Our planet had such beautiful, fascinating and mysterious bodies of water. However, despite their enchanting wonders, some of them can seriously bring harm to anyone.
Here are the 10 most dangerous waters in the world, compiled to give a fair warning to travelers seeking a one of a kind adventure.
1. Great Blue Hole, Belize
Jacques Cousteau called it one of the best places for diving on Earth, the Great Blue Hole is a huge vortex that draws in everything on the surface, while ebbs make it spout huge columns of water. But despite the danger, there still are many who want to see this hole.
2. Jacob’s Well, Texas, USA
Despite the crystal clear water of Jacob’s Well, this 30-foot deep natural well is one of the most dangerous diving places in the world. Beneath the well are several entrances to a broad network of caves that many are unable to leave.
3. Lake Michigan, USA
Lake Michigan is almost as notorious as the Bermuda Triangle. Over this lake, one of the most horrible air crashes in North America occurred for no logical reasons. The lake is really dangerous due to its suddenly forming currents that, according to some sources, take several dozens of lives each year.
4. Lake Natron, Tanzania
Lake Natron is one of the saltiest and most alkaline lakes on Earth, covered with a salt crust that’s sometimes colored red. The water temperature reaches 120°F (50°C) in certain places, which makes it, along with alkalinity, almost unfit for life. Only three kinds of fish live here, adapting to the extreme conditions.
5. Blue Hole, Dahab
The Blue Hole is probably the world’s most dangerous place for diving as many divers have died in this 400-foot deep cave. The cause of death is usually nitrogen narcosis or insufficient air capacity upon ascent. Though experienced divers say that properly trained people with experience can actually dive without fear.
6. Horseshoe Lake, USA
Horseshoe Lake is a no man zone. The carbon dioxide emitted by the lake is deadly for everything, including plants. Four people already died in this place, as well as trees growing 100 acres around it. Signs all over the place are scattered to keep people from going to this lake.
7. Boiling Lake, Dominica
As the name says, the boiling lake may heat up to 198°F (92°C) due to hot air spurting from beneath the ground, which also means lava is underneath. Swimming is strictly prohibited even if it seems normal because boiling can start in just a matter of seconds.
8. Rio Tinto, Spain
Fossil excavation that has been carried out at the head of the Tinto River for more than 3,000 years lead to it being saturated with copper, iron, and heavy metals, with the acidity leaping sky-high. However, even in such conditions, the river has its own ecosystem that includes bacteria that oxidize metals and make the water bright red.
9. Drake Passage
The Drake Passage is considered a veritable ship cemetery. Many ships have been capsized in this waters, from Magellan’s times until the Panama Canal was built in the 20th century. Lots of icebergs, wind speeds reaching 80 miles per hour, strong currents, and poor visibility are part of the ordeal that ships must pass through to survive.
10. Lake Kivu
The Lake Kivu is the epitome of the so-called “peaceful but deadly” with layers of CO2 and 55 billion cubic meters of methane at the bottom. Even the slightest earthquake may cause a huge explosion that could wipe out over 2 million people living around Kivu.
