In Green Waters

This photo seems normal, but it is clear that the woman is swimming in a stunning location. In fact, this is not a movie set but the Danakil Depression, a region in Ethiopia with the hottest average temperature on Earth and the lowest point in Africa.

The area boasts a striking landscape with salt lakes, active volcanoes, hot springs, and desert plains. While tourists are drawn to the area’s unique features, it has also gained notoriety for banditry. Nonetheless, it is an important site for the Afar people, who have grazed their livestock there for generations, and the region continues to captivate visitors with its natural beauty and cultural significance.

Run for Your Life

The movie “Jaws” is a thriller that has been highly successful over the years, reigniting people’s fear of sharks. This is not surprising given that these creatures can have up to 3,000 teeth in their lifetime, resulting in many people suffering from a fear of this aquatic predator. Nevertheless, not all sharks pose a threat to humans.

Hammerhead sharks, like the one these people are running away from, belong to the family Sphyrnidae. They are easily identifiable by their distinctive head shape, known as a cephalofoil. Despite their fierce appearance, hammerhead sharks are not a danger to humans, but we doubt these people knew that.

Heart-in-Mouth Experience

Brian Mosby, a fearless adventurer, has attempted the daring feat of walking a tightrope across Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, a feat only accomplished by one other person, daredevil Felix Baumgartner.

To ensure the statue’s protection, Baumgartner had to take special precautions, including using a special rope that would not damage the fragile stone. He completed the walk in just four minutes, using a balancing pole to maintain his equilibrium. The Guardian reports that Baumgartner was mentally and physically prepared for this challenging feat, and with a similarly intrepid spirit, Mosby’s walk across the statue symbolizes the bravery and audacity of adventure seekers.

Algae Taking Over?

This award-winning image was captured by Vietnamese photographer Trung Pham to showcase the reality of the fishing industry, which is crucial to Vietnam’s economy. At first glance, it appears to be vibrant algae or jellyfish, but in reality, it’s just a fishing net being tossed by a local fisherman from his boat.

Vietnam is surrounded by water, hence why it relies heavily on fishing as a primary source of income, with the most commonly found fish being the Pangasius catfish, or “basa.” The photo ranked second in the 2018 Dronestagram International Drone Photography Contest, and we are left to wonder what catch this fisherman had with such a gigantic net.

Time to Prey

This picture is likely to evoke anxiety in those who suffer from a fear of the ocean or its inhabitants. It reveals how nature thrives beneath the seemingly calm blue waters. Despite its massive size, this animal, a humpback whale, is not as terrifying as other sea creatures.

Often misunderstood, humpback whales are less harmful than sharks. Although they are vocal mammals and can be quite loud—said to be louder than a jet engine—they tend to follow people out of curiosity. So while this picture may seem daunting at first glance, it actually depicts a magnificent and harmless creature, except when disturbed.

Off the Skies

Despite the general belief that age is a limiting factor in sports, there are exceptions like Di Huanran, a Chinese waterfall diver who defies the odds with his skills and bravery. Huanran’s expertise in this craft and his courageous soul are exemplified in this photo, which won second place in the professionally shot portraits category of a 2017 photo contest.

Although the stunt, performed off a waterfall in Mudanjiang, in Heilongjiang province, may appear simple from above, it is far from it. Huanran has been training since his 20s and is an expert in the field, and this dive proves that age doesn’t have to be a barrier to excellence.

Where Does That Lead

Could this be the entrance to the underworld? Well, thankfully, it’s just red-hot molten lava. A volcanic eruption unleashes molten rock and ash, which can travel up to 62 mph. The catastrophic nature of such eruptions brings to mind the 1997 disaster movie “Dante’s Peak,” directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton.

This lava could reach temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius during explosive eruptions, which is why a direct overhead shot at close range is impossible. This drone shot of the natural wonder is awe-inspiring, capturing the raw power of nature at its most dramatic.