Badab-e Surt: A Step Terraced Hot Spring in Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - There’s a natural wonder in Iran, called Badab-e Surt situated in Mazandaran Province in northern Iran, 95km south of the city of Sari.
The Iranian site comprises of wide range of stepped terraces made of travertine, a sedimentary rock shaped more than thousands of years by deposition of carbonate minerals dissolved in water flowing from mineral hot springs.
The beautiful Badab-e Surt’s terraces are made happed due to two distinctive mineral springs with dissimilar natural characteristics, situated at 1,840 meters above sea level. Badab-e-Surt is considered one of the most incredible sights in this region that attracts millions of Iranian and international tourists to its eye-catching nature scenery and fine weather.
Therefore; the first spring encompasses very salty water that gathers in a small natural pool, which water is believed to have medicinal properties, particularly as a cure for rheumatism and certain types of skin diseases and skin conditions. The 2nd spring has a sour taste and is predominately orange. Stepped travertine terraces are present on numerous places on earth.
But the other examples include the Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, the White Water Terraces and Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area both in China, US & New Zealand, but the most renowned of them all is “Pamukkale in Turkey which is tourism hub”. Nevertheless, different the aforementioned hot spring terraces, which are mostly shades of whites and blues, the travertine terraces of Badab-e Surt, are bright orange and red. This is due to the presence of large amounts of iron oxide sediments.
Source: Charismatic Planet