[watch]Gold Bars- Yamashita Treasure Found in Philippines, surrounded with Bombs

Mysterious Crack Appears in Mexico

A giant crack emerged last week in northern Mexico and scientists are still working to determine what exactly caused it.

The nearly 30-foot deep, 15-foot wide crevice in the earth extends more than a half-mile, Sky News reported.



Some scientists believe the mysterious crack was the result of seismic activity in the area following a 5.0 magnitude quake earlier this month.

But not all experts are sold on that conclusion.

Others believe an underground stream which eroded the ground below the surface caused the ground to cave in. According to a Mexican newspaper, which cited social media reports, it appears there was heavy rainfall in the area before the trench appeared.

Regardless, scientists don’t think there is any reason to worry.


“It’s definitely not a cause for alarm for the population,” Martin Moreno, the head of National Autonomous University of Mexico’s Regional Station, told newspaper Excelsior, according to a translation by The Huffington Post.

Moreno added that he does not think it would be appropriate to blame an earthquake for the massive crack, contending “when a fault is generated the levels generally move and here we see people walking on both sides of the trench, the two levels are still in place, one side isn’t raised and the other hasn’t sunk either.”

Nevertheless, individuals all over the world appear enthralled by the crack. Footage captured by a drone has amassed nearly 100,000 views on YouTube.

“Wow!” one user commented.

“Pretty trippy,” echoed another.

       

The Blaze

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One Tree Grows 40 Types of Fruit

Sam Van Aken created a tree that "grows over forty different types of stone fruit including peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, cherries, and almonds."

Even the most beautiful trees tend to bloom in only a single color, but artist Sam Van Aken is growing trees that turn into a kaleidoscopic array of flowers come spring. A project of his, the "Tree of 40 Fruit," has Van Aken grafting 40 different stone fruit branches onto a single tree, ultimately creating a tree that will slowly begin blooming at the beginning of spring and continue through the season as different varieties hit their marks. Come summer, those will all begin to grow fruits, including different types of cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, and apricots.

Van Aken, who tells Epicurious that he grew up on a farm, uses a technique called grafting to combine the similar fruit types onto a single tree. His use of the technique is certainly on the uncommon side, though similarly expansive efforts have been done before — The Daily Mail reports that a man in England put 250 varieties of apples on a single tree. Van Aken's trees are certainly designed more for the art of their blooming, but there's a preservation element that he's bringing in to it too. Van Aken says that he tries to include local fruits on each of his trees, as well as varieties that aren't commercially available.

None of the trees appear to be quite as grand in scope yet as Van Aken's gorgeous rendering (above) imagines them to be. For now, they're still young and small, but photos on Van Aken's "Tree of 40 Fruit" website show that they're already beginning to display what makes them so unique. The trees are currently spread across the US, with the majority of them around New York and New England. Epicurious reports that there are 16 of them so far, located in museums, community centers, and some private collections.

The Verge
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5 of the Most Wondrous Hotels on Earth

Around the world there are countless hotels,some of them small and unassuming and others which once visited will never be forgotten.Some are bold, others creative and some are simply wonderfully beautiful,making them as unforgettable as they are unique.
That said, here are five of the worlds most wondrous hotels…

1. The Caves Resort, Jamaica

Built into the cliffs just south of Negril, Jamaica, the Caves Resort, is an incredible oceanfront sanctuary which is a popular lure for locals and tourists alike. Set just off the beaten path, the hotel is a true utopia and is built almost entirely into the cliffs and overlooking the ocean below.

The surrounding beaches are truly seductive and also very little known meaning that the resort is wonderfully peaceful.

2. Giraffe Manor, Kenya

Just 12 miles outside of Nairobi lies Giraffe Manor, an outstanding hotel where guests can get up close and personal with one of the most elegant species on the planet. Set within 140 acres of forest and having been set up as a breeding centre by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, Giraffe Manor aims to conserve the habitat of the Rothschild Giraffe while educating people on the species and giving them a holiday they will never forget.

The resort is also home to a number of other animals, including warthogs and tropical birds, however unlike the giraffes they’re far less likely to stick their head through the windows and steal your breakfast from out of your hand. For the nature lovers out there, Giraffe Manor is an absolute must-see and it ears extra bonus points for being educational as well as entertaining.

3. Hotel Kakslauttanen, Finland

Hotel Kakslauttanen is more often known as the Igloo Village, the reasons for which become apparent when you look upon it. The entire resort is made up of thermal glass igloos which offer majestic and unbeatable views of the Northern Lights.

The area lacks any light pollution, meaning the skies above reveal millions of stars every night and come alive with colour as the Northern Lights dance. By night, temperatures outside the igloos plummet to -22° fahrenheit but thankfully the rooms are designed to keep visitors warm and toasty.

4. Hotel de Glace, Canada

Believe it or not, the Hotel de Glace is built entirely from packed ice and snow which are sculpted to create this masterpiece. Each year during the summer months, this incredible hotel melts away however each winter it is rebuilt in all its former glory.

From January to March each year, hundreds of people flock to the hotel where they can rent an ice bed, sit at the ice bar (while drinking from ice glasses) or even get married within the miraculous ice chapel.

5. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort, Maldives

For obvious reasons, the Conrad Maldives Resort was recently voted the best restart in the Maldives and also ranked as one of the best resorts worldwide. The resort is surrounded by lush green waters which are filled with whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, turtles and a colourful coral reef, all of which make for a spectacular sight.

All of this can be viewed from above water or, if you’re lucky enough, you may be able to bag a night in one of the worlds first underwater bedrooms or feast in the underwater restaurant and you can watch the spectacle of the ocean from below. The hotel also boasts 101 varieties of cheese for guests to feast on and, even more unbelievably, 20,000 varieties of vine to go alongside them

Earth Porn
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8 Mind Blowing Caves That Will Take Your Breath Away

Caves have fascinated man for hundreds of thousands of years yet to this day many still remain uncovered or fully unexplored.

Caves are somehow captivating and it seems there’s just something about the mystery they hold, the sheer size of them and often the incredible surprises they shelter within. That said, here are eight of the most incredible caves in the world, each of them likely to take your breath away…

1. Kungur Ice Cave, Russia

If you stepped into Kungur Ice Cave you could be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped into another world. Situated near Russia’s Mutnovsky Volcano, Kungur Ice Cave is an incredible feat of nature. The half mile long cave boasts ballooning ice formations which seem to glow with majestic colours as light from above filters through.

2. Vatnajokull Glacier Cave, Iceland

Located within the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull Glacier Cave is always changing due to the ice melting. While it makes for an undeniably beautiful sight, caves within glaciers can be extremely dangerous to explore as the ice is constantly changing shape and breaking apart.

3. Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

Stepping into Son Doong Cave is like stepping into another world. It’s currently the biggest known cave in the world and inside its cavernous walls you’ll find countless incredible rock formations, isolated eco and weather systems, as well as miniature jungles and vast skylights where the limestone ceiling has collapsed.

Experts believe the cave is between two and five million years old and still haven’t been able to explore all of the cave since its discovery in 1991.

4. Naica Mine, Mexico

While routinely mining within Naica Mine, workers were shocked when they broke through a cave wall and found themselves gazing upon what’s now known as The Cave of Crystals, a chamber which contains the biggest crystals known to man.

The cave makes for a majestic sight with crystals growing up to fifteen meters long, though sadly the caves are closed due to the general public due to the intense heat within them and as they’re so far beneath the Earth’s surface.

5.Cave in Algarve, Portugal

If you’re looking for the perfect beach then this may just be it. This magnificent cave was created by the sea eroding the rock, eventually carving out this picturesque cavern. The cave is only accessible by the crystal blue waters surrounding it and inside you’ll find a near perfect looking beach which is completely isolated.

6. Reed Flute Cave, China

The Reed Flute Cave (named for the reeds which grow at its entrance and can be made into flutes) has been attracting visitors for over 1200 years. Within the caverns are some spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations, serene, mirror-like waters and a fascinating array of colors which will doubtless leave you breathless.

7. Glowworms Cave, New Zealand

The Glowworms Cave in New Zealand really is like something out of a fairytale. Looking up from inside the majestic caves, you could be forgiven for thinking your were looking up at a starry night sky.

The darkness of the cave’s ceiling is illuminated by thousands of tiny glowworms, creating a breathtaking sight that has been drawing people’s attention for 120 years.

8. Antelope Canyon, USA

Located in the Arizona desert, Antelope Canyon’s walls are smooth, fluid and lined with a mix of red and orange colors. Over the years they have been carved out during the monsoon season when flash floods stormed the canyon, something which still occurs and changes the shape of the caves yearly.

Many unwary tourists have been fatally caught out during monsoon season by these beautiful, if sometimes deadly caves.

Question of the day:

Which mind blowing cave do you want to visit?

Let us know in the comments below!


You May Also Like:

Ghost Town Underwater for 25 Years 

Top 10 Biggest Massacre in History 

The Bridge Of Immortals In, Huanghsan, China  

Earth Porn
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End Of The World?(Mysterious Giant Hole suddenly appears in Siberia)

A mysterious giant hole and crater have suddenly appeared in Siberia, Russia. There are not many details right now, but the video captured from a helicopter shows a weird configuration with debris and signs of combustion around it. What the hell is this?

The hole is about 262 feet (80 meters) in diameter and it certainly doesn't look like a sinkhole, although you can see a large cavern under it.

The video was filmed from a helicopter over the Yamal Peninsula, the location of major gas fields discovered in 1972 and currently being exploited by the Russian energy giant Gazprom.

Of course, the internet is now raging with rumors about UFOs getting in or out of our planet's crust. The reality may be less exciting than that. The Siberian Times reports:

Anna Kurchatova from Sub-Arctic Scientific Research Centre thinks the crater was formed by a water, salt and gas mixture igniting an underground explosion, the result of global warming. She postulates that gas accumulated in ice mixed with sand beneath the surface, and that this was mixed with salt - some 10,000 years ago this area was a sea.

That sounds like the most likely possibility indeed. At least more plausible than the alternative theories: Meteors, giant worm from hell coming out of its lair, and drilling UFOs.



According to the Russian paper, there's an expedition on its way that "includes two experts from the Centre for the Study of the Arctic and one from Cryosphere Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. They plan to take samples of soil, air and water from the scene."

Talking to The Sydney Morning Herald, polar scientist Dr. Chris Fogwill says it's likely to be a geological phenomenon called a pingo—a block of ice that's grown into a small hill in the frozen arctic ground:

The permafrost [frozen earth] can be hundreds of metres thick, allowing for large ice features.

This is obviously a very extreme version of that, and if there's been any interaction with the gas in the area, that is a question that could only be answered by going there.

We're seeing much more activity in permafrost areas than we've seen in the historical past. A lot of this relates to this high degree of warming around these high arctic areas which are experiencing some of the highest rates of warming on earth.

So guys what do you think of this?




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Why The Amazon River Flows Backwards?

Photo credit: ESA. The shape of the Amazon Basinm mapped here using 
satellite altimeters is a relatively recent feature of the Earth

The Amazon once flowed in the opposite direction, from east to west. Reversing the direction of the Earth's largest river is no trivial thing, and geologists have pondered the cause for some time. In Earth and Planetary Science Letters The University of Sao Paulo's Dr Victor Sacek has demonstrated that nothing more than erosion is needed to explain this enormous shift.

With the mighty Andes at the western end of the continent it seems logical that South America's rivers flow east. While the Amazon discharges five times as much water as any other river on the planet, The Orinoco and the Rio de la Plata run the same way, each dwarfing any river in North America or Europe in the process. 

However, until 10 million years ago, most of what is now the Amazon basin was drained by a river that flowed west into a giant lake that lay at the feet of the northern Andes. From there the water flowed north to the Caribbean Sea. Since the Isthmus of Panama had yet to form, this water was then swept west into the Pacific.

To tilt an entire continent seems such a vast endeavor that geologists had speculated changes in convection within the Earth's mantle, perhaps resulting from the break-up of Africa and South America, must have driven this

Sacek, on the other hand, shows that the rise of the Andes as the South American plate rode over the Nazca Plate can explain the process on the appropriate timescale. Sacek included in his model the fact that as the mountains rose they intercepted more rain-bearing clouds, which in turn triggered more erosion.

At first the Andes rise produced a trough to the east, which became the paleolake into which the westward-flowing Amazon emptied. With time, however, this sinking slowed and erosion accelerated, replacing the lake with a series of wetlands known as the Pebas. The vast Pebas marshlands would have been an ecosystem like nothing we see today, but eventually sediment accumulation raised the region to the point where the rainfall in the area was pushed back the other way.

The model successfully matches the observation that sediment deposited at the Amazon's mouth has increased over the period of its eastward flow. At first, when the Amazon's sources were relatively flat, much of the sediment was dumped part way to its mouth, only being remobilized eons later.

Sacek admits however, that his model “Fails to fully reproduce the spacial and temporal evolution of the Pebas system as observed in geological data” and says further work is needed.

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Top 5 Most Endangered Animals

If there is one thing I care about the most, it is the preservation of our wildlife. As humans, the most intelligent animal on earth, we have a responsibility to protect our endangered species. According to care 2 world.com, approximately 100 species go extinct every single day. A large majority of these species are victims of deforestation, where 38 million acres of forest is projected to be destroyed this year! Let me put this in perspective. 38 million acres is roughly the size of Algeria, or a slightly larger than Alaska. So you can see we have a major environmental crisis on our hands. The amount of habitat lost for some of these endangered species is unprecedented. Therefore, I will giving the top 5 on the endangered species list and how we can help to stop the bleeding. But first, I'd like you to watch this short video on what species need our help. Some will be listed here, some will not. The point of this hub is to create awareness for those animals who can't help themselves. I will also update the stated list regularly as reports allow. If a species is deemed extinct or its status has been lifted, I will move it to a different section on this hub.

1. The Ivory Billed Woodpecker

The ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) was one of the largest woodpeckers in the world, at roughly 20 inches in length and 30 inches in wingspan. It was native to the virgin forests of the southeastern United States (along with a separate subspecies native to Cuba). Due to habitat destruction, and to a lesser extent hunting, its numbers have dwindled to the point where it is uncertain whether any remain, though there have been reports that it has been seen again. Almost no forests today can maintain an ivory-billed woodpecker population.

Reason for possible extinction:

The Ivory Billed Woodpecker is currently having dismal information on their numbers. It is at the top of the critically endangered list. Critically endangered means that a species is dangerously near to becoming extinct. The population numbers of this woodpecker were whittled down by hunters and deforestation, in the 19th century. As a result, the woodpecker's numbers dropped too low to sustain their own population. The only reason why this bird hasn't been deemed extinct by the masses, is because of supposed recent sightings in the past decade. A video back in 2007 shot a glimpse of a bird that looked very similar to the Ivory Billed profile, but it was too blurry to be conclusive. However, there is still hope to find this bird flying about in the swampy areas of Arkansas, Florida and Cuba.

2. The Amur Leopard

The Amur Leopard is also on the critically endangered species list. There now exists only about 40 of them in northern part of Russia's eastern tundra. Considered to be the rarest cat in the world, they prefer the cold temperatures of the tundra forest lands and are the only Leopard in the world adapted to cold weather.

3. The Javan Rhinoceros

The Javan Rhinoceros, or also known as the Sudna Rhinoceros was the most prominent rhino species in south east Asia. Their range extended from North Vietnam, to East India and parts of China, and clear down to the islands of Java and Sundara. Being now decades after the Vietnam War, their species is now confined to a small piece of land located on the western tip of Java island in Indonesia. This particular species is considered to be the rarest mammal on earth with an estimation of only 40 members. Similar to our leopard friends.

4. The Northern Sportive Lemur

The northern sportive lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis), also known as the Sahafary sportive lemur or northern weasel lemur, is a species of lemur in the family Lepilemuridae. It is endemic to Madagascar. As a result of severe ecological and human pressures

Reason for Endangerment:

There are numerous species of lemurs on island of Madagascar, but none as endangered as the Northern Sportive Lemur. These 2 lb. animals reside on the northern tip of Madagascar, with an estimated 20 members left of their species. Nearly all of the species of Lemurs on the island are under threat of extinction. Poaching and major deforestation are the primary factors contributing to their massive decline.

The Northern Pacific Right Whale

The North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) is a very large, robust baleen whale species that is now extremely rare and endangered. The Northeast Pacific subpopulation, which summers in the southeastern Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska, may have no more than 50 animals. 

Causes of Endangerment:

Poaching

Northern right whales have been under the gun for more than a century. They are the most endangered species of whale with only around 50 members of their species left. Before the massive whaling endemic of the 19th century, it is estimated that more than 30,000 right whales were alive in the Pacific Ocean. Between 1840 and 1849, the massive poaching of these whales began with the killing of at least 25,000. In the mid 20th century, Asian pacific whaling activities increased, including the notable Soviet whale excursion, illegally killing thousands of whales in the Pacific including right whales.

In conclusion:

I have spent over a week putting together this hub and if there is one thing I've learned it is this. Humanity has a responsibility to take care of our planet. We can try to do our part by doing the little things like recycling, turning out the lights and trying to drive less. Yet, I still ask myself does doing any of that stuff do a darn worth of difference? On a massive scare yes. On a personal scale not really. What makes the difference is having the courage to take the lead and call people to action. Action not just by passive environmental activities like I've listed above, but actually going into the field, starting relationships and educating people on the real issues. Issues that have a real impact on everyday events. There are some things on this earth we can't control, but there some things we can. It's up to us to know what those are and the best way to do that: is just being practical sometimes. I feel really bad about how nature's wounds are deepening. I wish there was some magic bullet to cure it all. When I stare into the eyes of an endangered animal (especially mammals), I can almost see the sadness and desperation in their face. It sends chills down my spine, that perhaps there's more to these animals than flesh, bone and instincts.

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The Bridge of Immortals, HuangHsan, China

The Bridge of Immortals, Situated in Huangshan, a mountain range in the southern Anhui province of eastern China. The Yellow Mountains in eastern Asia is really something every person should experience. The world’s highest bridge , The Bridge Of Immortals , is situated in the Yellow Mountains, also known as Huangshan . From the bridge you can see clouds are touching the mountain sides.

Crossing the bridge will lead you into a mystique cave carved deep into the rock. The greatest award for those how are brave enough is the spectacular view of the mountainside that lies beneath.

Huangshan was formed approximately 100 million years ago and gained its unique rock formations in the Quaternary Glaciation.

Stone steps carved into the side of the mountain, of which there may be more than 60,000 throughout the area, they have been said to be over 1,500 years old.

There was a silent comic about two men crossing a chasm by building a stone bridge with a rope and a few planks and then convincing a donkey to cross the bridge to get to the other side.

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Giant Creature (Golden Bat)-Found in the Philippines

Philippine Giant Golden-crowned flying fox: Mega Bat

The Giant Golden-Crowned Flying-Fox Bat is a rare species, and one that features very long wings. In fact, they are so long that it is often seen with them wrapped around the body like a cloak. The wings can end up being up to five feet wide when fully displayed. It is considered to be the largest bat in the world. This bat has a face that looks...very similar to that of a fox.
The only home of the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying-Fox is in the Philippines. The species is endangered and is currently facing the possibility of extinction because of poaching and forest destruction.

The giant golden-crowned flying fox gets its species name from the golden fur around the head, in sharp contrast to the black body. Like all other fruit bats, they have no tail. They are among the largest bats, with a wingspan of 1.5–1.7 m (4 ft. 10 in–5 ft. 7 in) and weighing 0.7–1.2 kg (1.5–2.6 lb).

STRANGE BIG BATS IN THE GARDEN!! : BIG SIZE BATS (ARE 

THEY DEADLY?)

 

A gargantuan bat appears to have been caught by military personnel in the Philippines. If real, this is probably some species of mega bat, referred to as a flying fox. These bats can have wingspans close to 6 feet wide.

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