10. Hanakapiai Beach, Hawaii

One criticism you can’t throw at this beach is that it covers up how dangerous it is. A sign leading to the beach shows a tally of how many visitors have died there, with space for more. The problem is the currents – with no reef separating the beach from the open ocean, riptides can drag even good swimmers out to sea with no option of returning. The beach is also a hike away from any help, so don’t expect a fully-trained lifeguard on hand if you do get into trouble. A guide to Kaua’i island says that most deaths are out-of-state visitors who don’t understand the tides. The sign seems pretty straightforward, I think.

On the upside, it’s meant to be beautiful. Just don’t go into the water.

9. Gansbaai, South Africa

Another beautiful spot, with miles of white sand and dramatic cliffs. So beautiful in fact, that you’d think working for the Gansbaai Tourist Office would be a breeze. It has all these features, and it’s also the Great White Shark capital of the world. Who wouldn’t want to visit?

Well, people who are afraid of sharks for one. Maybe it’s just me, but selling a beach as being the Shark Capital of the World is a bit like selling a restaurant as being Cockroach HQ. Just look at this terrifying photo of a shark stalking a kayak, taken at Gansbaai – doesn’t it make your blood run a little bit cold? It’s been said that the photo has been faked, but the photographer denies this and also says that sharks don’t attack kayaks. So that’s a bit reassuring, but I’m still not rushing to visit.

8. Southern Mindanao Islands, Philippines

What happens when you venture “off the grid”? Well, book a trip to some of the more remote islands of the Philippines and you might find out. Away from the tourist destinations like Siargao, you might think there are exciting new places to discover and you’d be right, but not exciting in a good way. The southern end of the Mindanao Islands are frequented by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, who have been in a state of “All Out War” with President Estrada since 2000. In that time in one province, 45% of residents have reported their homes being destroyed, while 16% have known of witnesses to crimes being killed. So, your survival chances as a Western tourist? Depends whether the MILF are in need of a hostage that week or not…

Oh, and there are pirates about as well. Again, in a tourist-kidnapping sense. Still, lovely beaches…

 7. Darwin, Australia

Not one beach in specific, but dipping your toes in the waters anywhere near this Northern Australian city would require a nerve of steel. Delights in and around Darwin Harbor include box jellyfish, crocodiles and …more sharks! The jellyfish tend to only be a problem between October and May, but the salt-water crocodiles are visitors to Darwin all year round. One source reports that 4 crocodiles a week are caught in the harbor.

In case this is all sounding too enticing, bear in mind that a 2011 report into the state of Darwin’s beaches found higher-than-average levels of bacteria in the water. Australia has many beautiful and clean beaches to visit, with less chance of being eaten or stung…visit those instead!

6. Kilauea, Hawaii

One of the chief things you need in a beach vacation is heat. Lying on the beach when it’s chilly is just disappointing, really. So in some ways, visiting a beach on top of an active volcano is perfect. But there’s an obvious downside, in the form of the risk of death. But if you don’t much care about such things, Kilauea beach in Hawaii is worth a visit. The volcano has been constantly erupting since January 3rd 1983, so there’s little chance of catching it on an “off” day and it’s a beautiful natural phenomenon…from a distance.

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10. Baintha Brakk

One indication that a mountain is difficult to climb is how many times it’s been summited…hence the appearance of Baintha Brakk in this list. The 7,285m steep peak in Pakistan has only been conquered 3 timers, despite numerous attempts. The last successful ascent was last year, in September 2012, and there was a gap of 24 years between the two other ascents in 1977 and 2001. By contrast, Everest is summited 300 times a year. It is an extremely steep and rocky climb, with the South Face rising 3km in only 2 km horizontal distance. Even the Britons who conquered the mountain in 1977 paid the price for it on the descent – one broke both legs, the other contracted pneumonia and broke 2 ribs. A mountain to tackle if low odds of success motivate you!

9. Cerro Torre

This is a Patagonian mountain which is steeped in controversy. The first claimed ascent was by Cesare Maestri in 1959, where he claimed that he and Austrian Toni Egger reached the summit but that Egger had been killed in an avalanche and had taken the photos of the summit with him. A later attempt in 1970 stopped just short of the summit and left the mountain littered with equipment, including a bolt ladder along the southeast ridge. The bolts remained there until a pair of North American climbers – Hayden Kennedy and Jason Kruk – removed most of them on their “fair means” ascent in 2012. They were both praised and criticised for this action, but the mountain remains extremely challenging, with or without bolts. It’s only 2685m high – a baby compared to some of the Asian peaks – but it was for a time considered the hardest mountain in the world.

8. Nanga Parbat

Nicknamed “the Man Eater”, Nanga Parbat  has seen 62 deaths on its rocky slopes, approximately 5.5% of all the climbers who have attempted it. In the 1930s, there were a number of German attempts on the mountain, as the British allowed them no access to Everest at the time, but the losses were heavy – an avalanche in 1937 killed 16 men instantly, while an ill-fated expedition in 1934 saw 9 deaths, including the famous climber Willy Merkl. It was eventually conquered in 1953 by the Austrian Hermann Buhl, who completed the ascent alone but there have been many deaths since then. It is still considered a very challenging climb and contains the world’s largest mountain face – the  Rupal Face, at 15,000 foot high. It has never been climbed in winter and is still claiming victims. The most recent, Joel Wischnewski, disappeared in February 2013 and has not yet be found. A chilling reminder of how this mountain got its nickname.

7. The Eiger

The North Face of the Eiger is another mountaineering spot that’s been turned into a metaphor for an insurmountable obstacle. And there’s a good reason for that – the sheer 6,000ft face of the so-called “Ogre” is subject to rockfalls and melting ice and the mountain has seen 64 climbers die while trying to replicate the 1938 summit. The North face is also known as “Mordwand” (“Murder Wall”, a play on “Nordwand”.)

Its notoriety also lives on in an unlikely tribute from British children’s author J.K.Rowling. In the “Harry Potter” series, a Dark Wizard is called Gellert Grindelwald, Grindelwald being a village close to the mountain. It’s unlikely to be a coincidence, as Rowling likes to weave real-life references into her character names and the association only strengthens the mountain’s connection with death and destruction.

6. Denali

This is a lesser-known but deadly mountain, with over 100 deaths on its slopes. Also known as Mt. McKinley, it is North America’s highest peak at 6,194m. Its Alaskan location towards the North Pole means that the atmosphere is far thinner than on other mountains, and only around 50% of climbers reach the top. It was apparently first conquered in 1906, by Frederick Cook, but that was later proved false, and a further claimed ascent in 1910 was also viewed with some suspicion. The first verifiable conquest of the mountain was in 1913 by Walter Harper and it has been climbed many times since. However, the death toll and success rate are still grim enough to deter all but the most skilled climbers.

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10. El Tatio, Chile

The Tatio Geysers are found on the Andes Mountains. Setting them apart from the rest of the list is that they are at the highest altitude out of all the hotspots mentioned (although the Puchuldiza Geyser Field, also in Chile, is even higher up). At 4,200 meters up, El Tatio sports an impressive display of eighty plus geysers, making it the third largest geyser field in the world. Having numerous geysers in a relatively tight area means that none of them erupt with an excessive amount of force. Instead, they shoot only a handful of meters high, tops. The field is hazardous, though, since thin layers of dried crust can conceal boiling mud. A guide is highly recommended. Like many of the geothermal sites in the world, El Tatio has been a point of contention between those who would harness it for power and those who rely on the field for its touristic value.

9. The Great Rift, Kenya

Africa is a continent blessed with a plethora of geographical distinctions. There are many geothermal spots throughout, but The Great Rift in Kenya is one of the most impressive. This area provides utilitarian and pleasurable uses. It provides geothermal energy for the country and relaxation for travelers frequenting the resorts in the area. The Great Rift Valley Lodge is an ideal location for golfers to play a few rounds then explore the nearby bush and geothermal features via safari. If you are looking for other places to visit, the rift itself is a part of the East African Rift, which runs up the east coast of Africa. It is in Kenya, though, that perhaps The Great Rift exhibits its largest presence in everyday life.

8. Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is the site where the first ever geothermal power plant was built (in “Devil’s Valley”). Early Romans used geothermal heated water for many uses including the warming of their houses and for public baths. Modern Italians have made similar use of this resource, running geothermal water to places such as hotels and medical centers. However, there remain many unaltered spots available to locals and informed travelers, such the Saturnia Springs. Rolling green hills are scattered in the area that once fed Rome and continues to grow food for Italians today. With ancient places such as Florence and Pisa to visit, Tuscany is a great place for history buffs to explore while taking time out to soak away their travel aches.

7. Beppu, Japan

Beppu is the second listing from Japan. What makes it distinct from the others on this list is that it is a thriving metropolis. Beppu is a city that encompasses eight (yes, eight) different zones of hot springs. Beppu’s city streets offer little clue as to the geothermal underground, but the mix of urbanity and nature makes for some special architectural designs. Numerous onsen steam bath and spas dot the city scape. From straw huts on the outskirts to modern buildings with a traditional twist, these hot springs are housed in many distinct structures. In Beppu, travelers get a mix of true Japanese culture (both urban and traditional) with geothermal curiosities and relaxation.

6. Camiguin Island, Philippines

The Philippines itself is probably small enough to warrant its own geothermic region, and it is a country that is surprisingly riddled with geothermal hot springs. However, there is one particular island off its coast that offers hot spring relaxation in an unspoiled setting. All it takes is a flight from the Manila Airport and you can be landing on the island of Camiguin. This jungle island paradise has a vast array of places for pleasure soakers to seek relaxation. The Tangub Hot Spring is a little off shore and a great place to view sea-life in the comfort of warmed waters. Other hot springs mixing with waterfalls makes for adventurous treks while world class resorts provide the comforts of civilization. The island is equally renowned for its cold springs that make for a cool alternative to the tropic atmosphere.

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10. The Land Snail, Quantula Striata

While there are plenty of glowing aquatic molluscs, there is only one snail on land known to produce light: the tropical species, Quantula striata. In fact, it is the only land gastropod (among thousands of snails and slugs) known to be bioluminescent. It is so elusive (as many snails are) that a picture in the dark could not be procured. The eggs have been observed as having globules that glow in the dark continuously. Juvenile and adult snails can produce short bursts of green light. While many land snails communicate through pheromones, it is suggested this tropical species may also use its bioluminescence as a form of communication.

9. Antarctic Krill

Antarctic krill are among the most important animals in the Antarctic food chain, ranking right under the phytoplankton on which they feed. When krill congregate in an area (called a swarm) during the warmer months, animals from all parts of this bitter cold region get ready for a feast. This is because krill affects life from every angle in Antarctica. Krill densities can reach as high as 30,000 individuals per m³! That’s a lot of krill and food for predators! With krill comes hungry fish that are gobbled by species such as seals, penguins, and birds. Krill have numerous organs which can glow a yellow-green light for up to 3 seconds at a time. It is not known exactly why krill glow, but it is thought by some scientists that krill illuminate to avoid predators from the deep by blending into the brightness of the sky and ice above the surface. As important as krill are in the food chain, it would make sense they developed such a tactic to blend in and try to avoid the inevitable.

8. Millipedes in the Genus Motyxia

The only millipedes that glow in the dark are all the species in the genus Motyxia (in which there are eight total). They are known as Sierra luminous millipedes and have been recently discovered to emit a greenish-blue light, especially when disturbed. Some species have only a faint glow while others glow incredibly bright. There are very few photos of these millipedes getting their glow on, but the one pictured above (Motyxia sequoiae) was demonstrated through recent partnered research at Tulane University and the University of Arizona. These millipedes are only found in California forests. Another cool little tidbit is that they can’t even enjoy their own light shows: because they’re blind! While these millipedes rely on other senses to hunt for rotting debris, their predators are usually mammalian hunters such as rats. Like other poisonous creatures, the cyanide-containing millipedes had to find a way to display their toxic status to predators through visual cues. Since Motyxia millipedes are nocturnal, having bright colors like some venomous snakes isn’t very helpful in the dark, so these little creatures have evolved bioluminescence to send a clear message.

7. Crystal Jelly (Aequorea Victoria)

Crystal jellies are nearly transparent, floating with the ocean currents. While they look delicate, these graceful creatures are carnivorous. They consume other jellyfish as well as zoo plankton and small crustaceans. They are able to emit a green-blue glow with over 100 tiny, light-producing organs surrounding their outer umbrella. Crystal jellies are collected for their luminescent photo-proteins which are used as bio-markers in research studying genes and detecting calcium.

6. Dinoflagellates – Blue Ocean Glows

Dinoflagellates consist over 2,000 protists species including the toxic red tide. While they can be found in both fresh and salt water, the majority of dinoflagellates live in marine environments making up a large portion of phytoplankton. Certain species can produce a brilliant bioluminescence. When these microorganisms are disturbed, either naturally or by man-made waves (boats, swimmers, fishermen wading, etc.), the water’s surface lights up in a beautiful blue ocean glow. Noctiluca scintillans, known as “sea sparkle”, is a free-floating marine species of dinoflagellate, most likely the species displayed in this photo. The glow acts as a defense mechanism that may warn off predators or attract hunters even higher up on the trophic scale. The end result of this effect is that these little critters ingeniously help make prey out of the predators that would otherwise be stalking them.

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10. Greenland Ice Sheet

When Erik the Red found a place to settle, he named it Greenland. Scandinavian people far and wide competed for spots upon ships heading to this newfound paradise. When they got there, they were greeted by a country covered by 80% of sheer ice. Suffice it to say, people have seldom found a need to venture far from the shore or into the heart of their colonized ice cube. The Greenland ice sheet is a whopping 600 square miles in size. Perhaps people 2000 years from now will live the promises given to their ancestors because many scientists estimate that the ice sheet will melt by that time. The ice sheet has long served researchers well as an indicator of past climate change as they drill cores out of the ice.

9. Colombia’s North Mountains

It’s hard to tell just how unexplored the northern mountains of Columbia are, because guerrilla fighters don’t keep official records on the internet. Many bands of outlaws disappear into the area with plans to emerge at later, more opportune times. Most of the nearby residents, however, are peaceful, indigenous tribes. For every scientific expedition that is conducted, it seems that new flora and fauna are identified each time. The areas are home to extensive cloud rainforests that envelop these mountains in mist. These unexplored mountain ranges are best suited for naturalists interested in discovery. In 2006, a new bird species (Yariguies Brush Finch) was found in a previously unexplored region of the Yariguies Mountains, so called after the native people that used to inhabit them. More recently in 2010, a new subspecies of the bird Lachrymose Mountain Tanager was discovered.

8. The Amazon Rainforest

Even being under siege as it is, the Amazon Basin still holds a vast amount of untouched land. The Amazon Rainforest covers most of the basin and is so large, in fact, that there are still tribes of people untouched by modern civilization. The Amazon maintains perhaps the most species rich tract of tropical rainforest on the planet. It is beautiful to behold, but dangerous in traveling. Dense bush and a slew of venomous creatures keep the common person from delving too deep, but these devices don’t work as well against bulldozers and industrial equipment. What is thought to have grown some 35-54 million years ago is now being cut down by large swaths every day. Exasperating the problem is that many different countries claim a part of the Amazon as their own and so set the local policy for its treatment in that area. The Amazon claims over half the remaining rainforest in the world.

7. Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea has the distinction of being one of the world’s least explored countries. It is home to a prolific amount of fauna, flora, and indigenous peoples. Paradise birds amaze the eyes with an untold variety of dances and courtship rituals. The biodiversity is as amazing as the native cultures, and new species of plants and animals are found routinely. Scientists believe that countless other unidentified species inhabit the country’s inner jungle. When it comes to being a scientific haven, Papua New Guinea is comparable to places such as Madagascar and Belize. The rugged terrain of this country means that many areas are only accessible by airplane (unless you feel up for a huge amount of hiking and climbing).

6. Namibia

Namibia is the least populated country in Africa. A mere estimated 2.1 million people call almost 300,000 square miles home. After doing the math, it becomes clear that there is a lot of open space per citizen. There is a large amount of land for the people to take custodianship of, but Namibia is also the only country to include protection of the natural world in its governmental constitution. Even with a poaching problem all too common in most African countries, Namibia’s pro-environment policies protect thousands of square miles of largely unexplored deserts (including the famous Kalahari) and plateaus. Namibia is a great place for spotting endangered animals. Rhinos and cheetahs top the long list of animals facing eventual extinction. Namibia also houses many small, charismatic animals such as the ant bear and the notorious honey badger.  The race is on for this country to grow its ecotourism industry faster than poachers can lessen its biodiversity.

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10. Chesapeake Bay

Making its way through the Galaxy to collide with the Eastern Shore of the North American continent some 35 million years ago, the asteroid which landed at Chesapeake Bay in the Eocene Epoch created a long lasting scar on the surrounding landscape. Smashing into the same coastline which is now home to Western Virginia, the moderately sized bolide responsible for the impact vaporized almost instantly as a result of the immense speed at which it was travelling. Back then, the geography of the impact area was far different than it is today, with soft tropical rain-forest as opposed to sturdy continental shelf resulting in a crater that is not only over 30 kilometers wide, but also astonishingly deep.

9. Kara-Kul Lake

One of the most recently discovered impact sites of its kind on the planet, Kara-Kul sits majestically 13,000 feet above sea-level in the Pamir mountains, which border Tajikistan with China. At 25 kilometers wide, the lake is the result of a moderately powerful meteorite impact which is estimated to have taken place some 5 million years ago. As its location is so desolate, the lake itself has only been widely known about for a few decades. On top of this, the nature of its creation was only determined several years ago via satellite imagery technology. With a maximum depth measurement of 750ft, the lake is living evidence of the power to change entire landscapes held by meteors and asteroids.

8. Barringer Crater

Located in Northern Arizona, the Barringer Crater is named after the Pennsylvanian mining engineer who first claimed the cause for the craters existence. Believed to be around 50,000 years old, the Barringer crater is an example of an exposed crater and was first come across by European New World settlers in the 19^th century. Originally thought to be the result of volcanic activity, a fair assessment given the locality of the San Francisco Volcanic fields, Daniel Barringer’s theory was initially met with little hospitality. Widely considered to be the most well preserved impact site of its kind on the planet, the Barringer crater is around 4,000ft in diameter and 570ft deep.

7. Deep Bay

Dating from the Cretaceous Period, Deep Bay is the result of a particularly huge meteorite impact. Located in the South Western corner of Reindeer Lake in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, Deep Bay was first discovered as a result of its irregular depth in an otherwise moderate lake. At 220m deep, the crater is the deepest body of water in Saskatchewan, and also one of the widest at 13km. Given the size and characteristics of the impact crater, as well as the fact that it managed to completely overhaul the geography of an already large open water body, the projectile which caused it undoubtedly caused chaos in the surrounding atmosphere.

6. Manacouagan Crater

The Manicouagan Crater lies in the North Western part of Canada, Quebec to be precise. With an estimated age of between 213 and 215 million years, it is one of the oldest known craters of its kind on the planet. Situated 300km to the North of the city of Baie-Comeau, the Manicouagan Crater is not just one of the oldest, but one of the largest astroblemes on our planet. Measuring in at 100km across, the crater is believed to have been caused by an asteroid no smaller than 5 kilometers in diameter. Associated for a considerable amount of time by many as the site of impact of the asteroid which wiped out the dinosaurs, the Manicouagan Crater is the subject of widespread study to this day.

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As well as being very dangerous, sinkholes are also a very dramatic geological feature. Where they occur in the wild, they can even be beautiful. Either way, it is a fascinating phenomenon, so we present our Top 10 Most Interesting Sinkholes

10. Cave of Swallows, Mexico

This amazing, cave-like hole has been known to locals since the dawn of history, but was only explored by outsiders in 1966. Caused by water erosion along a fault line, it is the largest known cave shaft in the world and at 370m deep, it could fit the Chrysler Building into it. It’s a popular spot for extreme sports fans – you can abseil down it in 20 minutes, or jump with a parachute in 10 seconds. Only problem is, it takes an hour of hard, vertical climbing to get back out. So not one for amateurs!

A milder tourist activity is watching the birds that the cave is named for. Every morning, they fly out in circles until they reach the opening, and in the evening they glide back in in a kind of free-fall. It’s a beautiful spectacle and less dangerous than hurling yourself off the edge!

9. Red Lake Croatia

Another beautiful natural structure now, with this water-filled sinkhole near the city of Imotski, Croatia. Named “The Red Lake” because iron oxide has colored the surrounding cliffs a red-brown color, it is 530m deep and is the 3rd largest in the world.

It’s also home to a rare species of fish known as Delminichthys adspersus. This fish has occasionally been found in neighboring lakes and streams, suggesting that there is some kind of underwater passage between this lake and others.

8. Xiaozhai Tiankeng, China

One of the deepest sinkholes in the world, at 662m with near-vertical walls, Xiaozhai tiankeng was formed when the carbonate rock was eroded by rain and washed away, leaving a huge chasm in its place. “Tiankeng” is a word in Chinese that refers to an especially large sinkhole, and can mean “heavenly pit” or “sky hole”.

It’s a pretty amazing tourist attraction, and almost untouched. Worth a visit for keen geologists!

7. Macungie Sinkhole, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania was recently named one of 7 states most at risk of sinkholes. And the 1986 appearance of this sinkhole in the village of Macungie is a good example of why Pennsyvanians should be very worried about that.

At lunchtime on June 23, a section of road just collapsed, leaving a gaping hole 87 feet across and 41 feet deep. Luckily, no-one was driving on that stretch of road at the time and so no-one was hurt. Had it happened a few meters away, near the houses, it would have been disastrous. As it was, it caused huge amounts of damage to the sewage and water systems, and the repairs cost $450,000. Research after the event threw up photos from the 1940s and 50s that showed sinkhole-like ponds in the area, so it was concluded that the local geology lent itself to forming sinkholes. Bet the home insurance is pretty expensive in Pennsylvania now too!

6. Bimmah, Oman

After an inconvenient, messy sinkhole like the Pennsylvanian one, it’s nice to know that sinkholes can still be things of beauty. This one, dubbed ” World’s most stunning sinkhole” by a British newspaper is in Oman and measures 40m wide. Tourists flock to see it and take a swim in it, aided by steps cut into the rock. Apparently, it also contains tiny fish that will nibble swimmers’ toes, in a similar way to a fish pedicure. A foot-nibbled outdoor swim in a sinkhole? It would certainly be a memorable one!

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10. 1960 Valdivia Earthquake

An earthquake is very difficult to catch on film. Usually, we are only privy to the destruction it leaves behind. For most of us, such images are enough to appreciate the overbearing power of the earth’s platonic movements. The largest recorded earthquake in history happened in Valdivia, Chile, 1960. Registering a staggering 9.5 on the MMS (Moment Magnitude Scale), this seismic shift caused thousands of people to perish and sent tsunamis tearing across the Pacific Ocean. Furthermore, landslides were numerous, destroying houses by the thousands. This earthquake was so powerful that it actually caused an eruption of the Volcano Cordon Caulle that would last months. Luckily, this volcano iss in a mostly unpopulated area . An increase in larger, modern cities with larger buildings has led to more notorious earthquake in present days, but the earth has never shaken the same way as it did that day in Valdivia.

9. Dust (or Sand) Storms Like This One in Texas, 1935.

Droughts are the harbingers of this mythological creature that roles in from the plains and chokes towns with its sediment. Fatalities are rarer than other disastrous natural phenomena, but its appearance alone makes hearts drop and jaws open. A rolling wall of darkness consumes the world around you in a surreal haze. The ensuing effect of disorientation and inhalation has led to numerous health problems, including deaths. A dust storm happens when wind begins to reverberate against loose sediment. The particles from this sediment fly into the air and land on the ground further loosening more debris. The process continues until the sky is filled with dust, dirt and sand. While this process does happen naturally, man-made impacts on the landscape have often exasperated or caused more of these storms.

8. Light Pillars in Cold Places

The best thing about light pillars is that they can be experienced by many people. You don’t need to travel far and wide to find these illusions that are often mistook for UFOs. A light pillar is a (sometimes) natural phenomenon that takes place when light reflects off of a concentrated mass of ice particles in the air. Naturally produced light can emanate from the sun (a sun pillar) or moon (a moon pillar), but artificial sources of light such as street and house lights can also cause this display to happen. This spectacle is most likely to happen on the coldest of days. Light pillars will look different from every angle you view them, as you are seeing simply the reflection of light as it hits your eyes. From another angle, they won’t appear at all. The light pillar is a personal phenomenon experienced differently by everyone.

7. The Great Blue Hole, Belize

The Great Blue Hole in Belize took a combination of natural events to create. Firstly, it was formed like any other sink hole: limestone rock is dissolved below ground by seeping rainwater and the rise and fall of the water table. The result is a large underground cavern topped by a thin layer of soil. Eventually the ground gives way and the sinkhole begins to widen as additional erosion licks at its sides. This all happened with The Great Blue Hole, and then something else did: the water level rose. The ocean poured into and filled the hollow space with seawater, creatures, and life. It has since become known by underwater adventurers such as Jacques Cousteau as a premier location for scuba diving. This sink hole is amazing to gawk at, but many sinkholes happen in populated (even urban) areas. Houses, city streets, and sadly people have all been swallowed up by undetected sink holes.

6. April 25-28, 2011 Tornado Outbreak

Tornados rival volcanoes as the most photogenic of natural phenomena. They are highly visible, typically large in mass, and hang around while conducting their business. Tornado business is always good seasonally in Southern and Midwest America but picked up suddenly on April 25, 2011. For three days, tornadoes racked Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. Tornadoes even popped up in unlikely areas such as the Northeast. As impressive as this gallery of tornadoes was, its death toll of 348 people in the heart of America resounds in the national conscience. Even with modern technology and architecture, this storm system was responsible for the third most fatalities for a tornado outbreak in The United States of America. Tornadoes offer an up close, visceral experience—a trait that has attracted storm-chasers with cameras nationwide. They remain, however, one of the most unpredictable natural phenomena and should be respected as such.

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So, say you’re an astraphobe, i.e. you’re scared of lightning, which states are best avoided? We’ve taken data from the National Weather Service to bring you the Top 10 States to avoid if you’re scared of lightning.

10. Colorado

Let’s start with home of the Rockies, Colorado. As you look at the statistics for the number of strikes Colorado receives, it seems way down the league from some of the other states. With average yearly flashes of 517,539 it’s only 17th on the list for regularity, and when it comes to strikes per sq mile of state, it’s only 32nd!So why does it appear on the list of ” Most dangerous states“? Maybe because there are 394 recorded deaths and injuries for the state! Yup, when it comes to death by lightning, Colorado’s stats are impressive. There were 24 deaths from 2002 through 2011, which made it the second most deadly state in that time period. When it came to deaths per million people, it also came 2nd.For a state with such low occurrences of lightning, that’s a high mortality rate. It might be because so much of Colorado is mountainous – if you’re caught on an open mountain top during a lightning strike, it’s a pretty grim situation. So if you’re visiting Colorado and you’re not keen on lightning, stay away from those mountains!

9. Missouri

Next up, we have the “Show Me State” – home to both gentle rolling hills and the Ozark mountains. In some ways, it’s the opposite to Colorado being 4th on the number of overall strikes 1997-2011, but with a relatively low death rate. 2012 saw no deaths at all and 16 between 2002 and 2011. It’s also 7th on flashes per square mile, so there’s a good chance that if you moved to Missouri you’d see some lightning action. But if you’re lucky, you won’t die from it! Especially if you hang out in the lower regions of the state.

8. Arkansas

And now onto Missouri’s neighbor, Arkansas which shares the Ozarks with Missouri. The state’s topography is widely varied, from its highest point at 839m (Magazine Mountain), to just 17m at the Louisiana border. With 7 lightning deaths between 2002 and 2011, it’s only 14th on the death per population chart, despite being the 5th most prone to strikes on the strikes per square mile chart. So, a mixed performance from a mixed state. What else would you expect from somewhere so varied that it has a reputation for hillbillies yet also produced a president? Arkansas is never predictable!

7. Oklahoma

Here’s another Mid-West state, made famous by the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical in 1955. The “Sooner State” lies mostly on the Great American Plain, but also has a few small mountain ranges. It’s a cultural melting pot, with more than 25 Native American languages spoken, as well as immigrants from Germany and the UK.

The state is known for its thunderstorms and where thunder goes, lightning follows! It’s 3rd on the list of overall strikes for 1997-2011, with a yearly average of 1,055,748 strikes. But there were only 4 deaths between 2002 and 2011 and only one in 2012 (Ray Marshall, in his driveway). So that’s a pretty low ratio of deaths per strike! Clearly, the people of Oklahoma are well versed on how to survive a lightning strike.

6. Michigan

This is a strange one – it’s listed as the second most dangerous state when it comes to lightning strikes, with 732 recorded deaths and injuries. But it’s only 31st on the table when it comes to the number of strikes per square mile, and it’s annual average is a relatively tame 300,955. It’s also number 30 on the list of deaths per million people, based on only 6 deaths between 2002 and 2011. And none at all last year! So why so many deaths and injuries?

It probably has something to do with something that happened in Leslie (Ingham County) in August 1975. Large numbers of people were gathered at a campground, when lightning struck, injuring 90 of them. Being outside when lightning strikes is a dangerous occupation, so all the outdoor pursuits offered by the Great Lakes may have contributed to the large proportion of injuries there. The Government of Michigan advises sheltering in a valley or ravine and avoiding tall trees if lightning threatens to strike. It also advises not staying in a boat or swimming if you’re caught in a lightning storm, but that’s not too helpful if you’re already out on the lake. Basically, check the forecast before you go!

But it’s less likely that you’ll be hit by lightning in Michigan than in 30 other states, so it’s probably not worth worrying too much about. Enjoy your outdoor vacation!

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10. White Cliffs of Dover, Great Britain

The British Isles have so many natural wonders that picking a single one for this list is no easy feat. The reason the White Cliffs of Dover appear on this list is because of their iconic imagery that represents so many events that occurred in Western history. Dating back to the first explorations by the Romans through the horrors of the Nazi bombing campaign, the White Cliffs of Dover have come to represent the irrepressible will of the British people more than any other natural land mark in the region.

9. Rainbow Bridge, Utah

Rainbow Bridge is not on this list so much because of its own merits, of which it has plenty, but because it is so indicative of the beauty of the American Southwest. This harsh and unforgiving landscape is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Home to red sandstone cliffs carved by the hand of mother nature herself, the Southwest is resplendent with beauty that will take your breath away.

8. Crystal Caves, Mexico

Not all of our planet’s beauty is on the surface and the Crystal Caves are a resplendent example of this fact. These caves stretch for miles under the surface of Mexico and host some of the most jaw dropping sights ever unearthed by humans. The earth itself took millions of years to create this titanic garden of rock sculptures that even Michelangelo would be hard pressed to equal.

7. The Giant Steps, Ireland

If you were to look at the Giant Steps of Ireland without knowing differently, you would swear that these monolithic formations were manmade. The Giant Steps are the result of thousands of years of ocean waves slowly cutting into the rock. We may know this rationally, but seeing this wonder first hand will leave you thinking that maybe giants did actually walk the earth and this is one of the wonders they left behind before they disappeared.

6. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Breathtaking is truly the most accurate description ever accorded to Victoria Falls. These massive waterfalls have become one of the most iconic symbols of the beauty of Africa and have inspired poets and artists alike for thousands of years. While there are many waterfalls in the world, none of them have the stunning beauty or immensity as this natural wonder.

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