Everyone loves an optical illusion (even if they utterly baffle us), and they are all around us in nature. We only have to know where to look.
While magicians are known for deceiving audiences with optical illusions, there’s no magic more spectacular than nature itself. In fact, there are several natural landmarks on Earth that play visual tricks on viewers.
Whether it’s a waterfall that looks like it’s on fire or a waterfall that exists underwater, UFOs made from clouds, or waves in the sky, Mother Nature’s marvelous optical illusions will leave viewers in awe of the natural wonders that they are witnessing.
Get ready to take a closer look (or two), because these natural wonders may not be what they seem!
1. Tolbachik Volcanos, Russia
The Kamchatka Peninsula is located in Russia, facing Alaska across the Bering Sea. The most important thing about this place is that it contains a belt of around 160 volcanoes, with at least 29 of them being active.
But here occurs something interesting. Have you ever seen a UFO hovering in the air in front of your eyes? Now you have. If you hike through the volcanic ash-covered valley between the volcanoes, you will see huge UFOs flying, except there is no sign of any extraterrestrial presence.
The UFO-looking shapes are actually lenticular clouds that look like huge saucers. Often mistaken for UFOs, these optical illusions only happen under certain weather conditions when the air’s moisture levels work in their favor and the temperature is low enough.
2. Green Flash, Hawaii
The next natural optical illusion can’t always be seen, but we think that is what makes it so special. If you’re visiting Hawaii and you’re lucky enough, you may catch the green flash that appears during sunrise or sunset in parts of the country.
The green flash occurs when the top rim of the orange suddenly changes color, turning green as it sets or rises from the skyline. As said before, this illusion of light isn’t common.
Those hoping to catch the spectacular show of nature will not only keep their fingers crossed for optimal weather conditions but will also have to stay alert because the sun only changes its color into green for a second or two—thus the name “flash”.
3. Pedra do Telégrafo, Rio de Janeiro
While this optical illusion is seen best in photos taken from certain angles, it’s still an interesting one that should be mentioned on this list. I’m sure you’ve seen this kind of picture where people are hanging off the edge of a rock as if death were imminent. In fact, social media is full of these types of pictures.
In most cases, they are taken at Pedra do Telégrafo in Rio de Janeiro. What these photos don’t show is that in reality there’s another rock less than a meter beneath the one in the photos. Anyway, we made sure to come up with a picture in which you can see both rocks.
People hanging in the air with one slip preventing them from falling to their deaths in a presumed abyss below is nothing more than a photo opportunity done from the right angles.
4. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Salt flats are another unique natural feature you don’t see very often. There are certain spots on the Earth with these salt-encrusted flat areas, and the ones in Bolivia are actually among the largest in the world.
But salt flats are more special than one would think; they are a landmark for breathtaking optical illusions. While these areas are covered in a blanket of white salt for most of the year, once in a while water from nearby lakes runs over, and the result is spectacular. The thin layer of water turns the ground of the Salar de Uyuni into a perfectly clear mirror that reflects the sky.
If you visit the Bolivian salt flat during this time, you’ll see that the optical illusion makes it appear as if you’re walking with the sky both underneath your feet and above your head.
5. Magnetic Hill, India
How does it feel to defy gravity? Well, there’s a stretch of road in India where you can actually experience this. About 30 km away from Leh city in the country’s northern region of Ladakh, this mysterious area is definitely a unique place on Earth.
While the road is man-made, no one could find an explanation for the fact that cars, instead of going downhill when left stationary, go backward uphill. The strange phenomenon is known as Gravity Hill among locals, and legends claim that the mysterious road leads to heaven. On the other hand, scientists explain that it may be a strong magnetic force that pulls vehicles upward.
Even military airplanes tend to avoid flying over the area. Apparently, the road somehow interferes with their devices in a strange way.
6. Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
If you look at pictures of Namib-Naukluft National Park, chances are you’ll think they are paintings. But they are not, and that’s actually the optical illusion this place creates. Basically, standing inside this African national park feels like standing inside a painting.
Deep inside the Namib Desert, this destination baffles all travelers: as the sun’s reflection hits the sand dunes, they turn bright orange, and the result is unexpected! The orange dune fields create a spectacular painting-like background that contrasts the dry camelthorn trees standing upright and the white clay pan floor. Even digital photos of this wonderful place look more like hand-drawn paintings!
7. Underwater Waterfall, Mauritius
Mauritius is an island country located on top of the Mascarene submarine plateau. Off the Mauritian coast is one of the most stunning natural optical illusions: an underwater waterfall. Yep, that’s right!
While there are geological explanations to justify the interesting phenomenon, what appears to be a waterfall deep inside the ocean isn’t actually water at all. In fact, the ocean currents push the sand off the plateau, creating the illusion of an underwater waterfall.
This means that those swimming there don’t have to worry about sinking into a deep and dark abyss—they can swim over the „waterfall”, as it’s only an optical illusion. If you go there, make sure you bring your camera with you!
8. The Wave, Arizona
There’s an optical illusion in Arizona too! One patch of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is a sandstone rock structure known as The Wave, which can mess up even experienced hikers’ sense of perception.
The formation of this breathtaking rock formation began 190 million years ago when desert dunes solidified and compacted into stripped sandstone. The process is called wind erosion, and it’s what gives these rocks the appearance of colorful ocean waves. Well, that’s basically the optical illusion here: the wavy, misleading rocks create a view that often makes hikers lose their balance.
Those planning to visit The Wave may want to know there’s a lottery system that grants a very limited number of daily permits.
9. Fata Morgana, Antarctica
The best optical illusions rely on a distorted perception of depth, and that’s exactly what Fata Morgana is about. A frequent phenomenon in Antarctica, Fata Morgana is a type of mirage that appears when the air is so clear and pure that it makes faraway objects look focused and sharp.
Sometimes, objects even get distorted, inverted, or bent to look like completely different things, giving birth to several legends of UFOs, witchcraft, phantom ships, and sightings of islands that never existed.
According to modern conspiracy theories, even the Titanic could have been a victim of a Fata Morgana which distorted the ship’s perspective of the iceberg.
10. Yosemite Firefall, California
In 1872, the owners of the Glacier Point Hotel overlooking Yosemite Valley would put on a show for their guests: they would throw bonfires into a waterfall to make it look as if lava was falling off the cliff.
While this was actually the original Yosemite Firefall that was specially created to attract travelers, the owners of the hotel didn’t know one thing—something quite important. Had they waited for the right weather conditions, the Yosemite Firefall would have naturally looked like it was spewing golden fire instead of water.
The optical illusion occurs each February when the sunlight right before sunset reflects upon the water. There’s even an official event held there where visitors can marvel at an entirely natural phenomenon that doesn’t need any human interference.
You may also want to read 9 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Florida.
