What Are These Strange Towers Growing Out of This Lake?

In kitchens around the world, truffles represent culinary excellence and prestige, but in the forest they’re just another flora fighting to exist, using somewhat…unusual methods. In the lush woodland of the Pacific Northwest, these modest mushrooms’ adaptation strategies are promoting not only their own survival, but that of their forest ecosystem at large.

Antelope Canyon might be the most visited and photographed slot canyon in the world, but there is more to this ancient sandstone structure than meets the eye. Formed millions of years ago, and revered as a spiritual site for the Navajo Nation, the origins of this geologic wonder are as fascinating as its beauty is renowned.

Below the Chihuahuan Desert in southeastern New Mexico, lies an extensive system of limestone caves, among them the famed Carlsbad Cavern, home to one of North America's largest underground chambers. But there is more to this subterranean world than gigantic geological formations. It is also ground zero for a microbial war that’s been raging for thousands of years, right beneath our feet.