The unearthly beauty of Antelope Canyon

The Navajo Indians call it "the place where the water flows through the stones," and this name is really true. We present to your attention one of the most beautiful places on Earth – Antelope Canyon.

The strange formations of this "carved" canyon create an unforgettable impression. (Romain Guy)

Antelope Canyon on Navajo Nation land is definitely one of the strangest places on earth for those who don't have enough money to fly into space. Although, having flown into space, you will still not be able to visit other planets, and here you seem to find yourself in a completely different world. (Romain Guy)

Here you can look around the corner and stumble upon a group of volcanoes that seem to be performing some strange ritual. This place is one of the most visited on earth. And no wonder why. (Franco Caruzzo)

This is one of those beauties of the world that can take you into a completely different world. The canyon is divided into two parts – Upper and Lower, and both of them occurred in prehistoric times. No wonder the Navajo Indians take this place so seriously. (Merlune)

Somehow, the light manages to find a loophole through the walls of the canyon, despite its narrowness. By the color of the stone, you can understand what the canyon consists of – it is sandstone, which is easily exposed to water. Medieval cathedrals of Europe are gradually "fading" under the influence of humidity century after century.  The same thing happens with Antelope Canyon – it owes its existence in one of the driest places on the planet to the erosive properties of water. (Merlune)

A little imagination, and these pillars of light can tell us about how Mother Nature supports the evolution of canyons. (Kay Gaensler)

These spirals show us how water slowly but surely corrodes sandstone over time. Can at least one thing created by human hands boast the same grace and tranquility as this underground canyon? (brentbat)

So how did this beautiful canyon form? Although it is incredible, but it is thanks to the flood. (James Marvin Phelps)

Of course, other terrestrial processes are "to blame" for this, but the main culprit is rainwater during the monsoon season (although, of course, it cannot be called the culprit, because it created such an amazing miracle of nature). Above both parts of Antelope Canyon there are large pools where rainwater collects. (MeckiMac)

When this happens, the water rushes under the weight into the canyon. Over the millennia, the water slowly but surely made corridors in this canyon – deeper and steeper. The sharp edges of the rocks eventually blunted and formed undulating shapes. (Steve Corey)

So it was not the work of great and powerful Navajo spirits (probably...), but a simple, but no less great force of natural elements. Flooding occurs here to this day. Only relatively recently (in 2006), a 36-hour flood forced the tribe to move closer to the lower part of the canyon for as much as six months, because sand from erosion was everywhere. (James Marvin Phelps)

Naturally, this natural phenomenon attracts photographers, and just tourists. However, now you need to get permission to visit this place, because in 1997 it was declared a Navajo tribal park. (Steve Corey)

To understand the power and greatness of the place, you need to be here. (Brentbat)

Although it's hard to believe, it's quite difficult to photograph here – you need a wide range of exposure. And all because the light is reflected from the walls of the canyon, like a ball on a table tennis table. (Alessandro S Alba)

The photographer in this picture allows you to assess the full scale of this place. (Brebtbat)

The upper part of the canyon is known as "the place where water flows through rocks", and the lower part is known as "spiral stone arches". The first part is the most visited, because its entrance is at ground level. Therefore, tourists do not need to climb anywhere, and the famous pillars of light are especially beautiful here. (Brentbat)

These rays of light are best seen in summer when the sun is at its zenith. From March to October in the canyon, you can feel as if you are on the set of a Hollywood movie – perhaps another series from the adventures of Indiana Jones. (StuntCrazy)

There is a staircase in the lower canyon so that visitors can go down. But even with such help, it is easier for tourists to visit the upper part of the canyon, which is located a few kilometers from the lower one. (pfala)

Uneven ground underfoot everywhere, so you can easily stretch out at the bottom of the canyon, although this does not stop many people. (Wikimedia)

Due to the danger of flooding, tourists cannot visit the canyon without an experienced guide. In 1997, a tragedy occurred - 11 tourists were killed in a flood. (lurw)

The only survivor then was a guide who had experience of similar situations. As a result, it was decided to completely fasten the ladder, and even nets were placed at the top of the canyon to "catch" people out of the water with them. (Brentbat)

So, like many other things in nature, Antelope Canyon can be both beautiful and deadly. (Brentbat)

However, he remains the greatest example of the incredible power of nature, reminding us that there are much more powerful forces on earth than man. (Minuk)