Badab-e Surt, Iran
Badab-e Surt's one of the most uncommon, wonderful, and odd places on earth, and it's in Iran. Water pools iridescently collect on rust-colored travertine beds. Colorful puddles cover each layer of rock at Iran's Badab-e Surt, transforming the naturally formed terraces into an exquisite sight ablaze with fiery hues. The scenery is stunning.
Badab-e Surt is a rare geological masterpiece that was formed between the Pleistocene and Pliocene epochs. There are only a few places like this in the world. A comparable natural wonder has already perished.
This location was created by nature as a result of two different mineral hot springs bubbling water down the mountain from above 6,000 feet for thousands of years. The carbonate minerals in the water were left behind as it cooled, forming a jelly-like substance that later hardened to give the slope its current staircase-like shape.
One of the hot springs spouts salty water with purported therapeutic benefits. It is purported to treat illnesses like rheumatism and specific skin conditions. The water's lovely orange tint is caused by the other spring, which spews a sour sediment rich in oxide. Combining the Persian words for "gassed water" and the former name of the neighboring village, which means "intensity," gave rise to the name of the location.
The puddles glow with the red, orange, and yellow tones found in the underlying rock when the light hits the terraces just right. Sky and cloud reflections will occasionally add swirls of blue and gray to the mix, creating a watercolor palette bursting with rich natural hues.
Even though Badab-e Surt can be challenging to find, it's a location worth looking for. Nearly 60 miles separate it from Sari City. There are long stretches of unpaved mountain passes and winding, isolated roads to get there.
Location: Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran
