Volcanic lightning
The reason for the occurrence of ordinary lightning during a thunderstorm remains the subject of research, and the nature of volcanic lightning is even less understood. One hypothesis suggests that the ejected bubbles of magma or volcanic ash carry an electric charge and that they move to create such separated areas. However, volcanic lightning can also be caused by charging collisions in volcanic dust.
Fiery rainbow
This colorful phenomenon can be seen in summer season in mid-latitudes such as most of the United States. In fact, it is a large halo of refracted light, and, despite the name, has nothing to do with either fire or rainbows. It appears only when the sun is at an angle of at least 58 degrees above the horizon, and when there are cirrus clouds in the sky that are filled with plate-like ice crystals. Refraction of light is always parallel to the horizon, and due to the fact that the arcs are very large, only sections become visible, which is why it can look like areas of clouds on fire. Fiery rainbow in the sky over Florida:
Lunar rainbow.
We are almost used to the usual rainbow. The lunar rainbow is much more a rare event than a rainbow seen in daylight.
A lunar rainbow can appear only in places with high humidity and only when the moon is almost full. Appearing at the opposite end of the sky to the moon, they usually appear completely white due to the faint coloration, however long exposure photography can capture true colors, as in this photo taken in Yosemite National Park, California:
Discoid clouds
Discoid (lenticular, lenticular) clouds are a term for a rather rare natural phenomenon that resembles the notorious "flying saucer". Such clouds form on the crests of air waves or between two layers of air. A characteristic feature of these clouds is that they do not move, no matter how strong the wind is. A stream of air sweeping over ground surface, flows around obstacles, and at the same time air waves... Usually they hover on the leeward side of mountain ranges, behind ridges and individual peaks at an altitude of two to fifteen kilometers.
Another example of such a cloud:
Monarch butterfly migration
This is one of the most beautiful sights on the planet. Thousands of bright orange moths in a single burst can cover an impressive mileage, flying from Canada to Mexico and back. Perhaps one of the most interesting facts about the migration of butterflies - this is that during the flight three or four generations of insects are replaced. Despite this, the Monarch butterfly colony is able to cross the Atlantic, and few can boast of such achievements.
False sun or parhelium
A light round spot in the firmament on one side or on both sides of the solar disk. Most often, this is a luminous ring that forms around the light source, but sometimes the shape of the parghelium can be different, sometimes they take the form of a column, a cross, and sometimes they look like a rainbow. Such an amazing phenomenon occurs due to the refraction of light in ice crystals, at an altitude of 5-10 km, it depends on the location of the crystals what the parhelium will look like.
Tubular clouds
They are rare, mainly in tropical latitudes and are associated with the formation of tropical cyclones. The cells are usually about one and a half kilometers in size.
Underwater icicles
When the sea surface freezes, for example around the north and south poles, the process proceeds in such a way that pockets of particularly cold and salty sea water remain on the underside of the ice. This salty mixture is denser than sea water below it, and tends to slowly sink to the bottom. Now, due to the cold, cold water below the salt mass freezes around it as it sinks, causing a giant icicle to appear under the surface of the ice. This phenomenon was first discovered in 1960.
Green ray
It is considered to be a rare optical phenomenon: lasting from 1-2 seconds to 5 minutes, manifested in the form of a flash of green, less often blue light at the moment the solar disk disappears below the horizon (usually sea). Many peoples of the world have a legend according to which, if someone sees the "Green Ray" at sunset, he will find forever a happy and rich destiny, which will bring him only joy in life.
Supercell thunderstorm
Supercell thunderstorms are relatively rare and tend to occur in the central United States in the spring, but pose the greatest threat to human health and life and property. Formed by a huge rotating thundercloud with a height of 10-15 km and about 50 km in diameter and creating extreme weather events: tornadoes, squall wind, large hail.
Pillar of light
The reflection of light by ice crystals with nearly perfectly horizontal flat surfaces creates a strong beam. The light source can be the Sun, the Moon, or even artificial light. Interesting feature is that the pillar will have the color of this source. In this photo, taken in Finland, orange sunlight at sunset creates a gorgeous orange pillar like this:
"Morning Gloria"
The natural phenomenon "Morning Gloria" is very rare in nature. The clouds gather in a kind of thunderstorm collar, which is located at a height of 1-2 kilometers above the ground. The length of these clouds can be up to 1000 kilometers. Similar clouds can be found in Russia, Europe, the United States, and also in other places on our planet. And only in Australia, near Cape York, "Morning Gloria" is constantly formed in the spring. This atmospheric phenomenon is very actively studied by experts from all over the world, but today its nature has not been fully clarified. There are many assumptions on this topic. One of them is that these are dormant tornadoes, the other is that these are spiral arms of cyclones, and the third is that a squall gate that appears before a thunderstorm. But the problem is that such clouds often appear in clear weather.
Moving stones in Death Valley
This mysterious natural phenomenon is observed in National park Death Valley, California. Among this bare space are scattered boulders - seemingly the most ordinary, ranging in size from a soccer ball to half a ton in weight. And these stones tend to change their location, leaving visible traces of their movement.
Fire tornado
Fire tornado is probably the most beautiful and graceful phenomenon associated with fire, which is created by the vertical forces of the vortex. Except for its amazing beauty and magically vivid forms, the firestorm is also very dangerous and destructive. It occurs in areas where tornadoes start in a fire or burning forest, while wind speeds often exceed 100 miles per hour. Such a phenomenon is very rare, and its appearance is as magnificent as it is tragic. Firestorms are real attractions for extreme enthusiasts and photographers.
The immiscible waters of the seas
Strait of Gibraltar connecting the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean... The waters seem to be separated by a film and have a clear boundary between them. Each of them has its own temperature, its own salt composition, animal and vegetable world... Earlier, in 1967, German scientists revealed the fact of non-mixing of water layers in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where the waters of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, the waters of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean converge.
And, perhaps, the most beautiful phenomenon is northern Lights , although it is not at all rare in polar latitudes.
Ancient man respected and revered nature as a deity. No wonder, because the primitive brain was often unable to explain some natural phenomena and perceived them as a miracle. Modern people try to find a rational explanation for everything they see, but the most unusual and rare natural phenomena still boggle the imagination, delight, or even frighten.
Top most unusual natural phenomena
Lights of Saint Elmo
A unique natural phenomenon that was first noticed and described by sailors. It was they who from time to time observed beautiful glowing balls or tassels on the masts and other vertical objects of their ships. Of course, earlier this spectacle was perceived as a miracle and promised success to sailors, because Saint Elm is the patron saint of seafarers. However, in our time, St. Elmo's lights have an explanation.These light sources appear due to the high voltage of the electric field. Accordingly, most often these lights can be seen during a thunderstorm, blizzard or storm. In our time, these lights are also observed on the skin of aircraft, which fell into a cloud of volcanic ash. Sometimes this phenomenon can damage even various electrical appliances.
Biconvex clouds
Biconvex clouds are a stunningly beautiful sight. Most often they can be seen around mountains and high peaked hills. At first glance, such clouds resemble huge flying saucers, lenses or berets. Quite often, this phenomenon is observed in the area of the Shasta and Fujiyama mountains. This is because there is a special way of moving air in these areas. 
By the way, biconvex clouds look frozen and motionless. So they can "hover" over the mountain for several days in a row, until the wind or changing weather conditions force them to dissipate.
Polar Lights
Sometimes the aurora is called "northern lights". It is considered to be one of the most beautiful spectacles in the world. This beauty can be contemplated exclusively in the northern regions, near the poles. As a rule, auroras are bluish in color, less often you can see auroras that shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow. 
This effect arises due to the processes that occur in the upper layers of the atmosphere when charged particles pass near the lines of force of the earth's geomagnetic field. Aurora is observed on average from several hours to several days.
Mirages
This phenomenon can shock even a person with a strong psyche. And this is despite the fact that the nature of mirages has long been scientifically substantiated. And nevertheless, until now, the mystical meaning is attributed to mirages. But in fact, this is only an optical illusion and a special optical effect, which is achieved due to the change in the density of the heated air along the vertical. When certain conditions are met, “visions” appear on the horizon. 
One of the varieties of the mirage is Fata Morgana. This is a very complex optical phenomenon that is extremely rare. Fata Morgana includes several forms of mirages that are repeatedly distorted and quickly replace each other. This creates bizarre pictures that can drive any traveler crazy.
Gloria
Gloria is an optical effect that can be observed if you make a fire at night in the mountains. At the same time, the weather should be with low clouds. If the conditions coincide, a kind of "halo" will appear above your head, and on the clouds you will be able to make out your own shadow. 
This natural effect was especially sensitive in the East. Here gloria is called "the light of the Buddha." It has long been believed that the appearance of a colored halo around the shadow of a person is evidence of his closeness to the Buddha.
Ball lightning
Each of us observed the usual linear lightning, which is accompanied by thunder. However, it is not so common to "meet" ball lightning or fireball. A very rare phenomenon, on average, only about 2-3 ball lightning falls per thousand ordinary lightning. The ball, ranging in color from yellow to scarlet, hovers in the air for a few seconds in an irregular trajectory and disappears. 
It happens that such "guests" appear in homes or airplanes. Scientists have not yet been able to name the exact cause of the occurrence and characterize this phenomenon.
The most unusual natural phenomenon in the world: a fire tornado
One of the most unusual and, at the same time, deadly phenomenon is a fiery tornado. This is a process in the atmosphere when several scattered fires are combined into one powerful tornado. Wherein, air masses over the tornado they heat up and become less dense, which allows the fire element to rise upward, burning everything in its path. The tornado can reach a height of about 5 kilometers! The pressure of hot air reaches hurricane speeds, and the temperature rises to 1000 degrees Celsius. Everything in the area is "sucked in" by the fire. 
Fortunately, this phenomenon is quite rare. However, every appearance of a fiery whirlwind remained in the annals of history. These are the Great London Fire of 1666, the fire in Moscow in 1812, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and other terrible cases of the rampage of the fire element.
Not only natural phenomena can be beautiful, but also the creations of human hands. ...
