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Socotra: The Most Alien-Looking Place on Earth

  

Category:  Fields and Streams

Via:  krishna  •  7 years ago  •  13 comments

Socotra: The Most Alien-Looking Place on Earth

 

3656tertwettry.jpg

    (images credit:  Jan Vandorpe socotra )


Imagine waking up on the  Socotra Island  and taking a good look around you (let's say your buddies pulled a prank on you and delivered you there, and lets also assume that you don't have any hangover from abuse of any substances).

After a yelp of disbelief, you'd be inclined to think you were transported to another planet - or traveled to another era of Earth's history. 

The second would be closer to the truth for this island, which is part of a group of 4 islands, has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last 6 or 7 million years. Like the Galapagos Islands, this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full 1/3 of which are endemic, i.e.  found nowhere else on Earth .

(LINK)

 


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Krishna
Professor Expert
link   seeder  Krishna    7 years ago

The climate is harsh, hot and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there. Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, the wide sandy beaches rise to limestone plateaus full of caves (some 7 kilometers in length) and mountains up to 1525 meters high. 

458656486_7c5a02f4c7_o.jpg

(image credit:  Marco Pavan )

The name Socotra is derived from a Sanscrit name, meaning "The Island of Bliss"... Is it the beaches? The isolation and quiet? or the strange and crazy botanical allure?

 

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
link   Kavika     7 years ago

What a fascinating article and island....I love the tree's plants and bird life.

The buildings are simply amazing.

Great article, I learned something new today...GREAT. 

 
 
 
Bob Nelson
Professor Guide
link   Bob Nelson    7 years ago

Very cool. Thank you. 

 
 
 
Krishna
Professor Expert
link   seeder  Krishna  replied to  Bob Nelson   7 years ago

You're welcome!

(Or, as people on NT might say: "Your welcome!")

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
link   Buzz of the Orient  replied to  Krishna   7 years ago

laughing dude

That's because Americans spell and speak "American", whereas some of us spell and speak English.

 
 
 
Krishna
Professor Expert
link   seeder  Krishna    7 years ago

Here's a closeup of one of the trees. 

Socotra_dragon_tree.JPG

I found some information about it:

Dragon's Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari)

Dracaena cinnabari , the   Socotra dragon tree   or   dragon blood tree , is a   dragon tree   native to the   Socotra  archipelago, part of   Yemen , located in the   Arabian Sea . It is so called due to the   red sap   that the trees  Socotra archipelago, part of  Yemen , located in the  Arabian Sea . It is so called due to the  red sap  that the trees produce. [2]

LINK

Here's a video:

 
 
 
Krishna
Professor Expert
link   seeder  Krishna  replied to  Krishna   7 years ago

Buzz had seeded some pictures of unusual trees from around the world-- very unique trees!

Lasting Beauty Of Ancient Trees: A Woman’s 14-Year Quest To Photograph World’s Most Majestic Trees  

(LINK )

 
 
 
Bluestride
Freshman Silent
link   Bluestride    7 years ago
That is cool! 'Nuff said
 
 

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