These wonders of the natural world no longer exist

Lagzira Beach, Morocco – Paragliders, surfers, fishermen and a few familiar visitors lamented the disappearance of one of the beach’s twin red sea arches in 2016, which succumbed to the weight of the giant rock above it. Located outside of Sidi Ifni, Morocco, this hideaway offers a much-loved sunset scene. A similar pattern can be seen in the Jurassic red sea stacks of Ladram Bay in Devon, England.

Christmas Island Coral Reef, Australia – Mopsella gorgonians are among the many coral species that surround Christmas Island, the world’s largest coral atoll and a popular diving destination in Australia. In 2016, increased water temperatures due to El Nino storms killed about 80% of corals. However, in the late 2020s, researchers began to see signs of life returning to the region, suggesting that protective measures against local stressors may provide a “glow of hope” for the bleached coral’s time to recover.

Sequoia Tunnel Tree, California – The 1,000-year-old Pioneer Cabin Tunnel Tree was one of many California trees cut down in the late 19th century.^e century that inspired green tourism. When it fell in January 2017, it was the last giant sequoia with a transitional arch in its trunk. Three giant California sequoias continue to offer a crossing: they are found near the town of Eureka.

Twelve Apostles National Park, Australia – Twelve Apostles National Park has lost some of its apostles. In 2005, one of the largest and most complex sea stacks collapsed before a family watched. The second one was surrendered in 2009. The six structures, which are the remnants of already disintegrated rocks, are vulnerable to strong waves from the coast.

Finger of God, Spain – In 2005, the first cyclone to pass over Spain’s Canary Islands in 150 years overthrew a rocky “hand” called El Dedo de Dios, a needle-like pile that juts out like a finger pointing upward.

Darwin Arch, Galapagos Archipelago – On May 17, 2021, this famous natural bridge, named after the English biologist, collapsed into the Pacific Ocean: a loss due to erosion, according to Ecuador’s Ministry of the Environment. Popular with cruise tourists, this UNESCO World Heritage Site teems with marine life, from manta rays to whale sharks and hawksbill turtles.

Hillary Step, Everest, Nepal – Reaching the summit of Everest in Nepal got a little easier in late May 2017 after the apparent disappearance of a giant rock about 30 meters below. According to experts, the steep Hillary Step, named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who considered it one of the most difficult points on the mountain, broke during an earthquake in 2015.

Sylvia Flats Pools, New Zealand – In 2017, the rock faces of Sylvia Flats pools, natural hot springs along the Lewis River in New Zealand, were destroyed by flooding. Fortunately, other hot springs (like Maruia Hot Springs in Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve) still offer the chance to enjoy the warm waters a few miles north.

Elephant Rock, Canada – In the spring of 2016, nearly 200 tons of rock were ripped from Elephant Rock in New Brunswick, turning the natural monument into a pile of rubble. This scenic spot in Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park was one of the most popular stops for travelers looking to take in the incredibly diverse tides of Canada’s Bay of Fundy. The area lost another landmark in February 2022 when Flowerpot Rock collapsed during a heavy storm.

Solomon Islands – Low-lying Pacific islands have suffered from the effects of rising waters. In 2016, five of the Solomon Islands were flooded. The neighboring island of Nuatambu may be next; the island is slowly disappearing and has already lost more than half of its habitable land, forcing its inhabitants to move.

Slims River, Canada – In the spring of 2017, an entire river disappeared overnight in Canada’s Yukon Territory. The fault lies in the retreat of the giant Kaskawulsh glacier, which diverted its meltwater from the Slims River to feed another stream. Scientists called this incident the first “river robbery” incident in modern times. These changes also shrink the largest lake in the Yukon. You can see the distant shoreline of Kluane Lake along Alaska Highway 1 and from points in Kluane National Park and Preserve.

Chacaltaya Glacier, Bolivia – In this photo taken on October 26, 2009, a man looks at the last part of the Chacaltaya Glacier. That year, an 18,000-year-old glacier melted and closed the ski resort, once considered the world’s highest point. Bolivian scientists predicted the glacier would melt by 2015, but rapidly rising temperatures due to climate change have accelerated the process.

Wall Arch, Arches National Park, Utah – In August 2008, when the dangerous Entrada sandstone, which stretches more than 10 meters above Arches National Park’s “Wall Arch,” collapsed overnight, campers reported hearing a loud noise despite clear skies. Utah Park still has many fragile formations among its attractions, such as Vultee Arch.

Israel, Jordan and the Dead Sea bordering Jordan – The highly saline Dead Sea has not yet disappeared, but it is shrinking at an alarming rate: in recent years, the water level has been dropping by about 1 meter per year. As a result, thousands of potholes have appeared, signaling an impending water shortage crisis in the region.

Azure Window, Malta – It took thousands of storms to slam the Blue Window onto the limestone cliffs of the Maltese island of Gozo, but only one was enough to end it. The iconic area of ​​Dwejra Bay was one of the island nation’s most popular natural attractions and was even briefly featured in the hit TV series Game of Thrones before being demolished in March 2017. Étretat in Normandy. You can even walk under the impressive Falaise d’Aval at low tide.

Oak of Basking Ridge, New Jersey – One of the oldest oak trees in North America died in 2017 in a cemetery in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The giant tree would overshadow George Washington’s walk in 1818.^e Christopher Columbus was already 80 years old when he arrived in America in 15.^e century

Tenere tree, Niger – The only surviving acacia tree in the Sahara desert, the Tenere Tree, some 400 km from its nearest neighbour, became a local landmark in the 1930s, but was reportedly cut down by a drunk driver. The metal sculpture seen in this photo now stands in place. The Chapmann Baobab in Botswana, another desert tree important enough to appear on otherwise blank maps, was engraved with notes and markings by the earliest Europeans, such as David Livingstone. Unfortunately, this tree fell in 2016.

Old Man of the Mountain, New Hampshire – The mysterious profile of New Hampshire’s Franconia Notch State Park no longer resembles the “Old Man of the Mountain,” though a steel structure monument has helped recreate (with a little imagination) the illusion of his face from below.

Kaimu Beach, Hawaii – In the early 1990s, a lava flow through the village of Kalapana, Hawaii, destroyed about 150 homes on Kaimu’s popular black sand beach. Kilauea Volcano continues to erupt and has added more than 200 acres of new land to date. Big island. Newer extensions can be seen via boat tours from Pahoa.

Larsen C Barrier, Antarctica – While few have looked at the icy rocks of Antarctica’s Larsen C Ice Shelf, satellites have witnessed the moment a chunk the size of the Bouches-du-Rhône broke off to float free in the Southern Ocean. Iceberg calving is not a new phenomenon, but it is rare to see such drastic changes.

Jeffrey Pine, Yosemite National Park – This dead and weathered Jeffrey Pine atop Sentinel Dome in Yosemite National Park was made famous by Ansel Adams and finally fell in 2003. This picturesque California tree was one of the most photographed trees in the world, appearing on photographic glass plates in the 1860s. .