My Interesting Files

Rare Prehistoric Shark

A rare prehistoric shark was discovered by local residents in Shizuoka, southwest of Tokyo. The huge eel-like creature, considered to be a living fossil, was taken to Japan’s Awashima Marine Park and placed in a seawater pool. But the new environment was fatal and, only just a few hours after it was moved, the unusual shark died.

The Spotted Lake

The spotted lake (Kliluk), situated in Osoyoos, Canada, contains one of the highest concentrations of minerals in the world (mainly epsom salts, calcium and sodium sulphates). The lake’s healing waters were used by native Indians to alleviate aches and pains and during the first world war the salts were skimmed from the surface in huge amounts to be transported to eastern American munitions factories – sometimes as much as a ton per day.
The pattern you see below appears during hot sunny days as the water evaporates and the minerals crystallize to form hundreds of incredible yellow pools.

Penitentes

These amazing ice spikes (generally known as Penitentes due to their resembelance to processions of white-hooded monks) can be found on mountain glaciers and vary in size dramatically, from a few centimeters to 5 meters in height.
Initially, the sun’s rays cause random dimples on the surface of the snow. Once such a dimple is formed, sunlight can be reflected within the dimple, increasing the localized sublimation. as this accelerates, deep troughs are formed, leaving peaks of ice standing between them’

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