20 jaw-dropping places on Earth that look like an alien planet
地球上20个外星奇景
For centuries, humanity has dreamed of exploring distant planets. With the upcoming Artemis 2 mission taking astronauts around the moon, NASA is taking its first steps toward future crewed missions to Mars in the 2030s and 2040s.
几个世纪以来，人类始终梦想着探索遥远星球。阿耳忒弥斯2号任务即将带着宇航员开启绕月飞行之旅，美国宇航局正迈出实现2030年代和2040年代载人火星任务的第一步。
But you don't need to leave Earth to experience landscapes that feel out of this world. From volcanic terrains to vast deserts, our planet is filled with extraordinary destinations that make you feel like you've stepped onto another planet. No spacecraft required — just a passport and a plane ticket. Explore some of the most stunning, alien-like places Earth has to offer.
其实你无需离开地球也能体验到仿佛置身外星的奇妙景观。从火山地貌到广袤无垠的沙漠，我们的星球上遍布着许多令人惊叹的“外星”奇景。无需乘坐宇宙飞船，只需一本护照和一张机票，你就能踏上探索之旅，去探寻地球上那些最独特、最超凡脱俗的地方。
Related: 10 Earth impact craters you must see
相关：地球上10个你一定要看的撞击坑
Mono Lake, located in California near Yosemite National Park, is one of North America's oldest lakes, over a million years old. Its unique environment is defined by extreme salinity — 2.5 times that of ocean water — and high alkalinity conditions caused by the evaporation of freshwater that has left behind salts and minerals washed in from Eastern Sierra streams.
莫诺湖位于加利福尼亚州约塞米蒂国家公园附近，是北美最古老的湖泊之一，已有超过100万年的历史。由于淡水蒸发后，从东部塞拉山脉溪流冲刷而来的盐分和矿物质残留所造成的极高盐度（是海水的2.5倍）和强碱性条件形成其独特的生态环境。
The lake is particularly famous for its dramatic tufa towers — calcium-carbonate spires formed by the interaction of freshwater springs and the alkaline lake water that looks like something straight out of Sci-Fi.
该湖以其壮观的石灰华塔而闻名遐迩——这些碳酸钙尖顶是由淡水泉与碱性湖水相互作用形成的，这样独特的外观仿佛是科幻小说照进现实。
The lake's ecosystem supports a vast array of wildlife, serving as a crucial resting spot for 1 to 2 million migratory birds annually. Mono Lake’s otherworldly landscape, with towering tufa formations and sparkling winter snow, makes it a popular destination for photographers and nature enthusiasts.
莫诺湖的生态系统为大量野生动物提供了栖息地，每年更是多达100万至200万只候鸟在此停歇。其超凡脱俗的景观——高耸的石灰华地层、闪闪发光的冬雪，使其成为摄影师和自然爱好者的热门打卡地。
Vatnajokull glacier is the second-largest glacier in Europe. It covers 3,130 square miles (8,100 square kilometers) — 8% of Iceland's landmass — according to the travel website Guide to Iceland.
Vatnajökull冰川是欧洲第二大冰川。据旅游网站《冰岛指南》介绍，其面积达3130平方英里（约8100平方公里），占冰岛陆地面积的8%。
The monumental glacier is over 3,000 feet (900 m) deep in some places and conceals several active volcanoes below its surface, the most famous being Grímsvötn, Öræfajökull and Bárðarbunga. Geologists believe volcanic eruptions from this region are overdue and that we could therefore see significant activity within the next 50 years.
这座庞大的冰川在某些区域厚度超过3000英尺（约900米），冰层之下掩藏着多座活火山，其中最著名的是格里姆斯沃特火山、厄法冰库尔火山和巴尔扎尔邦加火山。地质学家认为，该地区的火山活动已经“逾期”，未来50年内可能会迎来一次重大喷发。
Vatnajökull is also home to enchanting ice caves like the one pictured above, with glacier and ice cave tours available during the winter months.
瓦特纳冰川也是如上图所示的迷人冰洞的所在地，冬季提供冰川和冰洞之旅。
The glacier is shrinking year by year due to warming global temperatures; its thickness has decreased on average by about 3 feet (0.9 m) per year for the past 15 years.
由于全球气温变暖，冰川逐年萎缩；在过去的15年里，它的厚度平均每年减少约3英尺（0.9米）。
Lake Hillier, located on Middle Island, Western Australia, definitely looks like it belongs on another planet. The stark contrast between the pink lake, dark blue waters of the Indian Ocean and the luscious green forest are remarkable.
位于西澳大利亚中部的希利尔湖仿佛是外星球的产物。粉红色的湖水与深蓝色的印度洋以及周边郁郁葱葱的绿色森林形成了鲜明对比，令人惊叹不已。
According to the travel website Hiller Lake, scientists are not 100% sure how the lake gets its rosy pink hue. The most likely suspect is the Dunaliella salina microalgae found in the lake, which produce carotenoids — a red pigment. But halophilic "salt-loving" bacteria in the salt crusts may also play a role. It has also been suggested that a reaction between the salt and sodium bicarbonate could be altering the color of the lake.
根据旅游网站《希利尔湖》的说法，科学家们尚未完全确定希利尔湖呈现粉红色的确切原因。目前最被广泛接受的理论是湖水中存在的杜氏盐藻（Dunaliella salina）所起的作用。这种微藻在高盐度环境中能够产生类胡萝卜素，这是一种红色色素，被认为是湖水呈现粉红色的主要原因。此外，湖中的嗜盐细菌（如Salinibacter ruber）也可能对湖水的颜色产生影响。不过，也有观点认为湖水中的盐和碳酸氢钠之间的化学反应可能会影响其颜色。
The mysterious salmon-pink lake is approximately 2000 feet (600 m) long and 820 ft (250 m) wide and is best viewed from the air.
这个神秘的鲑鱼粉色的湖泊长约2000英尺（约600米），宽约820英尺（约250米），从空中俯瞰时最为壮观。
The Giant's Causeway, a geological wonder in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, is nearly 60 million years in the making. The alien landscape was formed by volcanic eruptions when molten lava cooled and cracked into the iconic hexagonal basalt columns, according to the National Trust. Over time, erosion and further lava flows shaped the stunning landscape seen today.
巨人堤道是位于北爱尔兰安特里姆郡的地质奇观，已有近6000万年的历史。据国家信托基金会介绍，这外星般的景观源于古老的火山爆发。当时，熔岩冷却后破裂，形成了标志性的六边形玄武岩石柱。经过漫长的岁月，侵蚀作用以及后续的熔岩流动共同塑造了如今令人叹为观止的景观。
Beyond its natural history, the Causeway is steeped in legend. The most famous tale involves the Irish giant Finn McCool, who is said to have built the causeway to cross the Irish Sea and confront his Scottish rival, Benandonner. Another lesser-known version tells of Finn constructing the Causeway for love, only to face storms that destroyed his efforts, leaving the structure in ruins.
除了其自然历史，巨人堤道还蕴含着丰富的传说。其中最著名的故事是关于爱尔兰巨人芬恩·麦克库尔的。据说，他为了与苏格兰对手贝南多纳对抗，建造了一条穿越爱尔兰海的堤道。另一个不太为人所知的版本则讲述芬恩为爱建造了这条堤道，但一场毁灭性的风暴摧毁了他的努力，使其成为一片废墟。
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, the Giant’s Causeway is recognized for its exceptional natural beauty and geological significance.
巨人堤道于1986年被联合国教科文组织列为世界遗产，因其卓越的自然景观和重要的地质价值而闻名于世。
If you fancy swapping a night under the stars for a different kind of light show, New Zealand's famous glowworm caves may be just the ticket.
如果你厌倦了星空下的夜晚，新西兰著名的萤火虫洞或许会是你的绝佳选择，为你带来另一种独特的灯光秀。
According to NewZealand.com, the Waitomo Caves offer some of the best glowworm sights in the country. Take a trip through the Waitomo Caves either by boat, kayak or on foot and gaze up at the thousands of glowworms that call these caves home. The unique environment looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, with strange creatures illuminating the way like a star-studded sky.
据NewZealand.com报道，怀托莫洞穴是新西兰观赏萤火虫的最佳地点之一。游客可以乘船、划皮划艇或步行穿越怀托莫洞穴，欣赏洞顶成千上万的萤火虫。这些独特的生物仿佛拼凑出一片闪烁的星空，宛如科幻电影中的场景。
Glowworms produce light via a chemical reaction, in a process known as bioluminescence, according to the Natural History Museum in London.
根据伦敦自然历史博物馆的介绍，萤火虫通过一种化学反应产生光芒，这一现象被称为生物发光。
Wadi Rum is a desert covering 277 square miles (717 square kilometers) located in South Jordan, according to the travel website WadiRum.jo. While exploring the dramatic wilderness, you'd be forgiven for thinking you've just set foot on Mars. With wide sandy valleys over a mile (1700 meters) high, smooth red dunes and mesmerizing rock formations, Wadi Rum is a wondrous place.
根据旅游网站WadiRum.jo，瓦迪鲁姆是位于约旦南部的一片沙漠，面积达277平方英里（717平方公里）。当你在这片戏剧性的荒野中探险时，你会觉得自己仿佛刚刚踏上火星，这种感觉合乎情理。瓦迪鲁姆拥有宽阔的沙谷（超过一英里，即1700米高）、光滑的红色沙丘以及迷人的岩层，是一个令人惊叹的地方。
British liaison officer Thomas Edward Lawrence served with rebel forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks in the early 20th century. He described Wadi Rum as "vast, echoing, and God-like", according to the travel website Wadi Rum Nomads.
英国联络官托马斯·爱德华·劳伦斯（T.E. Lawrence）在20世纪初的阿拉伯起义中，作为英国联络官协助阿拉伯人反抗奥斯曼帝国统治。根据旅游网站Wadi Rum Nomads的描述，劳伦斯曾将瓦迪鲁姆（Wadi Rum）称为“广阔、回响、神一样的地方”，这片沙漠的壮丽景观和独特地貌给他留下了深刻的印象。
Lawrence wrote a book about the period called the "Seven Pillars of Wisdom," which was later made into the famous 1962 movie "Lawrence of Arabia." Several scenes from the movie were filmed in Wadi Rum, according to IMDB.
劳伦斯根据他在阿拉伯起义期间的经历撰写了《智慧的七大支柱》一书。1962年，根据这本书改编的同名电影《阿拉伯的劳伦斯》成为经典。据IMDb和相关资料，电影的许多场景在约旦的瓦迪鲁姆拍摄。
The Grand Prismatic Spring is the most photographed thermal feature in Yellowstone National Park, according to adventure publisher Outside.
据探险出版商Outside报道，大棱镜泉是黄石国家公园中最“热”的热泉景观。
According to the U.S. National Park Service, the ring of vivid colors measures 200 to 300 feet (60 to 90 meters) in diameter and 121 feet (36 m) deep — it's no wonder this striking spring is so popular with photographers and tourists alike.
根据美国国家公园管理局的数据，大棱镜泉的彩色环直径在200到300英尺（60到90米）之间，深度达到121英尺（36米）。凭借其绚丽多彩的外观，这一壮观的热泉自然成为摄影师和游客的热门打卡地。
The superheated spring is also a sought-after location for microscopic organisms known as thermophiles, which thrive in hot environments. ("Thermo" means heat, and "phile" means lover.) The hardiest of the thermophiles that live in the hottest water are colorless or yellow, whereas the orange, brown and green thermophiles live in the not-so-hot waters around the edge of the spring.
大棱镜泉的高温泉水是嗜热菌的栖息地，这些微生物在极端高温环境中茁壮成长。其中，“Thermo”意为“热”，而“phile”意为“爱好者”。生活在最热水中的嗜热菌通常是无色或黄色的，而橙色、棕色和绿色的嗜热菌则栖息在泉水边缘温度较低的区域。
Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) located on the Big Island of Hawaii is just one of many lava tubes on the island.
位于夏威夷大岛的Nāhuku（瑟斯顿熔岩管）仅仅是岛上众多熔岩管中的一处。
Lava tubes form when rivers of molten lava flow through natural channels, cooling at the edges and eventually creating a crust that insulates the lava underneath. As the flow continues, thermal erosion deepens the tunnel until the eruption stops, leaving behind an empty conduit. Over time, these caves become home to unique ecosystems, including cave-adapted species like crickets and spiders and microbial colonies found nowhere else in the world.
当熔岩在自然通道中流动时，熔岩管便逐渐形成。熔岩在边缘冷却后，逐渐形成一层外壳，将下方的熔岩与外界隔离。随着熔岩的持续流动，热侵蚀作用不断加深隧道的深度。直到火山喷发停止，熔岩流干涸，最终留下一个空洞的管道。随着时间推移，这些熔岩管洞穴逐渐成为独特生态系统的栖息地，孕育了适应洞穴环境的生物，如蟋蟀和蜘蛛，以及仅在这些地方发现的微生物群落。
Lava tubes also hold cultural significance for Native Hawaiians, offering shelter from the elements and enemies. They were used to store food, gather drinking water, and serve as sacred sites for burials and ceremonies. The national park protects these sacred caves, restricting public access to preserve their cultural and environmental importance.
对夏威夷原住民而言，熔岩管不仅具有重要的文化意义，还曾是他们在恶劣天气和敌人来袭时的避难所。这些洞穴曾被用于储存食物、收集饮用水，并作为墓葬和仪式的神圣场所。如今，国家公园将这些洞穴视为受保护的圣地，限制公众进入，以维护其文化和生态价值。
Lava tubes could play a crucial role in the future of human settlements on the moon and Mars. Due to their natural shielding properties, these underground structures protect from extreme temperatures, cosmic radiation, and micrometeorite impacts — issues that pose significant challenges for surface habitats.
熔岩管在未来人类在月球和火星上的定居中可能发挥至关重要的作用。其天然的屏蔽特性使其能够有效抵御极端温度、宇宙辐射和微陨石撞击，这些因素对地表栖息地构成了重大挑战。
Read more: Living underground on the Moon: How lava tubes could aid lunar colonization
阅读更多：月球地下生活——熔岩管如何助力月球殖民
The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the largest salt flat in the world, spanning over 3,800 square miles (10,000 square km), according to the European Space Agency. The colossal salt flat is so large it can be seen from space.
据欧洲航天局称，玻利维亚的乌尤尼盐沼是世界上最大的盐滩，面积超过10,000平方公里（约4,000平方英里）。由于其面积广阔且反射率高，乌尤尼盐沼甚至可以从太空中清晰看到。
The salt flat can reach depths of 32 feet (10 m) in its center. According to the travel website Salardeuyuni.com, Salar de Uyuni contains over 10 billion tons of salt. Interestingly, 70% of the world's lithium reserves are also found beneath the monumental salt flat.
乌尤尼盐沼的中心区域盐层厚度可达10米。据旅游网站Salardeuyuni.com称，整个盐沼含有超过100亿吨盐。此外，乌尤尼盐沼还拥有丰富的锂资源，其锂储量约占全球已探明锂资源的70%。
These alluring salt flats in Bolivia's surreal Altiplano are a must-visit for those eager to experience something extraordinary.
玻利维亚超现实的阿尔蒂普拉诺高原上的这些迷人盐滩，是那些追求独特体验的人不容错过的旅行目的地。
The towering red dunes in Sossusvlei are some of the tallest in the world, reaching nearly 1,300 feet (400 m), according to the travel website Sossusvlei. It's no surprise that they're one of the most visited attractions in Namibia.
据旅游网站Sossusvlei称，Sossusvlei高耸的红色沙丘是世界上最高的沙丘之一，高达近1300英尺（400米）。毫无疑问，这是纳米比亚游客最多的景点之一。
The Martian-like environment is situated in the largest conservation area in Africa, the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The word Sossusvlei translates to "dead- end" and refers to the dunes preventing the Tsauchab River from flowing any further.
类似火星的环境位于非洲最大的保护区——纳米布-瑙克卢夫特国家公园。其中的索苏斯维利（Sossusvlei）一词翻译过来意为“死胡同”，指的是那些阻挡了Tsauchab河继续流动的沙丘。
It has taken millions of years for the wind to sculpt these famous red dunes. The dune-forming dust comes from the Orange River — the longest river in South Africa. The dust flows into the Atlantic Ocean, where the Benguela current carries it northward. It then washes ashore, is carried by the wind and deposited inland.
这些著名的红色沙丘是经过数百万年的风力作用塑造而成的。形成沙丘的尘土源自南非最长的河流——奥兰治河。河流携带的尘埃流入大西洋后，被本格拉寒流向北推送。随后，尘埃被冲上岸，被风吹向内陆并逐渐沉积，最终形成了如今壮观的沙丘。
Lençois Maranhenses National Park contains vast swathes of white dunes sweeping across the otherworldly landscape. According to the travel website Lonely Planet, from May to September rainwater fills the crystal-clear pools, which are offset by striking white dunes.
伦索瓦马拉尼塞斯国家公园（Lençóis Maranhenses National Park）拥有大片白色沙丘，这些沙丘在雨季时被雨水填满，形成清澈的泻湖，与白色沙丘形成鲜明对比。据旅游网站孤独星球报道，每年5月至9月是观赏这一独特景观的最佳时节，此时泻湖水量充沛，景色最为壮观。
The enchanting dunescape stretches over 43 miles (70 km) along the coast and over 30 miles (50 km) inland. Lençois translates as "bedsheets" in Portuguese and refers to the rolling white dunes that dominate the landscape.
这片迷人的沙丘景观沿着海岸线延伸超过70公里（43英里），并向内陆延伸超过50公里（30英里）。在葡萄牙语中，“Lençóis”意为“床单”，象征着这片区域内连绵起伏的白色沙丘，宛如覆盖在大地上的巨大白色床单。
The national park is best visited in June, July and August, when the lagoons are at their best, according to Lonely Planet.
据《孤独星球》报道，伦索伊斯-马拉尼恩斯国家公园的最佳参观时间是每年的6月至8月。在这段时间内，雨季的降水会将沙丘间的低洼地带注满，形成清澈的泻湖，与白色的沙丘形成鲜明对比，景色最为壮观。
The Danakil Depression, Ethiopia, is one of the most inhospitable and alien places on Earth. Known as the "gateway to hell" according to the BBC, the Danakil Depression is probably the closest you'll ever be able to come to standing on the surface of Venus (without the crushing atmosphere, of course). Choking sulphuric acid and chlorine gases fill the air, while acid ponds and geysers pepper the landscape.
据英国广播公司报道，埃塞俄比亚的达纳基尔洼地是地球上最荒凉、最陌生的地方之一。这里被称为“地狱之门”，其极端的环境条件使其成为地球上最接近金星表面的地方之一（当然，没有令人窒息的大气层）。空气中弥漫着令人窒息的硫酸和氯气，而酸性池塘和间歇泉点缀着这片荒芜的景观。
According to the BBC, temperatures in this region regularly reach 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius), making it one of the hottest places on Earth.
据英国广播公司报道，该地区的气温经常达到113华氏度（45摄氏度），是地球上最热的地方之一。
Related: What is the average temperature on Earth?
相关：地球上的平均温度是多少？
The Danakil Depression lies over 330 feet (100 m) below sea level in a rift valley. Rift valleys are formed when tectonic plates move apart at a "divergent plate boundary," according to The Geological Society. The underlying volcanic activity sculpts the landscape as Earth is pulled apart at the seams. Some of the Danakil Depression features can even be seen from space, according to NASA Earth Observatory.
达纳基尔洼地位于海平面以下100米（330英尺）的裂谷之中。地质学会指出，当构造板块在“发散板块边界”分离时，裂谷便由此形成。随着地壳在这些接缝处被拉开，潜在的火山活动进一步塑造了该地区的独特景观。美国宇航局地球天文台的数据显示，达纳基尔洼地的某些标志性特征甚至能够在太空中清晰辨认。
On the south coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, lava from the Kilauea volcano spews into the Pacific Ocean, creating striking scenes along the rugged coastline.
在夏威夷大岛的南岸，基拉韦厄火山的熔岩流入太平洋，沿着崎岖的海岸线形成了一幅壮观的景象。
Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, according to the travel website Go Hawaii. It is located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, about 45 miles (72 km) southwest of the vibrant town of Hilo.
据旅游网站Go Hawaii称，基拉韦厄火山是世界上最活跃的火山之一。它位于夏威夷火山国家公园内，距离充满活力的希洛镇西南约45英里（72公里）。
According to the volcano tourism website Volcano Discovery, Kilauea has been continually erupting since 1983. During that time, lava flows from the volcano have covered more than 38 square miles (100 square km) and destroyed almost 200 homes.
据火山旅游网站Volcano Discovery报道，自1983年起，基拉韦厄火山一直处于持续喷发状态。在此期间，火山喷发的熔岩流覆盖了超过100平方公里（约38平方英里）的区域，并摧毁了近200栋房屋。
For the latest eruption updates, see the travel website Hawaii Guide and keep informed about the most recent lava news.
有关基拉韦厄火山喷发的更新信息，可以访问旅游网站夏威夷指南，了解最新的熔岩动态。
Pamukkale, known as the "Cotton Castle" of Turkey, is a serene landscape dotted with mineral pools surrounded by white "cotton-like" shelves and ridges.
棉花堡，被称为土耳其的“棉花城堡”，是一处宁静的景观，点缀着矿泉池，周围环绕着白色的“棉花状”台阶和山脊。
The unique landscape was created when a spring with a high concentration of calcium bicarbonate spilled over the edge of a cliff and cascaded down the side. The water leaves behind the white calcium deposits we see today, according to the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
当富含碳酸氢钙的泉水从悬崖边缘溢出并沿着斜坡流淌时，便形成了这一独特的景观。据土耳其文化和旅游部介绍，泉水中的矿物质沉积形成了我们今天看到的白色钙化层。
Tourists from far and wide flock to Pamukkale to relax in the calm waters and the myriad spas that have sprung up across the region.
游客们从世界各地纷至沓来，涌入棉花堡，在平静的海水和众多的温泉中尽情放松身心。
Rainbow Mountain is located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, about 17,000 feet (5,200 m) above sea level, according to the Rainbow Mountain tourism website. The streaked mountain is famed for its technicolor appearance, which is created by different mineral sediments.
根据彩虹山旅游网站介绍，彩虹山位于秘鲁安第斯山脉，海拔约5200米。其山体岩石色彩斑斓、纹理分明，呈现出绿松石、薰衣草、栗色和金色等多种颜色，这些色彩是由不同矿物质沉积形成的。
Until recently, this rainbow jewel of the Andes was undiscovered, hidden beneath a blanket of snow. As the snow melted, the hidden gem was revealed, and the area now attracts hundreds of visitors every day.
在此之前，这座安第斯山脉中的彩虹宝石被厚厚的积雪覆盖而鲜为人知。随着积雪消融，这座隐藏的奇观逐渐展露真容，如今该地区每天吸引着数百名游客前来观赏。
Rainbow Mountain is also known as Vinicunca, according to the official tourism website Rainbow Mountain Peru. The word Vinicunca originates from Quechua — an indigenous language of Peru — and translates to "colored mountain".
据秘鲁官方旅游网站介绍，彩虹山也被称为Vinicunca。Vinicunca一词源自秘鲁的土著语言盖丘亚语，意为“彩色的山”。
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, located in China's Wulingyuan Scenic Area, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and striking geological formations. Spanning 18.59 square miles (48.15 sq km), the park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which covers 153.5 square miles (397.5 sq km). Famous for its pillar-like rock formations, the park’s quartz-sandstone pillars were shaped by physical erosion and abundant rainfall.
张家界国家森林公园位于中国武陵源风景区，以令人惊叹的景观和独特的地质构造闻名于世。公园面积为48.15平方公里（18.59平方英里），是联合国教科文组织世界遗产地的一部分，整个遗产地面积达397.5平方公里（153.5平方英里）。张家界国家森林公园以其标志性的柱状岩层而著称，这些石英砂岩柱是经过长期的物理侵蚀和丰富降雨作用形成的。
The dramatic, otherworldly scene bears a striking resemblance to the floating mountains of Pandora in the movie Avatar. Hallelujah Mountain, originally known as Qiankun Pillar, is a towering peak in Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains. Its unique vertical shape and height of over 3,300 ft (1,000) inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountain in Avatar.
这个超凡脱俗、极具戏剧性的景观与电影《阿凡达》中潘多拉星球的漂浮山脉有着惊人的相似之处。哈利路亚山，原名乾坤柱，是张家界“阿凡达山脉”中一座高耸的山峰。其独特的垂直形态和超过1000米（3300英尺）的高度，启发了电影中漂浮的哈利路亚山的设计。
The electric-blue rivers ejected from Kawah Ijen volcano in eastern Java look like something from another world.
东爪哇的卡瓦伊真火山（Kawah Ijen）喷发出的电蓝色熔岩流，看起来仿佛来自另一个星球。
Contrary to what is commonly reported, the lava itself is not blue. The striking color is a result of volcanic sulfur emissions. According to Geology.com, the volcano emits sulfurous gases that ignite when they meet Earth's oxygen-rich atmosphere and burn with a rich blue flame. When the sulfurous gas condenses, it produces the infamous blue rivers that illuminate the volcanic landscape at night.
与通常报道的相反，熔岩本身并非蓝色。这种引人注目的蓝色现象实际上是火山硫排放的结果。据Geology.com报道，卡瓦伊真火山（Kawah Ijen）会释放出含硫气体，当这些气体与地球富氧大气接触时会被点燃，并燃烧出浓郁的蓝色火焰。当含硫气体凝结并沿着山坡流动时，会形成类似蓝色河流的视觉效果，这种现象在夜间尤为显著，照亮了火山的夜间景观。
According to Smithsonian Magazine, the eerie blue glow is only visible at night because it's the flames that are blue rather than the lava itself. It looks like any other volcano during the daytime.
据史密森尼杂志报道，卡瓦伊真火山（Kawah Ijen）的蓝色火焰并非源自熔岩本身，而是在夜晚，火山裂缝中喷出的含硫气体在与氧气接触后被点燃，燃烧时发出幽蓝色的光芒。这种现象在白天并不明显，因为光线较强且周围环境中有大量凝固的硫磺。只有在夜间，尤其是在凌晨时分，这种蓝色火焰才会显得格外醒目，成为卡瓦伊真火山的独特景观。
The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is one of the driest and most desolate places on Earth.
智利北部的阿塔卡马沙漠是地球上最干燥、最荒凉的地方之一。
Spanning over 40,000 square miles (103,000 square km), it is a harsh yet breathtaking landscape of sand, rock, and salt flats. Located at an altitude of 7,900 feet (2,408 m), this high desert receives less than 15 millimeters of rain per year, making it one of the driest places on the planet. Despite its extreme conditions, the Atacama is home to stunning geological formations like the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), with its cracked earth and towering salt pillars, and the Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley), whose chasms and ravines present an inhospitable terrain.
这片广袤的沙漠面积超过10.3万平方公里（4万平方英里），由沙子、岩石和盐滩构成，呈现出一片严酷而壮丽的景观。阿塔卡马沙漠海拔2408米（7900英尺），年降雨量不足15毫米，是地球上最干燥的地区之一。尽管环境条件极为恶劣，这里却拥有令人惊叹的地质奇观，例如月亮谷，其龟裂的土壤和高耸的盐柱宛如月球表面；还有死亡谷，其峡谷和沟壑展现出一片荒芜的地形。
The desert's hostile environment is contrasted by its role as a stargazing haven. With its high altitude and clear skies, the Atacama boasts some of the world's best astronomical observatories, including the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). The desert also provides an unparalleled simulation of Martian conditions, with its harsh, arid landscape and intense ultraviolet radiation. Scientists frequently use the Atacama as a testing ground for Mars-bound rovers, taking advantage of its extreme environment to replicate the challenges of the Red Planet.
阿塔卡马沙漠的极端环境与它作为观星天堂的角色形成了鲜明对比。凭借高海拔、干燥的气候以及晴朗的夜空，阿塔卡马沙漠成为全球最佳的天文观测地点之一。这里聚集了世界上许多顶尖的天文台，包括阿塔卡马大型毫米/亚毫米波阵列（ALMA）。此外，阿塔卡马沙漠的环境条件与火星极为相似，强烈的紫外线辐射、干旱的地形以及稀薄的大气使其成为科学家研究火星的理想模拟场所。美国宇航局（NASA）等机构经常在这里测试火星车和相关设备，以模拟火星上的极端环境。
Deep in the heart of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam is Han Son Doong — the largest cave in the world. According to the Son Doong Cave tourism website, the average passage size for Han Son Doong is 220 feet (67 m). The cave is, on average, 656 feet (200 m) high and nearly 500 feet (150 m) wide.
在越南峰芽克邦国家公园的深处，坐落着世界上最大的洞穴——韩松洞（Hang Son Doong）。根据相关报道，韩松洞的平均通道高度为200米，宽度接近150米。这个巨大的洞穴内部空间广阔，甚至可以容纳一架波音747飞机通过。
In 2019, Han Son Doong's known size increased greatly when an underwater tunnel connecting the cave to another cave was discovered, according to an article published in Lonely Planet.
根据《孤独星球》2019年的报道，韩松洞（Hang Son Doong）的规模在2019年得到了进一步确认。当时，英国潜水员在韩松洞的水下隧道中发现了一条连接到另一个大型洞穴——Hang Thung的通道。这一发现使得韩松洞的已知体积增加了约160万立方米，进一步巩固了其作为世界上最大洞穴的地位。
The otherworldy cave is large enough to house a block of New York City containing 40-story skyscrapers and is home to the world's largest stalagmites, which measure up to 260 ft (80 m), according to the Doong Cave tourism website.
据Doong Cave旅游网站报道，韩松洞（Hang Son Doong）的规模极为宏大，其内部空间广阔到足以容纳纽约市一个包含40层摩天大楼的街区。此外，韩松洞还拥有世界上最大的石笋之一，高度达到262英尺（约80米），比此前的世界纪录保持者还要高。
What do you get if you cross human error and geothermal pressure? A 12-ft-tall (3.5 meters) alien-looking structure.
如果排除人为错误和地热压力的影响，你将看到什么？一座高达12英尺（3.5米）的外星风格建筑。
Fly Geyser is a technicolor geyser situated on Fly Ranch in the middle of the Nevada desert. The structure spews out hot water, creating shallow pools home to hardy thermophilic algae that flourish in moist, hot environments, according to the tourism website Reno Tahoe.
苍蝇间歇泉是一座位于内华达沙漠中部的彩色间歇泉，坐落在苍蝇牧场内。据旅游网站Reno Tahoe介绍，它喷出的热水形成了浅水池，为耐寒嗜热藻类提供了理想的栖息环境，这些藻类在潮湿且炎热的环境中茁壮成长。
The geyser was created by accident in 1964 when a geothermal energy company drilled the site in a bid to tap into the hot water below. But the water wasn't hot enough to be useful to the energy company, so the site was sealed up. According to Reno Tahoe, the well was improperly plugged and the scalding hot water pierced through the surface, creating the bizarre three-mound geyser we see today.
苍蝇间歇泉偶然形成于1964年。当时，一家地热能公司在该地区钻探，试图利用地下热水资源。然而，由于水温不够高，未能达到地热能利用的标准，该钻探项目最终被废弃。但由于钻井被不当堵塞，滚烫的热水从地下喷出，穿透地表，形成了如今我们看到的奇特景观。
Explore Han Son Doong with this virtual tour from National Geographic. Learn more about the Danakil Depression and see what trips are available with the tourism website Brilliant Ethiopia. Discover why sulfuric gases can produce the infamous blue flames at Kawah Ijen volcano with this article from Interesting Engineering.
通过《国家地理》的虚拟之旅，探索韩松洞的神秘世界。深入了解达纳基尔洼地的独特景观，并通过旅游网站“辉煌埃塞俄比亚”了解相关旅行线路。阅读来自“有趣工程”的文章，了解卡瓦伊真火山为何会产生标志性的蓝色火焰。
National Park Service. Grand Prismatic Spring
国家公园管理局。大棱柱弹簧
Wadi Rum Protected Area
瓦迪朗姆保护区
Guide to Iceland, Vatnajökull Travel Guide
冰岛指南，Vatnajökull旅游指南
New Zealand tourist website, glowworm caves
新西兰旅游网站，萤火虫洞
ESA, Uyuni salt flat, Bolivia
欧空局，玻利维亚乌尤尼盐滩
Sossusvlei, Welcome to the land that time forgot
Sossusvlei，欢迎来到被时间遗忘的土地
Hiller Lake, the pink lake of Australia
希勒湖，澳大利亚的粉红湖
Lonely Planet Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
孤独星球伦索伊斯马拉尼塞斯国家公园
The Geological Society, Plate Tectonic Stories, East African Rift Valley, East Africa
地质学会，板块构造故事，东非大裂谷，东非
NASA Earth Observatory, Curiosities of the Danakil Depression
美国宇航局地球天文台，达纳基尔洼地的奇观
The Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
夏威夷群岛，夏威夷火山国家公园
Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Pamukkale
土耳其共和国文化和旅游部，棉花堡
Rainbow Mountain Peru, official information website.
秘鲁彩虹山，官方信息网站。
Geology.com, Kawah Ijen Volcano. Blue flames and the largest highly acidic lake in the world.
Geology.com，伊真火山火山口。蓝色火焰和世界上最大的高酸性湖泊。
National Park Service, Lava Tubes.
国家公园管理局，熔岩管。
California State Parks, Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
加州州立公园，莫诺湖石灰华州立自然保护区
National Geographic, Exploring Chile's Atacama Desert
国家地理，探索智利阿塔卡马沙漠
China Discovery, Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie: Location, Itinerary & Visiting Tips
中国探索，张家界阿凡达山脉：地点、行程和参观提示
Global Alliance of National Parks, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
全球国家公园联盟、张家界国家森林公园
National Trust, History of Giant's Causeway
国民信托，巨人堤道的历史
