Description

The sprawling Al-Waba Carter, 4 kilometers wide and 250 meters deep, is one of Saudi Arabias most amazing natural wonders: a vast crater with a mysterious lake at its heart. Two hour driving distance north of Taif. The lunar-like landscape offers an impressive experience to those who come to climb it - with stunning views of the desert from the crater rim. You will witness the real magic when you climb into the heart of this volcanic crater, and also the splendor of the landscape from above. In the center of the gap, youll find white sodium phosphate crystals that create a shimmering crust visible from the sky. This salt carpet turns into a pearly lake when rain gathers in its hollow, surrounded by shrubs and palms that spread on its edge. A field of dry lava can also be seen creeping away from the northern rim of the crater. The hole was thought to have been formed by a meteorite impact, but research by geologists in the 1960s revealed that the Waba was a crater. These shallow cavities are the result of volcanic eruptions that occur when groundwater comes into contact with hot lava. The locals have their own legend about the origins of the Waba crater, the myth says that the area included two mountains, Alluvium and Qatan. One night, a flash of lightning lit up Mount Cotton to make it beautiful, and Mulla fell in love with him and vowed to move to be closer to her lover. But before she can reach him, her cousin Schliemann becomes jealous and shoots her an arrow, causing her to fall to the ground. Then the gap was formed by its fall.