10 Scientifically Impossible Places That Actually Exist

The Crooked Forest

Poland’s Crooked Forest has long beckoned visitors with a penchant for the unusual. Science
suggests that the J-shaped trees that are growing within are an impossibility. Yet they’re here
for all to see — even if a reason for their misshapen nature cannot be explained.

There are countless theories about the Crooked Forest, but so far none has been proven or
disproven.

Known to local people as Krzywy Las, the forest can be found in Poland’s western fringes, not
far from the border with Germany. Some believe that invading tanks flattened young saplings
during World War II, causing the recovering trees to take such a strange shape.

But others have blamed aliens, gravitational fluctuations and the thick snowfall for which the
region is renowned — all without evidence or a convincing argument. It’s possible that the truth
is more mundane. Some claim the trees were manipulated by human hand to create tailor-made
shapes for construction purposes.
Kawah Ijen

The active Kawah Ijen Volcano in Banywang Regency, Java is one of the world’s most
extraordinary volcanoes. Instead of producing the usual red lava and black smoke, its
underground activities result in electric blue lava and flames rising into the air.

Kawah Ijen’s fabled blue lava has long drawn the curious to Java. Here, on this stunning
Indonesian island, the volcano’s spectacular eruptions are a sight to behold. The phenomenon
has long fascinated scientists. But although the colors cannot be questioned, the underlying
cause is not as most believe. The lava here is not originally blue, but becomes it due to a natural
phenomenon. Indeed, the volcano has some of the highest levels of sulfur in the world and
when the volcano’s sulfuric gases come into contact with air temperature above 360°C, the lava
turns blue.

Another interesting fact about this place is that it’s home to one of the world’s most dangerous
sulfur mining operations in the world. The working conditions are precarious, and the workers
being exposed to the toxic sulfur gases for long periods of time develop long-term health issues.
Interested in visiting? Don’t adventure here on your own. A really cool thing to do is a night
guided group tour to the volcano to see the blue flames phenomenon.
Hessdalen Lights

The Hessdalen Lights are beautiful — but baffling. Scientists have long pondered their cause.
But despite numerous investigations and research galore, the reason for this Norwegian
phenomenon remains unknown.

The Lights were first reported in the 1930s and have captivated visitors ever since. Sometimes
the show lasts for just a few short seconds. But on occasions, the bright yellow, white, red,
green and blue lights can shine for well over an hour.

Located in rural Norway, the Lights illuminate a 7.5 mile stretch of the Hessdalen Valley. They
can appear during the daytime or at night and appear to drift and float. But no-one knows why,
with scientists struggling to find an answer or offer an explanation. The Hessdalen Lights are
more prevalent during some periods than others — with sightings spiking in the 1980s, but
proving less common in recent times. This just adds to the mystery in a place that continues to
confound.
Lake Karachay

Planning a trip to Russia? This is a spot to avoid at all costs. Lake Karachay’s scenic shoreline
is considered the most polluted place on the planet. In the 1990s, tests revealed that just
standing close to the lake for a single hour would, in all likelihood, result in death.

The big problem here is radiation. For decades, the Soviets worked on a top secret atomic
bomb project in this remote region. The radioactive waste? It was all dumped into Lake
Karachay. Convenient, perhaps. But this came at quite a cost.

The landscape here might be beautiful, but it’s also deadly. Science might suggest that such
levels of radiation are impossible, but the slapdash Soviets have proved otherwise. The lake has
since been filled in, but risks remain, with the soil here presenting grave dangers to human
health. The Russian government has restricted access, meaning it’s impossible to visit — not
that you’d want to.
Bermuda Triangle

Science suggests that the Bermuda Triangle is a little more than a myth. Rational researchers
are adamant that this is the stuff of folklore, but doubts persist and anything seems possible.
The Bermuda Triangle covers a huge area in the North Atlantic Ocean, spanning more than
500,000 square miles.

It’s also known as the Devil’s Triangle or Hurricane Alley, as countless ships and planes are
said to have disappeared without a trace whilst in this area. But does this mean that the legend
is true?

Science suggest that the legend of the Bermuda Triangle is a manufactured mystery,
perpetuated by writers who either purposely or unknowingly made use of misconceptions, faulty
reasoning, and sensationalism. One explanation pins the blame on leftover technology from the
mythical lost continent of Atlantis when another says that unusual local magnetic anomalies may
exist in the area, confusing compasses and leading ships to get lost. There is also the myth that
violent storms occur in the triangles, sinking ships.

The Triangle is one of the busiest shipping lanes on Earth and experts think it’s not unusual that
vessels are lost here from time to time. But still, those entering the Bermuda Triangle often do
so with a deep sense of unease, the triangle legend enduring and not entirely proved wrong.
Double Tree

Tourists flock to Piedmont to see Italy’s famous Double Tree. Here — on a much-visited site,
between Grana and Casorzo — a cherry tree grows atop a mulberry. Science suggests that
such a thing should not be possible. But there can be no disputing the facts. This place — and
these trees — do actually exist.

Called the Double Tree of Casorzo — or Bialbero di Casorzo — this is quite an anomaly. It isn’t
unheard of for one tree to grow on top of another. But growth tends to be limited in such
instances, with neither tree able to thrive or to reach a significant size.

This is where Bialbero di Casorzo stands out, defying science and proving that anything is
possible. It is thought that, long ago, a bird must have dropped a cherry stone onto the mulberry
tree when flying overhead. This sounds plausible — but no-one could have imagined that it
would turn out quite like this.
Boiling River

Science suggests it isn’t possible for a river to reach such temperatures. Yet hidden deep in the
Peruvian Amazon, researchers have uncovered evidence to the contrary. Here, in Puerto Inca,
the Boiling River continues to defy scientific norms.

It isn’t quite boiling. But it is very hot. Located in Peru’s dense jungle, the Boiling River reaches
temperatures close to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Tempted to take a dip? You shouldn’t. The
waters here are hot enough to burn — and in some instances, kill.

The Boiling River is a sacred place and local shaman believe the waters have healing powers.
Scientists have long been baffled and explaining this place is difficult. But it’s thought
underwater fault lines are responsible — the waters being heated deep underground before
being pushed back to the surface. The Boiling River ranks amongst the largest geothermal
features on Earth. It’s hard to believe such a place actually exists, but there’s no arguing with
the evidence.
The Petrifying Well

It was once thought that witchcraft was at play in North Yorkshire. Here, not far from
Knaresborough, a well that was said to turn objects to stone appeared to be doing the
impossible. Mother Shipton — a much-feared local witch and oracle — was blamed for such
sorcery. There are still some who think that not all is as it should be here, although science
suggests otherwise.

Mother Shipton was associated with several tragic events having made it her business to predict
certain horrors that she claimed would befall England’s Tudor reign. The Petrifying Well left local
people terrified in the 1600s.

Items that came into contact with its waters, it was said, would turn to stone. It has since been
discovered that the water’s high mineral content can have a petrifying effect. It doesn’t make for
such a good story — but it’s a more likely explanation than witchcraft.
The Sargasso Sea

Sargasso is a sea within a sea, a body of water with no land boundaries, surrounded on all
sides by four ocean currents. The North Atlantic waters in which it sits are cold and rough, but
the Sargasso Sea is strangely calm and warm.

Some 2000 miles long and 700 miles wide, the Sargasso Sea is sizeable. But it’s not its scale
that sets this place apart. The Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Current, Canary Current and North
Atlantic Equatorial Current swirl around its fringes.

But within its watery boundaries, all is tranquil, the warm blue waters offering a sanctuary to
countless creatures. The conditions here encourage the sargassum to grow — a type of
seaweed that gives the sea its name. This attracts nesting sea turtles and ensures a unique
environment that appeals to the inquisitive.
Catatumbo Lightning

We all heard the saying “lightning never strikes the same place twice”. Well, at lake Maracaibo
in Venezuela, lightning can strike up to 280 times an hour and last for 10 hours a day. Called
Catatumbo Lightning, this is an atmospheric phenomenon that just goes on and on and on.

It is thought the region’s unique topography and wind patterns contribute to this unique
phenomenon, but the precise reason is unclear, with this an occurrence that continues to puzzle
the country’s brightest scientific minds. When the storm clouds gather high above the mouth of
the Catatumbo River, you know you’re in for a show.

There’s more. There’s no thunder, with the lightning strikes taking place in a deafening silence
that can be a little eerie. Then there are the colors, with the darkening skies here lit in red,
orange, pink and blue. Catatumbo Lightning can be seen, on average, on 160 days a year —
making for a natural phenomenon that demands to be seen. Interested? You can join a guided
night tour to witness the spectacle and explore the tropical savannas nearby. Make sure to pack
your camera!