams, waterfalls,
depositing calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate crystallizes into
travertine. (See pp. 47–49 and pp.153–155 for more hot springs.) and at cold springs.

More travertine As the travertine builds
terraces up, in places it looks like
solid, white waterfalls.

Huanglong,
China

Along the Huanglong
Valley in Sichuan, China,
travertine terraces
wind their way between
snow-capped mountains
and thick forests.

162

pamukkale

How a travertine terrace forms Hot water Pamukkale pools
forms a pool.
Water from the pool The Pamukkale terraces start at
cascades down the slope. nearly 650 ft (200 m) high on the
The calcium carbonate in valley side and run down to the
the water crystallizes lower valley. There are numerous
into travertine. terraced pools formed from 17 hot
springs, and the temperature of the
Over time, the water ranges from a warm 95°F
travertine creates (35°C) to a roasting 212°F (100°C).
steplike terraces.

Older springs can Hot spring water
become blocked off. (containing calcium

Dazzling white carbonate) rises.
travertine
Thermal waters

Since ancient times, the hot spring syeInnotuthcceraanAshsnwitniigqmudeoovwPeonrolbawynchiaeenrneteabcraottluhhmiqnungaskietshalaoltlnogwwaeegrdeo,.
water at Pamukkale has been valued for its
healing properties. Just above the terraces

lie the ruins of the Greek-Roman city of
Hierapolis and the Antique Pool where
Cleopatra may have bathed more than
3,000 years ago. Today, most of the natural
pools are off limits for bathing, to prevent
damage by the large number of visitors.

The climate at Pamukkale is
Mediterranean, with hot, dry
summers and mild winters perfect for
swimming where it is allowed.

Mammoth Badab-e Surt, 163
Hot Springs, USA Iran

The travertine The travertine terraces
terraces at the at Badab-e Surt in
Mammoth Hot Springs
in Yellowstone Mazandaran, Iran, are
National Park rust-colored because
were formed over of deposits of iron in
thousands of years.
one of the springs
that created them.

Europe

North
Frisian Islands,

Germany

North Frisian
islands

In the Wadden Sea, off the north coast
of Germany, is a group of storm-battered
islands called the North Frisian Islands.

For centuries, people have lived here,
fishing and farming. Today, tourists come
to see the thatched villages, sand dunes,

and mudflats, as well as the many
seabirds and seals on the islands.

When the tide goes out here, vast areas of mud
are revealed around the grass-covered islands.

165

EUROPE Sylt

Shifting islands Föhr
Amrum
The North Frisian Islands are an archipelago—a
place made up of a group of islands. There are four Pellworm
larger islands—Sylt, Föhr, Amrum, and Pellworm—
and 10 islets (tiny islands). The islands are the WadATdhecenaufsSeoeuwaraamyreaicnSoynNlntoe,rctFtöhshrSF,yriAsltiamntrouImstl,ahneadnsmd aiPnienltlalhwnedo.rm.
remains of mainland or former, larger islands, eroded
by waves and storms over hundreds of years. They
continue to change shape today. The islands have an
oceanic climate, with mild summers and cool winters.

Magical mudflats

Twice a day, the tide goes out, exposing vast stretches
of mud called mudflats, also known as tidal flats. During
low tide, you can walk across the mud, from island to
island. These are some of the world’s largest mudflats.
When the tide comes in, they flood with seawater again.
The plants and animals that live here have had to adapt
to the constantly changing conditions.

Under threat

Like many islands around the world, the North Frisian Islands
are under threat from climate change. With storm surges and
rising sea levels washing away huge amounts of sand along

the coasts, they could eventually disappear. In many
places, coastal defenses, including dams and pumps,
have been installed to help prevent flooding.

166

NORTH FRISIAN ISLANDS

Island wildlife Lugworms
Black-backed
From mudflats and tidal creeks gull
to sand dunes and salt marshes,
this area has an amazing range of Shore crab European plaice
habitats and wildlife. Porpoises and
seals swim in the sea, migrating birds (a type of flatfish)
visit the mudflats, and the mud is
home to lugworms, crabs, and flatfish.

Gray seal

Harbor seal Harbor
porpoise

As waves Beach The sand and stones are then pushed
go out to Groyne farther along the shore by the waves
sea, they coming back in. Groynes help stop the sand
pull sand Sea and stones from moving along the beach.
and stones The waves push the
with them. Longshore drift sand and stones in the
direction shown by
the blue arrow.

The shape of the islands’ coastlines is always changing
because of longshore drift. This is when ocean currents push
sand and stones along a beach. The material is first picked up

from the beach by the backwash (the waves going out to
sea), and then it’s carried back by the swash (the waves

coming in) to form new beach farther on.

gaIrnnodytnhsetisosp—vielowlnogwosfhwoPraeelllldswrtoifhrtmatfIrsaolcamtndea,sroycdooiunagsctaatnlhedseesefheotnrhseee.s

167

Glossary desert glacier

Glossary Region, often covered with sand or Large, moving mass of ice on land
rocks, where very little rain falls and formed from a build up of firmly
algae cassava few plants can grow. packed snow on mountainsides or
near the poles; glaciers move slowly
Various plants and organisms (living South American plant with thick drought downhill, often down mountains,
things), which grow in or near water; roots that is grown for food and due to the influence of gravity and
some types of algae can only be seen used to make flour. Long period of time during which a their own weight.
under a microscope, others grow place gets little or no rain.
up to 165 ft (50 m). cavern glacier meltwater
erode
archipelago Large, deep cave formed by Water flowing from the melted
underground water, or a large When wind, ice, or moving water (or ice of a glacier.
Large group or chain of islands; chamber in a cave. a combination of these things) erode,
the islands are usually small. they wear away rocks and soil; any gneiss
clay pan moving water can erode rocks and
arid soil—rain, the sea, rivers, or lakes. Type of rock that contains layers
Naturally forming layer of clay just of minerals, such as quartz.
Another word for dry; a place that below the surface of the ground that erosion
gets very little or no rain. holds water after heavy rain. Gondwana
Process by which rocks and soil are
atmosphere climate change worn away by wind, ice, or moving Supercontinent that existed from
water (or a combination of these things); around 550 to 180 million years ago.
Layer of gases surrounding the Changes in Earth’s climate, especially any moving water can erode rocks and
Earth that reach a height of around a rise in temperature caused by high soil—rain, the sea, rivers, or lakes. gorge
600 miles (1,000 km). levels of carbon dioxide and other
gases in the atmosphere. evaporate Deep valley, with steep sides, formed
bacteria by flowing water, such as a river,
continental crust When a liquid evaporates, it is heated or by rain breaking down rocks.
Microscopic (tiny), single-celled and changes into a gas.
organisms (living things) that live in Parts of the Earth’s crust that granite
soil, water, or on plants or animals. lie under the continents. flash floods
Type of very hard, gray, pink, or
basalt coral reef Sudden, fast-flowing floods caused black rock, made mostly of quartz.
by unusually heavy rain.
Type of dark, fine-grained rock that Rocky ridge built by tiny animals, groundwater
forms when lava from volcanoes called coral polyps, in shallow, geology
becomes solid. tropical seas. Water found underground in soil,
Study of the rocks that make up the rock, or sand.
biodiversity crater Earth, their physical structure and
history; geologists study geology. ice age
Variety of plant and animal life in a Large bowl-shaped hole at the top
particular place or in the world. of a volcano; or a large bowl-shaped geometric Time in the past when the climate
hole created when a big object hits became very cold and ice covered
calcium carbonate the ground. Word describing a pattern or large parts of the Earth; there have
shape made up of regular shapes been several ice ages.
White powder found as the mineral, crystal or lines, such as a checkered
calcite; it is found in rocks such as pattern, a square, or a cube. ice sheet
limestone, chalk, and marble. Solid, natural material that forms
into a geometrical (regular patterned) geopark Enormous glacier, the size of
shape; crystals can form in rocks. an entire continent, that covers
Landscape of outstanding geological everything with ice.
interest, together with the community
that live there; areas with geopark ice shelf
status have a plan of action to help
local people understand and promote Large area of ice floating on the sea,
their area and care for its environment. attached to land ice (glaciers or an
ice sheet); ice shelves are fed by
geothermal glaciers or an ice sheet.

168 Word describing something
connected to the heat that comes
from inside the Earth.

Glossary

impermeable oceanic crust rift valley

Word describing a substance that Parts of the Earth’s crust that lie Valley that is formed by temperate
does not allow gases or liquids to under the oceans; thinner than movement of the Earth’s crust;
pass through it. continental crust. rift valleys have steep sides. Word describing places on Earth
that are between the poles and
irrigation peninsula runoff the tropical regions; these places
have a wider temperature range
Process of bringing water to fields Long piece of land that sticks out Water that flows across the surface of and distinct seasonal changes
and farmland so that plants and from the mainland into a sea or lake. the land rather than being absorbed by compared to other regions on Earth.
crops can grow. the ground.
phytoplankton
jade salt pan
Tiny plants that float near the surface
Green precious stone from which of the sea, rivers, or lakes; many sea Naturally forming, flat area of tropical
jewelry and ornaments can be carved. creatures feed on phytoplankton. ground that is covered with salt.
Word describing regions on Earth on
lagoon pigment sandstone either side of the equator; the tropics
normally have a very small yearly
Area of sheltered seawater, almost Substance that gives a particular Type of rock made mostly of temperature range and usually only
cut off from the sea by coral, rocks, color to something. particles of sand. two seasons—a wet and a dry season.
or sand.
plateau sea level wavelength
lava
Large area of flat land that stands Height of the surface of the sea. Distance between the crests (high
Hot, liquid rock from inside the out above the surrounding landscape. points) of waves; light and sound
Earth that reaches the surface due sinkhole have wavelengths.
to volcanic activity. prehistoric
Hole in the ground where rock or weathering
limestone Word describing a period in history soil has been worn away by water.
that was a very long time ago and
Type of white or light gray rock, often before people wrote things down. subtropical Physical or chemical breakdown
used as a building material. of rocks; causes of weathering
quartz Word describing places on Earth include changes in temperature,
magma that lie to the north and south of rain, ice, and plants.
Hard, clear mineral. tropical regions; subtropical places are
Hot, liquid rock deep inside the Earth; often warm and have a wet season.
it can rise to nearer the surface. quartz sandstone
supercontinent
methane Sandstone rock that is mostly made
of quartz. Huge, single landmass made
Gas with no color or smell; one of up of all the land on Earth in
the gases contributing to climate rain forest prehistoric times.
change and global warming (the rise
in Earth’s temperature caused by Forest that grows in a tropical region tectonic plates
gases in the atmosphere). and gets a large amount of rain.
Gigantic pieces of the Earth’s crust.
microscopic reflect

Word describing something so When a surface reflects, it sends light
small that it can only be seen back, rather than absorbing the light.
under a microscope.
169
mineral

Solid chemical substance formed
in the ground; most rocks are made
of minerals.

monsoon

Season when monsoon winds
carry heavy rain to countries in
southern Asia.

Index bioluminescence 32, 60 climate change 25, 28, 56, 166
Black Rock Desert (USA) 43, 45 coal 138
Index Bohol Island (Philippines) 14–17 coastal defenses 166, 167
Boiling Lake (Dominica) 49 cocoons 60
A Bolivia 92–5 columnar jointing 35
boulders 21, 113, 114 combustion, spontaneous 138
acacia trees 56 Brazil 100–3, 112–15 condensation 57
acidic rain/soil 139 Buryat people 81 coral islands 33
algae 13, 44, 45, 48, 52, 76, 77 coral reefs 16, 33, 63, 64, 77, 97, 134
c cormorants 37
blooms 83 Cousteau, Jacques 65
Algeria 111 cacti 95 craters 108–11, 116–19
alkalis 52 calcium carbonate 162–3 crystals 27, 29, 76, 162–3
Ambulocetus 69 Canada 77, 136–9 currents, ocean 150, 167
Amundsen, Roald 25 canyons 38–41, 90 cyanobacteria 48
Andes 127 Cape Stolbchaty (Russia) 37 cyclones 134
Antarctica 22–5, 127 Caribbean Sea 49, 63–5
Antelope Canyon (USA) 38–41 cattle 119 D
antelopes 39, 57, 151 caverns 28
archipelagos 132–5, 164–7 caves 36, 58–61, 64, 65, 89, 90, 98, 115, Dead Sea (Israel/Jordan) 26–9
Arctic tundra 139 Deadvlei (Namibia) 54–7
Argentina 124–7 124–7, 130, 135, 143, 156–9 Death Valley National Park (USA) 87
armadillos 103 cenotes 140–3 deer 79, 82, 107
Asik-Asik Falls (Philippines) 130 chameleons 134 deserts 66–9, 84–7, 92–5, 108–11,
Atlantic Ocean 150 Chapel Oak (France) 107
atmosphere 110 Chichen Itza (Mexico) 142, 143 150
atolls 33 Chile 124–7 Dettifoss (Iceland) 131
Australia 74–7, 108–11 China 70–3, 128–31, 162 Devil’s Postpile (USA) 37
Austria 127 Chinoike Jigoku (Japan) 152–5 Djaru people 111
Chocolate Hills (Philippines) 14–17 Dobšinska Ice Cave (Slovakia) 61
B clams, giant 33 Dominica 49
clay pans 56 Dorudon 68, 69
bacteria 29, 47, 48, 51, 53 cliffs dragon’s blood trees 133, 134, 135
Badab-e Surt (Iran) 163 Dreamtime stories 111
Balamku caves (Mexico) 143 burning 136–9 Dusty Rose Lake (Canada) 77
baleen feeders 69 ice 24
Ban Gioc Waterfall (China/Vietnam) magma 13 E
climate
128–31 Antarctic 23, 25 Earth’s crust, movement of 11, 12, 16,
baobab trees 91 desert 27, 28, 56, 93, 94, 109, 28, 61, 72, 80, 90, 98
Barringer Crater (USA) 110 134, 150
basalt 36, 37 hot, arid 52 East African Rift Valley 51, 53, 117
Basilosaurus 67, 68 Mediterranean 77, 146, 163 echolocation 159
bats 159 monsoon 15, 33, 72, 105, 106 Egypt 66–9
beaches 31, 32, 167 mountain 19 Eisriesenwelt ice cave (Austria) 127
bears 82, 107, 123 oceanic 166 El Capitan (USA) 144–7
beetles 57, 87 subtropical 72, 105, 106, 117 elephants 107, 118, 151
Belize 62–5 temperate 35, 79
Beppu (Japan) 152–5 tropical 15, 33, 64, 91, 97, 99,
102, 114, 129, 130, 143
170

equipment glaciers 13, 20, 21, 23, 25, 36, 77, Index
caving 115 126, 127, 131, 146
diving 65 Indigenous peoples 41, 76, 81, 107,
hiking 21 glowworms 58–61 111, 119, 138
gneiss rock 20
erosion 16, 36, 40, 64, 72, 90, 98, Gondwana 134 Indonesia 106
114, 130, 166, 167 gorges 90, 105, 119, 130 Inuvialuit people 138
Grand Prismatic Spring (USA) 46–9 Iran 163
Eurasian Plate 12 granite 145, 146 iron 55, 111, 137, 153, 155, 163
Eureka Dunes (USA) 84–7 Great Blue Hole (Belize) 62–5 irrigation 28
evaporation 27, 52, 53, 94, 101, 102 Great Sandy Desert (Australia) 109, islands 31, 33, 36, 37, 96–9, 132–5,
Ewaso Ng’iro River 52
111 164–7
F groundwater 90, 109, 114 Israel 26–9
growlers 24
Fingal’s Cave (Scotland) 36 Guyana 112–15 J
firefall 144–7
fish 13, 37, 64, 82, 97, 102, 123, 143, H jackals 107, 151
Jaintia people 107
167 Ha Long Bay (Vietnam) 96–9 Jeju volcano (Korea) 157
fjords 19, 21 Hang Dau Go (Vietnam) 98 Jembatan Akar Bayang (Indonesia) 106
flamingos 51, 52, 95 Hang Son Doong (Vietnam) 61 Jigokudani Monkey Park (Japan) 155
flippers 69 Hierapolis (Turkey) 163 Jordan 26–9
floating villages 99 hiking 21 Jordan River 28
floods 28, 45, 56, 134, 166 Hoq Cave (Socotra) 135 Judaean Desert 27
Horsetail Falls (USA) 144–7
flash 40, 41 hot springs 42–5, 46–9, 121, 122, 123, K
Fly Geyser (USA) 42–5
fog 57, 150 152–5, 160–3 Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) 120–3
fossils 66–9 Hualapei Flats (USA) 43 Khasi people 107
foxes 69, 87 Huanglong (China) 162 Kjeragbolten (Norway) 21
France 107 human evolution 119 Klyuchevskoi volcano (Russia) 122
freshwater lakes 78–81 hyenas 151 Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (South
Frying Pan Lake (New Zealand) 49
fungus gnats 60 I Africa) 32
Koryaksky volcano (Russia) 122
G ibis 102 kudu 151
ice age 20, 64
Garo people 107 ice caves 126–7 L
geckos 91 ice shelves 22–5
gemsbok 57 icebergs 24 lagoons 28, 33, 101, 102
geoparks 129 Iceland 10–13, 126, 131 Lake Baikal (Russia) 78–83
geothermal activity 43, 45 IcePod 25 Lake General Carrera (Chile/Argentina)
Germany 107, 164–7 Ik Kil Cenote (Mexico) 140–3
geysers 42–5, 120–3 India 104–7 125, 127
Giant’s Causeway (Northern Ireland) Indian Ocean 30–3, 133

34–7
Gingerich, Philip 68

171

index minerals 29, 40, 43, 44, 52, 53, 60, 65, P, Q
77, 162
Lake Hillier (Australia) 74–7 Pachypodium lamerei 91
Lake Natron (Tanzania) 50–3 monkeys 99, 107, 143, 155 Pacific Ring of Fire 122, 154
Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park (USA) 41 Mount Erebus ice caves (Antarctica) 127 Pakicetus 69
Lake Retba (Senegal) 76 Mount Roraima (Brazil/Venezuela/Guyana) Palacio de Sal (Bolivia) 95
larvae 60 Pamukkale (Turkey) 160–3
lava 35, 36, 53, 118, 158–9 112–15 paperbark trees 75
lava tubes 156–9 Mount Tarawera (New Zealand) 48 penguins 25, 77
lemurs 91 mud pots 122 peninsulas 141, 126
Lençóis Maranhenses (Brazil) 100–3 mudflats 165, 166, 167 Philippines 14–17, 130
leopards 107 mudslides 123 phytoplankton 32
light mummies 53 pigments 48
Murchison (Kabalega) Falls (Uganda) 131 pillarlike mountains 72
reflected 147 myths and legends pingos 139
wavelengths 48 pink lakes 74–7
limestone 16, 59–61, 64, 90, 97, 98, dragons 99 plants
130, 142, 161, 162 giants 17, 35, 36
lions 151 Lake Baikal 81 acidic habitats 139
lithium 94 Mount Roraima 114 carnivorous 115
lithops 151 trolls 20 deserts 56–7
longshore drift 167 forests 73, 104–7
N islands 132–5
M salt pans 95
Namib Desert 54–7, 150 sand dunes 86
Maasai people 119 Namibia 54–7, 148–51 tsingy 91
McClure, Robert 138 natron 53 pollution 83
Madagascar 88–91 Navajo people 41 prehistoric life 67–9
magma 13, 44, 48, 52, 118 needle rocks 88–91 pupae 60
Maldives 30–3 New Zealand 49, 58–61 quartz sandstone 72, 114
Mammoth Hot Springs (USA) 163 Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania) 116–19 Quây Son River 131
Manjanggul Cave (Korea) 156–9 Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark (Vietnam)
manta rays 33 R
Marble Caves (Argentina/Chile) 124–7 129
Mayan Empire 141, 142, 143 North American Plate 12 rain 16, 36, 45, 56, 57, 90, 106, 142
Mediterranean Sea 28 North Frisian Islands (Germany) 164–7 rain forests 61, 97, 99, 130, 143
Meghalaya (India) 104–7 Northern Ireland 34–7 reindeer 21
meltwater 13, 20, 64, 77, 123, 126, 127, Norway 18–21 rhinoceroses 118
Ribbon Falls (USA) 147
131, 145, 147 O rice fields 131
Menderes River (Turkey) 161 rift valleys 11, 12, 13, 51, 53, 80, 117
meteorites 109, 110–11 Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano (Tanzania) Rodhocetus 69
methane 79, 80 52, 53 Ronne Ice Shelf (Antarctica) 23
Mexico 140–3 root bridges 104–7
Mid Atlantic Ridge 12 Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania) 119 Ross, James Clark 25
Olkhon Island (Russia) 81 Ross Ice Shelf (Antarctica) 22–5
172 opossums 103 rubber trees 105, 107
orcas 37 Russia 37, 60, 77, 78–83, 120–3
Orda Caves (Russia) 60
overfishing 82, 83

S sulfur 138, 139 Index
sunfish 37
salamanders 73 weathering 64, 72, 113, 138
Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) 92–5 T, U Welwitschia mirabilis 56–7
salmon 82, 123 whales 66–9, 149, 150
salt crystals 27, 29, 76 tabletop mountains 113, 114 wildlife
salt flats 92–5 Tanzania 50–3, 116 –19
salt lakes 27–9, 50–3, 74–7 tarsiers 15, 17 caves 60–1, 159
salt marshes 167 tectonic plates 11, 12, 80, 122 cenotes 143
salt pans 56 tepui 114 coastal 37, 167
sand dunes 54–7, 84–7, 100–3, 150, thermophilic organisms 45 coral reefs 33, 64, 77
Thingvallavatn Lake (Iceland) 13 craters 111, 118–19
165, 167 Thingvellir National Park (Iceland) 13 deserts 57, 69, 111, 151
sandbanks 33 Tin Bider Crater (Algeria) 111 forests 73, 107
sandstone 38–41, 72, 114 Tongling Grand Canyon (China) 130 freshwater 79, 82, 123, 130
Sasyk-Sivash Lagoon (Russia) 77 tourism 29, 83, 95, 99, 123, 165 hot springs 155
Scotland 36 travertine terraces 160–3 islands 77, 134, 167
scuba diving 11, 13, 60, 65 trees, dead 55–6 isolated habitats 115
sea eagles 123 Trolltunga (Norway) 18–21 lagoons 102
Sea of Galilee 28 Tsauchab River 56 salt lakes 51–3
sea levels Tsingy de Bemaraha (Madagascar) 88–91 salt pans 95
tundra 139 sand dunes 86–7, 102–3
falling 90, 98 Turkey 160–3 tsingy 91
rising 25, 36, 64, 166 turtles 33, 64, 68, 103 Willow Palace (Germany) 107
sea lions 77 Uganda 131 Wolfe Creek Crater (Australia) 108–11
seabirds 77, 165, 167 United States 37, 38–49, 84–7, 110, wolves 82
seals 37, 77, 79, 82, 149, 150, 151, Wudjari people 76
165, 167 144–7, 163
Senegal 76 X, Y, Z
sequoia trees 147 V
sharks 33, 37, 64, 68 Yellowstone National Park (USA) 47,
shipwrecks 149, 150–1 Vaadhoo (Maldives) 30–3 49, 163
Sierra Nevada mountains (USA) 146 Valley of the Geysers (Russia) 120–3
sifakas 91 Valley of the Whales (Egypt) 66–9 Yemen 132–5
Silfra Rift (Iceland) 10–13 Venezuela 112–15 Yosemite National Park (USA) 144–7
silk 107 Viekan geyser (Russia) 121, 122, 123 Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) 140–3
singing sands 87 Vietnam 61, 96–9, 128–31 Zhangjiajie Mountains (China) 70–3
sinkholes 28, 62–5, 140–3 volcanic activity 36, 37, 49, 53, 118, 121, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (China)
Skaftafell ice cave (Iceland) 126
Skeleton Coast (Namibia) 148–51 122, 127, 154, 157–9 72, 73
slot canyons 40 Vredefort Crater (South Africa) 111
Slovakia 61 173
Smoking Hills (Canada) 136–9 W
snails 134
Socotra Archipelago (Yemen) 132–5 Wadden Sea (Germany) 165
Socotra Island (Yemen) 133, 134 Wadi Al-Hitan (Egypt) 66–9
Sossusvlei (Namibia) 54–7 Waitomo Glowworm Caves
South Africa 32, 111
South Korea 156–9 (New Zealand) 58–61
South Pole 2 Walmajarri people 111
stalactites and stalagmites 60, 61, 65, water droplets 57
98, 143, 158–9 water vapor 47, 150
waterfalls 128–31, 144–7
waves 98, 126, 150, 166, 167

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

DK would like to thank: Caroline Twomey for Picture Library / Alex Mustard 10-11,
proofreading and Helen Peters for the index. 12-13, Nature Picture Library / Alex Mustard /
2020VISION 37clb, Nature Picture Library / Chadden
The publisher would like to thank the following for their Hunter 127bc, Nature Picture Library / Doug Perrine
kind permission to reproduce their photographs: 30-31, Nature Picture Library / Michel Roggo 24-25t,
Nature Picture Library / Solvin Zankl 61cla, George
(Key: a=above; b=below/bottom; c=center; f=far; l=left; Ostertag 45cr, Paul Mayall Australia 108-109, Christian
r=right; t=top) Pauschert 166tr, Peter O’Donovan 91tl, Prisma by Dukas
Presseagentur GmbH / Heeb Christian 41tc, Reuters /
123RF.com: 143702428 161br, andreykuzmin 25tr Mohamed Abd El Ghany 67br, Juergen Ritterbach 118-
(map), San Hoyano 127cr, Konstantin Kalishko 134- 119, Robertharding / Michael Runkel 158clb, Russotwins
135b, lorcel 147tl, picsfive 17 (note), 21b (note), 29 109br, Sabena Jane Blackbird 119tl (skull), Scott Sady /
(Note), 36-37 (Note), 41t, 57cb (Note), 60-61b (Note), Tahoelight.com 43br, Science History Images / Photo
65tr (Note), 68c (Note), 73r (Note), 76-77b (Note), 82c Researchers 139crb, Science Photo Library / Ton_Aquatic,
(Note), 83tr (Note), 86b (Note), 94r (Note), 103b (Note), Choksawatdikorn 48cr, Top Photo Corporation 81tr,
106-107b (Note), 110-111b (Note), 115t (Note), 123 Travel Pix 62-63, Travelart 31br, Universal Images Group
(Note), 130-131b (Note), 139t (Note), 142cla (Note), North America LLC / Planet Observer 110br, 111bc,
151t (Note), 155t (Note), 162-163b (Note), 167t (Note), Yoshiko Wootten 152-153, Xinhua / Zhao Dingzhe 66-67,
seamartini 98ca, spumador71 36bl, thais1986 29tl; Solvin Zankl 167cr; Depositphotos Inc: luiza.lisnic.
Alamy Stock Photo: 146crb, Agefotostock / Iñaki gmail.com 111tr, shalamov 56cr; Dorling Kindersley:
Caperochipi 90l, Agefotostock / John Higdon 22-23, All Bill Peterman 73cla, Ruth Jenkinson and Peter Anderson
Canada Photos / Jason Pineau 139b, Alpineguide 140- and 123RF.com: stevanzz 151ca; Dreamstime.com:
141, blickwinkel / Baesemann 136-137, Danita Delimont, Anakondasp 29ftl, Vorasate Ariyarattnahirun 126bl,
Agent / Claudia Adams 150bc, Ulrich Doering 53tl, Chris De Blank 55br, Bukki88 39br, Jeremy Campbell
116-117, dpa picture alliance 143br, Philip Game 68bl, 162br, Charm Moment 28-29, Ckchiu 105br, Daboost
Thomas Garcia 38-39, 41, Global Vibes 32crb, (All spreads- Background), Davemhuntphotography
Harley Goldman 86-87, Martin Harvey 57crb, Image 130cb, 167ca, Nadiia Diachenko 17tr, Digitalpress 130c,
Professionals GmbH / Per-Andre Hoffmann 14-15, Image Eastmanphoto 69bl, Elena Ray Microstock Library ©
Source / Yevgen Timashov 80-81, Imagebroker / Arco Elena Ray 86bc, Hdanne 167cl, Hpbfotos 47crb,
Images / TUNS 91cla, imageBROKER / Holger Weitzel Idreamphotos 64br, Isselee 37cb, 151c, Vladislav
164-165, imageBROKER / Martin Siepmann 126br, Jirousek 57clb, Jelena Jovanovic 95clb, Dmitrii
imageBROKER / Peter Giovannini 94bc, INTERFOTO / Kashporov 115crb, Tanya Keisha 29crb, James Kelley
Personalities 25tr, Inge Johnsson 42-43, JohnWray 37tr, 60br, Anna Komissarenko 77bc, Iuliia Kuzenkova 82-83,
Andrey Khrobostov 19br, Christophe Kiciak 106br, Chris Leonovdmn 76bl, Lunamarina 145br, M K 68-69, Mady
Mattison 115bc, mauritius images GmbH / Nico Stengert Macdonald 138crb, Robyn Mackenzie / Robynmac 12cla
(Tape), 13c (Tape), 20 (Tape), 29 (Tape), 33tc (Tape),
107bc, mauritius images GmbH / Pölzer 36clb (Tape), 40cra (Tape), 41 (Tape), 57tr (Tape), 60clb
Wolfgang 13c, Hazel McAllister 91ca, (Tape), 72tr (Tape), 73tc (Tape), 76clb (Tape), 80tr (Tape),
Minden Pictures 50-51, 86cb, 112- 81c (Tape), 87tr (Tape), 94tr (Tape), 95cl (Tape), 98clb
113, Juan Carlos Muñoz 53c, Eric (Tape), 103 (Tape), 106 (Tape), 110clb (Tape), 111tr
Nathan 32cb, Natural History (Tape), 119tc (Tape), 122cl (Tape), 123crb (Tape), 126clb
Collection 86clb, Nature

174

Acknowledgments

(Tape), 127cr (Tape), 130 (Tape), 133crb (Tape), 138crb 26-27, 29cl, 29fcla, Dennis Wegewijs 131bc, Panida
(Tape), 143 (Tape), 150cla (Tape), 155tc (Tape), 159 Wijitpanya 102cr, Wojciech-P 143cra, zanskar 132-133;
(Tape), 162clb (Tape), Hugo Maes 16crb, Aliaksandr naturepl.com: Mark Moffett 134cr; Keith Partridge:
Mazurkevich 104-105, Mikelane45 167tr, Aitor Muñoz 6cla; Lightsparq Photography / Vijay Manohar:
Muñoz 34-35, Perseomedusa 151cra, Veronika Peskova 144-145; Julian Jansen van Rensburg: 135tl;
17ca, Plotnikov 16cb, Rabor74 150tr, Dmitry Rukhlenko Science Photo Library: Wim Van Egmond 32cra, Ted
73cr, Martin Schneiter 40, Elena Skalovskaia 103tr, Kinsman 45c; Shahrogersphotography.com: Anup
Stephen Smith 40cr, Aleksey Suvorov 82clb, Tampaci Shah 53clb; Shutterstock.com: akedesign 98-99,
11br, Thejipen 158, Tihayanadya 81clb, Tiplyashina Andrey Armyagov 33cb, AzmanMD 156-157, Colin
80clb, Aleksandar Todorovic 95tl, Anastasiia Tymashova Bourne 76crb, Matteo Chinellato 110cb, chrisontour84
142-143c, Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven 87bc, Olga N. Vasik 150-151, Yevhenii Chulovskyi 130br, ddg57 71br, Jakob
121br, Wirestock 68crb, Belinda Wu 72-73, Yobro10 Fischer 163bc, FJAH 158tr, 159tr, Niks Freimanis 61bc,
151cl, Krisma Yusafet 153br; FLPA: Fabio Pupin 134tr; Gregorioa 107tl, Guaxinim 127tl, Claude Huot 150c,
Don Funk (Alpine Climber): 76br; Getty Images: Shaun Jeffers 49clb, JekLi 2-3, Iurii Kazakov 122clb, Ralf
500Px Plus / Maddy M. 46-47, AFP / Vasily Suvorov 120- Lehmann 157br, Lukas Bischoff Photograph 44bl,
121, AFP / Wang Zhao 73crb, Barcroft Media / Riau McDow Photo Inc 147cb, Mirigrina 84-85, Ingrid Pakats
Images 106bl, Barcroft Media / Victor Lyagushk 60bl, 122-123, Suzanne Pratt 48bl, Luciano Santandreu 29cla,
Bettmann 65clb, EyeEm / Mark Fitzpatrick 74-75, Chung SAPhotog 57tr, Serjio74 124-125, Lauren Squire 102-
Sung-Jun 159tl, Moment / nespyxel 33tr, Moment / RBB 103, Suksamran1985 160-161, TAW4 72tr, Pakawat
106-107, Moment / Sergio Pessolano 92-93, Anton Thongcharoen 100-101, TOMO 155tr, Nguyen Quang
Petrus 78-79, Photodisc / PhotoStock-Israel 28clb, Stone / Ngoc Tonkin 96-97, 131tc, Jessica Towns 48-49,
Angelo Cavalli 148-149, Universal Images Group / Juergen Wackenhut 166-167b, Oleg Znamenskiy
Auscape 76tr; Getty Images / iStock: 3quarks 165br, 54-55; SuperStock: Minden Pictures 88-89;
167br, 4045 130-131, 4kodiak 146-147, AndreAnita U.S. Geological Survey / Bethany L. Burton: 25clb
82cb, aphotostory 70-71, Astalor 56-57, Bibhash
Banerjee 13cl, Bborriss 123tr, Artur Bogacki 69crb, Cover images: Front: Getty Images / iStock: ixpert
Worawat Dechatiwong 73tr, DennyThurstonPhotography c/ (globe); Front and Back: Alamy Stock Photo: Inge
45cla, Dgwildlife 82crb, E+ / brittak 119cra, E+ / Johnsson bc; Dreamstime.com: Wirestock cr;
raisbeckfoto 117br, E+ / tanukiphoto 154tr, Mario Getty Images / iStock: Mario Faubert cl,
Faubert 52-53, Forplayday 110cla, glebchik 82cl, MarcelStrelow ca, PavelSinitcyn bl; Shutterstock.
gorsh13 69br, Emma Grimberg 29fcl, HomoCosmicos com: Bruno Biancardi fcrb, Guitar photographer tr,
36br, Jana_Janina 21tr, Janos 49tr, Jason_YU 99crb, Andrea Izzotti tl,lindamka br, PawelG Photo fbr,
JeremyRichards 126-127, Katharina13 75br, kavram Nicola Pulham cla, Ricardo Reitmeyer cb,
56tl, 87tr, James Kelley 41cb, kenhophotographer 128- Dmitriy Rybin c, Scapigliata crb, Marcel
129, LaserLens 130bl, leonardospencer 101br, LeoPatrizi Strelow tc; Spine: Shutterstock.com:
37cl, lindsay_imagery 76cl, LordRunar 16-17b, lu-pics Andrea Izzotti t, lindamka cb, PawelG
167c, mammuth 37tc, MarcelStrelow 58-59, Pedro Photo b, Nicola Pulham ca
Moraes 113br, nevskyphoto 98bl, oscity 110bl,
peterkocherga 82ca, Prill 119tl, Ondrej Prosicky 57br, All other images © Dorling Kindersley
143tr, Natalie Ruffing 37bc, Sanga Park 99br, For further information see:
SeanPavonePhoto 154, shalamov 155, ShantiHesse 94- www.dkimages.com
95, Smitt 18-19, 20-21t, Gustavo Muñoz Soriano 35crb,
Stanson 114, starush 162, Nicolas Tolstoï 137br, 175
TopPhotoImages 162bl, ugurhan 163cr,
VisualCommunications 106cl, VladKyselov 97br, vvvita

About the author

Anita Ganeri is an award-winning author of children’s
information books. Her best-selling series, Horrible Geography

(Scholastic Children’s Books), won the UK’s Blue Peter Best
Book with Facts in 2009. She is a Fellow of the Royal

Geographical Society and the Royal Scottish Geographical
Society. In 2010, she was awarded the Tivy Education

Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society for her
“outstanding contribution to geographical education.”

About the illustrator

Tim Smart loves the natural world and has been drawing
nature from a young age. His favorite drawings in this book
are the whales. He does not have a favorite color, but dark
indigo and sandy yellow are always his most stumpy-looking

pencils. Tim has a big scruffy beard and lives in London
with his two best friends, Katherine and Enid.

176