Glass Beach

This collection presents extraordinary natural phenomena and geological formations across all continents, from salt flats and volcanic crater fields to underground cave systems and landscapes shaped by mineral deposits. The featured sites display rare geological processes: moving stones leave mysterious tracks across California desert playas, methane gas feeds flames in a Turkmenistan crater for decades, and thermal springs create white travertine terraces in the Turkish countryside. Coral reefs form circular structures off the coast of Belize, while chemical reactions turn lakes pink in Australia and rivers brilliant colors in Colombia. The geological features include hexagonal basalt columns along the Northern Irish coast, conical limestone hills on Philippine islands, and mushroom shaped sandstone formations in Utah. Caves in New Zealand house thousands of bioluminescent larvae, while one of the world's largest caverns lies beneath Vietnamese mountains. Locations range from a geyser studded desert basin in Nevada to red algae carpets along Chinese shores to isolated islands off the Yemeni coast with endemic flora. This collection encompasses both ancient archaeological puzzles like stone jars in Laos and ground drawings in Peru, as well as natural optical illusions such as apparent underwater cascades off Mauritius.

These California locations lie beyond main routes. The destinations include natural sites like canyons with fern walls, volcanic craters in Mojave Desert, and historical places like abandoned 19th century baths. The route leads to sand beaches, caves and nature parks.

Earth presents numerous geological formations, natural phenomena, and architectural structures that stand out through their exceptional characteristics. This collection documents such sites across all continents: the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan, burning for decades; the luminescent glowworms in New Zealand's Waitomo Caves; the terraced limestone pools of Pamukkale in Turkey; and the layered sediment patterns of The Wave in Arizona. Additional locations include the basalt columns at Bushmills in Northern Ireland, the deep blue expanse of Aokigahara Forest at the base of Mount Fuji, the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines with their conical mounds, and the acidic turquoise waters of Kawah Ijen crater lake in Indonesia. The collection also features human-made curiosities such as Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra with its spiral initiation well, the Winchester Mystery House in California with its unusual architecture, and Las Pozas in Mexico, a surrealist garden of concrete constructions in the jungle. Natural phenomena are equally represented: the Racetrack Playa in California with its moving rocks, the optical illusion of Magnetic Hill in New Brunswick, the Caño Cristales in Colombia whose riverbed appears in bright colors, and Lake Natron in Tanzania with its high alkaline content. Each location demonstrates specific geological processes, climatic conditions, or cultural developments that distinguish these places from typical travel destinations.

California's beaches range from the busy southern coast to the remote northern shores. Each location offers specific features: Santa Monica's pier, Venice's cultural scene, Laguna's scenic views, and Pfeiffer's mineral-colored sand. The coastline includes urban beaches with facilities, natural areas with rock formations, and protected marine zones for water sports and wildlife observation.