Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Travel
A Cosmic Landscape on Earth
The Valley of the Planets, known locally as Wadi Kawakeb, is a rare geological marvel situated in Libya’s southwestern desert near the town of Ghat. Extending over 30 kilometers, this valley features massive, spherical rock formations that resemble celestial bodies, creating a scene that feels as though it belongs in outer space. These natural sculptures are thought to have formed through millennia of wind and weather erosion, leaving behind formations that mirror planets and moons in their shape and size. The valley’s isolated location and unique visual appeal have led some to nickname it “Libya’s space on Earth,” with landscapes that captivate geologists, astronomers, and adventurous travelers alike.
The Mysterious Trovants
The formations found in Wadi Kawakeb are a type of geological phenomenon known as trovants, or "living stones." Trovants are unusual because they grow, move, and in some cases, appear to "reproduce" by creating smaller stones around them, a process almost unique to these formations. This happens when rainwater permeates their porous structure, carrying minerals that crystallize and build up layers within the rock, causing it to expand. Some trovants have been known to grow as much as 1.5 inches every thousand years. Their gradual movement, caused by the heating and cooling of the soil, has even led some visitors to believe they can "walk." These peculiar properties make the valley’s stones not just an object of study but a geological wonder that continuously challenges scientists’ understanding.
A Journey into Geological and Marine History
Research suggests that these rock formations are remnants from around 5.3 million years ago, a time when this desert area was submerged under an ancient sea during the Miocene Epoch. Fossils of marine creatures like bivalves and gastropods have been discovered embedded within the trovants, hinting at the valley’s transformation from a seabed to a dry, arid desert. The unique mineral composition of these rocks, coupled with layers of sediment, supports the theory that the region's geological journey involved both land and sea influences. These formations now serve as natural archives, preserving traces of Earth’s ancient climate, marine ecosystems, and tectonic activity, and allowing scientists to reconstruct the region’s dramatic geological evolution.
A Destination Worth Exploring and Protecting
The Valley of the Planets is an unforgettable destination for those who venture into Libya’s southwestern desert. Often described as "otherworldly," the massive, smooth surfaced trovants are arranged as if in a cosmic tableau across the barren desert floor. The valley’s seclusion and scarcity of visitors add to its mystical quality, drawing tourists, photographers, and scientists who seek an experience unlike any other on Earth. Due to its delicate and unique features, there is an increasing push to preserve this geological treasure to prevent environmental degradation. As awareness of Wadi Kawakeb grows, so does the call to protect it, ensuring future generations have the chance to marvel at this spectacular piece of natural history.
