Naturally terraced pools are a shallow, rimmed water bodies usually
located on the travertine terraces - a form of limestone deposited by
mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine terraces often have a
fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, and
cream-colored varieties. Because of this and because of the biochemical
composition of the water, these pools usually have wonderful shades of
different colors.
01. Semuc Champey Pools — Guatemala
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Semuc Champey is a beautiful series of small ponds and pools on a
natural land bridge that crosses the Cahabon River. It is located in
the Municipality of Lanquin, Alta Verapaz.
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The Cahabon River submerges itself at the entrance of Semuc Champey and
resurfaces about 400 meters (1,300 ft) later after it passes this
natural limestone bridge suspended with beautiful crystal clear ponds.
In this unique natural formation you have water with shades of light
green emerald to dark blue sapphire. 24 more images after the break...
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Although it can be difficult to get to, Semuc is becoming more and more popular with travelers. Link — Map
02. Pamukkale — Turkey
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Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, is a natural site in
Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey. The site contains hot springs
and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing
water. It is located in Turkey's Inner Aegean region, in the River
Menderes valley, which has a temperate climate for most of the year.
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The ancient Greco-Roman and Byzantine city of Hierapolis was built on
top of the white "castle" which is in total about 2,700 metres (8,860
ft) long, 600 m (1,970 ft) wide and 160 m (525 ft) high. It can be seen
from the hills on the opposite side of the valley in the town of
Denizli, 20 km away.
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Tourism is and has been a major industry. People have bathed in its
pools for thousands of years. As recently as the mid-20th century,
hotels were built over the ruins of Hieropolis, causing considerable
damage. An approach road was built from the valley over the terraces,
and motor bikes were allowed to go up and down the slopes.
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When the area was declared a World Heritage Site (1988), the hotels were
demolished and the road removed and replaced with artificial pools.
Wearing shoes in the water is prohibited to protect the deposits. Link — Map
03. Huanglong Pools — China
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Huanglong is a scenic and historic interest area in the northwest part
of Sichuan, China. It is located in the southern part of the Minshan
mountain range, 150 kilometres (93 mi) north-northwest of the capital
Chengdu.
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This area is known for its colorful pools formed by calcite deposits,
especially in Huanglonggou (Yellow Dragon Gully), as well as diverse
forest ecosystems, snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and hot springs.
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Accumulated travertine landscapes and fascinating pools are Huanglong's
main attraction. The total length of the travertine is 3,6 km (2.2 mi)
and it is thought to look like a huge golden dragon wheeling through the
snow-capped mountains of the valley. The main landscapes are travertine
banks, amazingly colorful ponds and travertine waterfalls and caves.
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The main body of water starts from the top of the valley and ends at
Xishen Cave Waterfall in the north with a length of 2.5 km (1.6 mi) and a
width of 30 – 170 m (100 - 550 ft). The colours of Huanglong’s waters
consist of yellows, greens, blues and browns.
04. Kuang Si Falls — Laos
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The Kuang Si Falls, sometimes spelled Kuang Xi or known as Tat Kuang Si
Waterfalls, is a three tier waterfall about 29 kilometres (18 mi) south
of Luang Prabang in Laos. These waterfalls are a favourite side trip for
tourists in Luang Prabang.
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The falls begin in shallow pools atop a steep hillside. These lead to
the main fall with a 60 metres (200 ft) cascade. The falls are accessed
via a trail to a left of the falls. The water collects in numerous
turquoise blue pools as it flows downstream. The many cascades that
result are typical of travertine waterfalls.
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The locals charge a nominal admission fee to visit the site, but it is
well main maintained with walkways and bridges to guide the visitor.
Most of the pools are open to swimming.
05. Baishuitai Pools — China
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White Water Terrace (Bai Shui Tai) is located in the foothills of the
Haba Snow Mountains, 101 km (62 miles) southeast of Shangri-La.
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The variegated landform of the tableland is a continual deposition of
calcium carbonate that is contained in the spring water. Every year, the
surface of the land is covered by the deposition and finally
transformed into the terraced structure with pools you see today.
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The Baishuitai covers an area of three square kilometers (about 741
acres). The spring water runs down along the slope of the mountain,
leaving an impression of a large white jade carving among the green
mountain. Besides being a beautifully scenic spot, the Baishuitai is
also the birthplace of Dongba culture of the Naxi Minority Group.
06. Mammoth Hot Springs — USA
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Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs and pools on a
hill of travertine in Yellowstone National Park. It was created over
thousands of years as hot water from the spring cooled and deposited
calcium carbonate (over two tons flow into Mammoth each day in a
solution).
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Algae living in the warm pools have tinted the travertine shades of brown, orange, red, and green.
Dead trees in an area of intense deposition of calcium carbonate Photo Link
Terrace Mountain at Mammoth Hot Springs is the largest known
carbonate-depositing spring in the world. The most famous feature at the
springs is the Minerva Terrace, a series of travertine terraces.
07. Badab-e Surt — Iran
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Badab-e Surt is a natural site in Mazandaran Province in northern Iran,
95 kilometers (59 mi) South of city of Sari, and 7 kilometers (4.3 mi)
west of Orost village. It comprises a range of stepped travertine
terrace formations that has been created over thousands of years as
flowing water from two mineral hot springs cooled and deposited
carbonate minerals on the mountain side.
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As a result, over the course of thousands of years the water from these
two springs emanating from the mountain range have combined and resulted
in a number of orange, red and yellow colored pools shaped as a
naturally formed staircase.
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Badab-e Surt's springs are two distinct mineral springs with different
natural characteristics, located at 1840 meters (6,000 ft) of altitude.
The first spring contains very salty water that gathers in a small
natural pool; its water is considered to have medical effects,
especially as a cure for rheumatism and some types of skin diseases and
skin conditions. The second spring has a sour taste and is predominately
orange mainly due to the large iron oxide sediments at its outlet.
08. Egerszalók — Hungary
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Egerszalók is an open-air spa located in Heves County in northeastern
Hungary. The springs yield 68°C (154°F). mineral water from an aquifer
located under the volcanic Mátra Mountains.
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Before entering the spa pools, the steaming water runs down a series of
cascades backed and lined with travertine; the gleaming mineral has
precipitated from the water as it interacts with air at atmospheric
temperatures.
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The travertine is locally called "salt," and the cascade of water is
called "Salt Hill." The Egerszalók pools contain water rich in calcium,
magnesium, and hydrocarbonate minerals.
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