Alien Landscapes on Earth!

Lines of rippling sand dunes stretch on for miles through empty desert. It may look otherworldly, but the Simpson Desert can be found in Australia. Learn how the desert formed from an ancient sea, how these sand dunes form and move, and what happens during rare rainstorms. Dynamic images and a whimsical design make for an out-of-this-world read before a back matter feature blasts off to find similar formations in space.

Bright red and orange cliffs twist and turn in strange shapes. Some even look like waves of rock. It may seem otherworldly, but the Vermilion Cliffs can be found in Arizona. Discover how these rock formations were made, where the vibrant colors come from, and how the landscape has been used to rescue endangered animals. Dynamic images and a whimsical design make for an out-of-this-world read before a back matter feature blasts off to find similar formations in space.

A wall of ice stretches high above turquoise waters. It may look otherworldly, but the Perito Moreno Glacier can actually be found in Argentina. Learn how this icy giant formed, how it has shaped the landscape around it, and what makes it one of the most unusual glaciers on the planet. Dynamic images and a whimsical design make for an out-of-this-world read before a back matter feature blasts off to find similar formations in space.

Colorful spots dot a dried-up lakebed. It may look otherworldly, but the Spotted Lake can actually be found in British Columbia. Learn how these colorful spots appear and disappear as well as why this lake is still important to the people who live there. Dynamic images and a whimsical design make for an out-of-this-world read before a back matter feature blasts off to find similar formations in space.

The wind blows over flat, salt-covered ground as far as the eye can see. It may look otherworldly, but the Salt Flats of Bolivia are found right here on Earth. Learn how the salt flats formed, what they look like at different times of the year, and how creatures and plants survive in all this salt. Dynamic images and a whimsical design make for an out-of-this-world read before a back matter feature blasts off to find similar formations in space.

Waves crash against 40,000 hexagonal columns poking up from the coastline. It may look otherworldly, but Giant's Causeway can actually be found along the shores of Northern Ireland. Learn how Giant's Causeway formed, the myths surrounding this unusual landscape, how different kinds of life have made their home among the sharp-edged pillars, and more. Dynamic images and a whimsical design make for an out-of-this-world read before a back matter feature blasts off to find similar formations in space.