2. The Giant Mounds of Namibia’s Fairy Circles
Termites have produced some of the most enigmatic and striking mound structures on Earth in Namibia’s dry settings. Built by Macrotermes michaelseni, these constructions can have heights of three to four meters and diameters of up to thirty meters. These mounds are especially intriguing because they help to produce the well-known “fairy circles,” circular barren areas in the grassland that show regular patterns seen from above. The engineering skills of the termites have produced a large underground network that supports the survival of flora in this hostile surroundings by helping to preserve soil moisture and nutrients. Hosting many other species and vital in the balance of the ecosystem, these mounds act as oasis of life in the desert.
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