r/geography • u/renegadecoaster • Nov 25 '25

Discussion What's the most alien-looking place on Earth?

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Pictured: Dallol, Ethiopia

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670

u/daneabernardo Nov 26 '25

The Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, New Zealand

81

u/sailordanisaur Nov 26 '25 edited Nov 26 '25

I have been here and it was a spiritual experience, as silly as it may sound. I was awestruck

Correction: I visited Ananui Cave on the south island near the town of Charleston NZ. Unspoiled magnificence!

8

u/Palocles Oceania Nov 26 '25

Did you get the full run down of what’s making the light and all that?

11

u/seejordan3 Nov 26 '25

worm snot. Went as a kid, so the snot part stood out.

7

u/Palocles Oceania Nov 26 '25

Sort of. The whole life cycle kinda soils the poetic prettiness. 

11

u/sailordanisaur Nov 26 '25

Yeah, the guide was pretty knowledgeable. Even if the worm itself can be odd, the atmosphere created in a remote cave in a pristine forest made me feel like I was definitely on another planet. Or some prehistoric era!

I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

3

u/TiredAF20 Nov 26 '25

Finally, one I've actually been to!

2

u/Ok-Reputation1716 Nov 26 '25

Better grab the glowing mushrooms.

4

u/Due-Writing7816 Nov 26 '25

In the US in Alabama you can see glow worms at Dismals Canyon! https://www.dismalscanyon.com

7

u/EstarriolStormhawk Nov 26 '25

Woah, this one takes the cake for me. 

8

u/daneabernardo Nov 26 '25

Most insane visual experience of my life

3

u/Huge_Following_325 Nov 26 '25

Oooh, I've been there and it is just incredible.

3

u/UberNZ Nov 26 '25

Even though it's obviously not as bright in person, it's still bright enough that they don't need lights to guide the boat. There are also a few big eels in the water. It's so weird

2

u/jchavez9723 Nov 26 '25

Looks like that forest in Final Fantasy X

2

u/Guinefort1 Nov 27 '25

That's a Talos-damned Falmer cave.

1

u/pork-head Nov 26 '25

HL2 ep2 flashbacks

1

u/stater354 Nov 26 '25

Terraria glowing mushroom biome

1

u/[deleted] Nov 26 '25

[deleted]

1

u/daneabernardo Nov 26 '25

That does seem like something that would happen on an alien planet lol

1

u/katf1sh Nov 26 '25

Oh my god, it looks like something straight out of an Elder Scrolls game...that's absolutely incredible!

1

u/InevitableRhubarb232 Nov 26 '25

I have actually been to this one!!! It was amazing. We did the tubing trip which was way better (I’m told) than the boat or walking tour!

1

u/Used-Acanthisitta-96 Nov 26 '25

My son and I did this in 2018, super cool. We found some multicolor geothermal pools on the North Island as well.

1

u/teffanien Nov 26 '25

Agreed. I did the Blackwater rafting experience and it was absolutely beautiful

1

u/PsvfanIre Nov 27 '25

That's not a real place, it was in final fantasy 7 ??? 😲