Prepare to Be Astonished: These Colossal Objects Will Completely Redefine Your Concept of “Big”!

Hizkiail - July 5, 2024

Today, there are over 100 recognized phobias, ranging from coulrophobia (fear of clowns) and arachnophobia (fear of spiders) to claustrophobia (fear of tight spaces) and triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13). One of the most fascinating phobias is megalophobia, the fear of massive objects. This can include fear of large items like airplanes and buildings, but it usually focuses on things that are much bigger than they should be.

While people with megalophobia feel intense fear when encountering these giant structures, the internet often finds them fascinating. Here are some of the most interesting—and most frightening—pictures that make megalophobes shiver.

The Legendary “Nope” Fish

One of the largest species of fish in the world, the ocean sunfish, also known as the Mola Mola, can grow up to a whopping 11 feet long. Taking a look at this photo, you can see why it earned the name ocean sunfish: it looks like a giant, white star making its way through the ocean’s waters.

Believe it or not, the heaviest ocean sunfish on record weighed an astonishing 5,071 pounds – that’s over two tons! Luckily for those who enjoy swimming in the sea, the Mola Mola prefers to eat jellyfish and ocean salps, not humans. Thank goodness, because if they ever developed a taste for humans, they could pose a serious threat!

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These Giants Are Way Bigger Than They Appear!

When you see them far out at sea from the coastline, it’s easy to forget just how massive they truly are. It’s only when you see one up close and personal that you start to realize they are essentially floating towns. It’s a bit scary to think that they can still float, even with thousands of people on board!

The ship in the photo above measures an impressive 1,100 feet in length and weighs approximately 97,000 tons when at full capacity. It’s no wonder these vessels have become known as the Titans of the Sea – they look like something out of a Star Wars movie, just on the ocean!

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It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s…

If we saw a massive black squid floating through the sky towards us, we would certainly feel more than a little fear. Thankfully, these are not real flying squids. Instead, they are massive squid kites—though they look more like the evil Dementors from Harry Potter if you ask us!

When you look at pictures like the one above, it’s easy to understand why some people develop megalophobia at a young age. Imagine being four or five years old, enjoying a day at the beach, when suddenly a massive black squid flies over you. That would be downright terrifying!

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Just Feed Me to Godzilla: A Daring Dinner Adventure

Alright, we have to admit, while this will probably trigger some people’s megalophobia, it looks pretty cool to us. This photo comes from Japan, where a theme park decided to build a zipline experience that lets you fly right into the mouth of one of the most gigantic, scariest monsters of all time: Godzilla!

It might not sound fun to everyone, but if you’re a thrill-seeker, this has to be near the top of your list. The best part? This is just phase one of the theme park’s planned Godzilla-themed area. We can’t wait to see what scary and exhilarating rides and experiences will come in phases two and three!

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The Stunning Downfall of a Giant!

It’s not only human beings that can create massive structures – Mother Nature can make some pretty gigantic objects herself. Just take this enormous tree that washed up on a Washington state beach, for example! Scientists think it fell off a nearby island and was carried to shore by the current and waves.

While this tree might seem one of a kind, that’s not actually the case. Many of the trees near this beach, La Push Beach, grow just as tall! While the tree is impressive, what’s even more amazing is thinking about how long it managed to survive to grow that massive. Truly incredible!

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Unveiling the Monarch of All Statues

No questions asked, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most beautiful statues in the world. However, while the statue in the photo below might not be as beautiful, it’s certainly bigger! Known as the Statue of Unity, this gigantic figure, built in India in 2018, stands at a mind-boggling 600 feet tall. That’s 40 stories!

The Statue of Unity is by far the largest statue in the world. India built it to honor Vallabhbhai Patel, the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister, after they gained independence from British rule. Today, the statue receives about 10,000 to 15,000 visitors every day. While some critics argue it was a waste of money, everyone can agree it was an impressive undertaking.

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The Edge of the Abyss: Mirny’s Perilous Pit

No, this isn’t a Photoshop trick. This town is perched on the edge of one of the world’s largest and deepest holes. Created as a diamond mine, Mirny, Russia, sits dangerously close to this massive pit. Playing soccer or baseball nearby? Forget it—you’d lose your ball instantly!

The size and depth of the pit are terrifying enough, but the rumors make it even worse. Locals claim to hear “screams” and “demonic laughter” echoing from the pit at night. It seems the quest for diamonds may have dug too deep. . .

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The Power of Mother Nature: El Reno Tornado’s Devastation

Mother Nature proves her might once again! The largest tornado ever recorded, the El Reno, Oklahoma tornado, is captured below. Amazingly, this isn’t even its widest point—it reached an incredible 2.6 miles in width!

With multiple vortexes, the tornado touched down in various places simultaneously and was part of a larger outbreak from May 26 to 31, 2013. Tragically, this single tornado resulted in eight fatalities and 151 injuries.

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Just the Tip of the Iceberg: Hidden Dangers in Greenland

There’s a reason for the saying “just the tip of the iceberg.” Typically, only about 10% of an iceberg is visible above water, with the rest hidden beneath the surface. This photo of an iceberg floating past a house in Greenland makes us wonder: how much of it is underwater?

The scariest part? It’s not uncommon for giant chunks of icebergs to break off, creating massive waves that head toward shore. The residents of this charming blue house better hope the iceberg stays intact until it drifts far from the coast!

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Abandoned to Our Nightmares: The Haunting Prop Left Behind

Usually, movie props are recycled or reused after filming to save on costs and time. However, after the universally panned horror movie “Redwood” wrapped up, one particular prop was left behind.

If you’re already prone to nightmares about giant demons, this might make them worse. The film crew abandoned a massive skeleton prop in an old mausoleum in Maciejowa, Poland. While critics didn’t love “Redwood,” the scenes with this terrifying prop were likely unforgettable.

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Horrified Tornado: Close Call with Nature’s Fury

This photo captures a terrifying moment. While not the widest tornado ever, the enormous twister behind the woman is just a mile away. Only someone with no fear of death would pose for such a picture. We hope she made it out safely!

This tornado was both strong and powerful, ranking as an F1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with wind speeds between 85 and 115 miles per hour. That’s faster than most cars on the freeway, and we all know the damage they can cause!

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Mercury’s Tiny Presence Against the Sun’s Immensity

At first glance, you might think this is a microscopic image, but it’s not. That tiny black dot is Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun. And that massive ball of light in the background? That’s the Sun!

This photo highlights the immense scale of the star that provides us with warmth and energy. Yet, the Sun isn’t even a particularly large star. The largest star ever discovered, UY Scuti, has a volume roughly 5 billion times that of the Sun. Imagine that!

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Earth’s Vastness from Above

Sometimes, it’s easy to forget how enormous the Earth is. Walking around down here, we can’t truly grasp the planet’s vastness. Then, a photo like this appears, capturing hundreds of miles yet representing only a tiny portion of Earth.

The man in the photo is astronaut Bruce McCandless II, the first to complete an untethered spacewalk using NASA’s Manned Maneuvering Unit. “It was a wonderful feeling,” McCandless said. “A mix of personal elation and professional pride: it had taken many years to get to that point.”

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The Mystery of the Massive Bones

When this enormous set of vertebrae washed up on a Scottish beach, many thought Nessie had escaped Loch Ness. Thankfully, it’s just a portion of a whale’s vertebrae, showcasing the immense size of these ocean giants.

The dog in the photo adds a humorous touch, trying to claim the bone like any other dog would. However, this “bone” is a bit too big to take home and bury in the backyard!

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The Majesty of Mount Fuji

This isn’t a scene from a futuristic movie or a Photoshopped image. It’s a real photo from Fujiyoshida, Japan, with the iconic Mount Fuji towering in the background, its peak rising just over two miles above sea level!

We can’t imagine how anyone in this town gets any work done—we’d be staring at the mountain all day. What many don’t know is that Mount Fuji is an active volcano that erupted for months, from December 1707 to February 1708.

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The Anchors of Massive Ships: An Awe-Inspiring Scale

You’ve seen how enormous ships can be, but what about their anchors? This photo provides some context. The anchor of an average aircraft carrier is 1,440 feet long and weighs 30,000 pounds, with each link alone weighing 136 pounds!

The men in this picture look like dolls in a giant playset, but they are real people. Without anchors, these massive ships would drift aimlessly and crash into the shore. While we appreciate the function of anchors, their immense size can still give us those megalophobia chills!

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Nature’s Towering Giants

If you’ve visited or live near Muir Woods National Monument in Northern California, you’ve seen the incredible redwood trees that thrive there. For those who haven’t, prepare to be amazed!

Muir Woods boasts many massive redwoods, some standing over 60 feet tall. However, the largest redwood is found in Redwood National and State Park, California. This giant stands at 380 feet tall and 40 feet wide—you could literally drive a car through it!

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The Haunting Presence of a Giant Ship

At first glance, this image might seem like a poster for a horror film about a haunted ship, but it’s real! Ships are already imposing in their massive size, but the eerie fog adds an extra layer of creepiness.

Despite the impressive size of this ship, it’s far from the largest ever constructed. The Seawise Giant, the largest ship ever built, sailed from 1979 to 2010. This supertanker was an astounding 1,505 feet long and 230 feet wide, too big to fit in the English Channel, the Suez Canal, or the Panama Canal.

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The Vastness of Slănic Salt Mine

Romania offers many attractions, but one of the most fascinating—and potentially terrifying—is in the town of Slănic. Over 600 feet underground lies the city’s famed salt mine, with an impressive height of 180 feet from floor to ceiling. Fittingly, Slănic translates to “Salt” in Romanian.

See those tiny figures in the bottom left corner? Those are people! Despite the mine’s imposing size, the local government works hard to make visitors feel welcome. Every Christmas, they display massive holiday scenes, complete with a full-size Santa’s sleigh suspended from the ceiling!

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A Wildlife Enthusiast’s Dream, Our Nightmare

A wildlife enthusiast’s dream can be a nightmare for the rest of us! Ontario’s Gil Wizen won the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year award from the Natural History Museum in London for this terrifying photo. While in Ecuador, the photographer and entomologist noticed many small spiders in his room.

Curious, he looked under the bed and came face to face with a giant Brazilian Wandering Spider, as wide as his hand. This spider is not only enormous but also one of the deadliest in the world!

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Fishing For Giants: Reeling in a Colossal Sturgeon

No, that’s not a surfboard—look again! On a Father’s Day fishing trip, newbie anglers Steve Ecklund and Mark Boise, along with Nick McCabe and Tyler Speed from TV’s “River Monster Adventures,” found themselves near Lillooet in Canada. They ended up catching a white sturgeon, but it wasn’t just any old sturgeon!

After an exhausting two-hour struggle, their determination was rewarded with a massive sturgeon, measuring an incredible 10 feet long and boasting a remarkable girth of 57 inches. The sturgeon was ultimately released back into its natural habitat, having been surprisingly devoid of any tags and potentially unmarked by human contact prior to this encounter.

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Meet the Southern Elephant Seal

Ever met a Southern elephant seal? They are the towering titans of the animal kingdom and the undisputed heavyweight champions of the ‘Carnivora’ order. Fully grown adult males can stretch an awe-inspiring 15 to 29 feet in length and weigh a staggering 4,900 to 8,800 pounds.

From their deep, sonorous calls that echo underwater to their incredible ability to dive over 4,921 feet deep and hold their breath for more than two hours, Southern elephant seals are truly amazing!

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The Giant Huntsman Spider

If spiders give you the heebie-jeebies, look away now. Barnyard Betty’s Rescue, an animal sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, shared images of a remarkable spider they rescued and released, named Charlotte.

Huntsman spiders, while large, are not dangerous to humans. A bite may cause mild discomfort, swelling, or pain. Typically, huntsman spiders measure about 1 inch with a leg span of 5 inches. Charlotte, however, belongs to the larger category, boasting a leg span of up to 12 inches—comparable to a dinner plate.

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The Spectacular Seebühne Stage in Austria

Prepare to be dazzled by the “Seebühne,” a remarkable floating open-air theater stage in Bregenz, Austria, known for its jaw-dropping installations. In 2017, visitors could watch a play unfold on a stage supported by two gigantic hands dealing cards.

This extraordinary stage weighed 44,092 pounds and stood an impressive 56 feet high. With each new play, the Seebühne transforms, offering audiences new art installations that push the boundaries of imagination, leaving everyone spellbound and inspired.

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The 2019 Bregenz Festival’s Stunning Stage

At the Bregenz Festival in Austria, art and engineering take center stage. In 2019, for Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto,” they outdid themselves with a breathtaking floating stage. This colossal structure, weighing an astounding 140 tonnes, featured a mesmerizing 39-foot-high clown’s head and hands.

Beyond its immense size, the installation incorporated advanced stage technology, allowing the massive structure to move in sync with the musical and dramatic actions of the performers. This innovation enabled the stage to become an active participant in the storytelling process, captivating audiences with its dynamic presence.

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Japan’s Colossal Gundam Robot

Oh Japan! Is there anything you can’t do? Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the country unveiled an awe-inspiring tribute to its rich pop culture heritage: a towering Gundam robot in Yokohama, standing tall at 60 feet.

This robotic titan, modeled after the iconic RX-78-2 from the beloved anime series, isn’t just a sculpture; it’s an engineering masterpiece. Capable of walking, with flashing LED lights and moving limbs, it can even step out of its dock. This spectacle blends futuristic technology with the fantasy of mecha anime, showcasing Japan’s ingenuity & creativity.

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88 Seconds Is All You Need: The Bailong Elevator Experience

No, this isn’t an extreme introvert’s lair built for solitude—it’s a tourist hotspot! The adventure begins at the Bailong Elevator, an engineering marvel in China’s Zhangjiajie Forest Park. Known as the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, it whisks passengers up 1,070 feet in just 88 seconds.

With three double-decker cabins, this elevator offers panoramic views of the breathtaking landscape that inspired the visually stunning world of Pandora in the movie “Avatar.” This swift ascent provides a unique and unforgettable vantage point on the park’s natural beauty.

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The Story Behind Tampa Airport’s Giant Flamingo

The towering 21-foot flamingo sculpture at Tampa International Airport has quickly captured the hearts of visitors, becoming a must-see for countless travel selfies. Unveiled in 2022 by artist Matthew Mazzotta, who initially named it “Home,” this art installation was commissioned for $520,000.

To find a fitting name for this jumbo creation, a contest was organized, engaging the public and offering an enticing prize: four roundtrip tickets on Silver Airways for the winner and three friends, among other rewards. With 37,000 votes in his favor, retired teacher Bryan M. proposed the winning name, “Phoebe.”

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The Atlanta Marriott Marquis Atrium

If you’re unsure what you’re looking at, let us break it down for you. Checking into the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, riding all the way up, and then looking down at the people below can give a sense of just how tiny we are! This iconic 52-story, 1600-room hotel is renowned for its stunning atrium.

At 554 feet, it’s not even the tallest skyscraper in the city—it’s the 15th tallest! Besides the breathtaking views of the atrium, the hotel rooms offer spectacular views of the city.

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The Awe-Inspiring Gergeti Trinity Church

While this photo might resemble a tsunami scene from a movie like “2012,” it’s actually real! What appears to be a massive wall of water approaching the church is, in fact, the slopes of Mount Kazbek, a dormant volcano on the border of Georgia and Russia.

The history of Gergeti Trinity Church is as fascinating as the photograph. Built in the 14th century by an unknown architect, the church has stood against the elements for centuries. It has since become a symbol of nature’s vastness and a popular waypoint for backpackers.

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Hauler vs. School Bus: A Lesson in Scale

Most children love playing with toy trucks and cars, enjoying the freedom to create their own adventures. But one thing toy vehicles can’t do is show you just how big real trucks can get.

In this photo, that’s not a miniature, remote-control toy school bus behind an average truck—that’s a real school bus! The comparison highlights the immense size of haulers. A field trip to the local mine might have sounded fun before, but now we’d rather head to the zoo and look at the animals!

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A Haunting Message in Venice

Most sculptures are meant to beautify an area, but occasionally, they are designed to inform, stun, or even terrify—like these hands rising out of a canal in Venice, created by world-renowned Italian sculptor Lorenzo Quinn. Can you guess the statement he was trying to make with these striking hands?

Lorenzo, the son of famed actor Anthony Quinn, aimed to highlight the issue of climate change and the potential loss of Venice to rising sea levels. While there might have been less eerie ways to make his point, there’s no denying that Lorenzo delivered his message in a powerful and impactful manner.

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The Real Tower of Rapunzel: King Alfred’s Tower

The story of Rapunzel is actually based on the old French tale of Saint Barbara. While the original tower of Saint Barbara has been lost to time, many historians believe it might have looked something like King Alfred’s Tower in Brewham, England.

To give you some perspective, that tiny speck on the ground is a person. Built by Henry Flitcroft in the late 1700s, this tower rises 161 feet into the air and is almost entirely hollow inside, except for a spiral staircase that leads to the top.

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The Muscular Kangaroo of Brisbane

When you think of kangaroos, you might picture something bouncy and cute, like Kanga and Roo from Winnie the Pooh. However, many kangaroos are strong and tall, posing a danger to humans who accidentally cross their path.

Take this kangaroo, for example, which was spotted hopping around the suburbs of Brisbane, Australia, in 2015. Not only was it muscular, but it also stood at six-and-a-half feet tall! To make matters worse, it started intimidating locals by following them around town. Thankfully, animal experts helped relocate the kangaroo to a safer location.

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The 1980 Eruption of Mount Saint Helens

The eruption of Mount Saint Helens on March 27, 1980, remains one of the most devastating events in American history. It triggered the largest landslide on record, produced an ash cloud that spread over 15 miles, and resulted in a death toll of 55 to 60 people, depending on the source. It was undoubtedly the definition of “Mother Nature’s fury.”

During the eruption, Mount Saint Helens released an astonishing 24 megatons of energy—1,600 times more than an atomic bomb. However, as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. The eruption has provided scientists with invaluable knowledge about volcanoes, helping to prevent similar disasters in the future.

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The Empire State Building seen from New Jersey

The Empire State Building is undeniably one of the most famous icons of America, symbolizing New York City and the business world. However, this image of the famed skyscraper makes it appear more imposing than inspiring, with the multi-story buildings beneath it looking like mere dollhouses!

The Empire State Building certainly deserves its place in the record books. It has stood for nearly 100 years and rises to a towering 1,454 feet from base to the tip of its tallest antenna. Despite its impressive height, it is now the 4th tallest building in New York City, the 6th tallest in the U.S., and the 43rd tallest in the world.

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The Terrifying Japanese Spider Crab

This creature looks like something straight out of an underwater horror film—pure nightmare fuel. The incredible Japanese Spider Crab can grow up to 12 feet in leg span and weigh up to 45 pounds, crawling along the ocean floor. That’s a big nope from us.

Despite their creepy appearance, the Japanese Spider Crab is an important species. Unfortunately, they have become endangered over the past few decades due to overfishing. So, how about a new deal: we leave the Japanese Spider Crabs alone, and they leave us alone? It’s a win-win!

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The Mystical Dragon’s Eye Cave

Deep within West Lancashire, England, lies a hidden cave closely guarded by residents. Entry is possible only through a “window in the floor,” and the coordinates are given out only to urban explorers deemed respectful by the locals. Those fortunate enough to enter find one of the most impressive caves in the world: the Dragon’s Eye Cave.

This incredible cave has a spherical top, making it look as though a massive dragon is staring at you with its one open eye. We just hope it never blinks! “It’s believed to be where the roof has collapsed,” one local, who wishes to remain anonymous, explained to the online magazine LancsLive.

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Mauritius’ Mesmerizing Illusion

Off the coast of the Republic of Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, lies one of the most remarkable sights in the world: an underwater waterfall. While it certainly looks like a waterfall, it’s actually sediment falling into the deep, dark unknown. Despite its appearance, it’s safe to swim and surf over this underwater “waterfall.”

The breathtaking view resembles a living painting created by Mother Nature and Salvador Dali. It’s no wonder the coasts of Mauritius have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ensuring their protection for all time. However, those with megalophobia might want to skip this beach vacation!

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Towering Scottish Heights: The Majestic Lochaber

When you think of Scotland’s landscape, moors, rolling hills, and green valleys often come to mind. However, Scotland also boasts towering mountains, especially in the Lochaber region of the Scottish Highlands, where stunning peaks rise beside the coast.

Without the boat and town lights in the picture, Lochaber might look more like a scene from Mars or the Moon. But this image was captured right here on Earth! Adding to the mystique, local legend says a “glaistig,” a monstrous woman-goat hybrid, roams the peaks at night, making the landscape even more intriguing.

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Hide and Seek Game: Saturn’s Awe-Inspiring Presence

When NASA launched the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) in 2009 to map the Moon, they also captured one of the most awe-inspiring photos of Saturn. To put it in perspective: while Saturn is 20 times larger than the Moon, it’s over 3,000 times further away from the Moon than the Moon is from Earth.

Given that distance, the fact that Saturn looks so close in the photo highlights just how massive it is! This image reminds us that we are tiny specks of dust on the cosmic scale. Consider also that Jupiter experiences hurricane-like storms larger than our entire planet. It’s a humbling reminder of our place in the universe.

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Twister 2: The Waterspout

What looks scarier than a massive tornado? A towering waterspout! This image, captured by a brave photographer, shows a gigantic waterspout off the coast of Clearwater, Florida. Incredibly, waterspouts can spin at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour!

Waterspouts are not uncommon off the coast of Florida or the Caribbean islands. Thankfully, while they might look terrifying, they are much less dangerous than twisters. Waterspouts can only occur over water, so while they can harm boats, they dissipate the minute they hit land.

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Scare Your Neighbors: The 12-Foot Skeleton

If you’re not a big fan of Halloween, you might have missed that Home Depot started selling one of the scariest decorations ever: a massive 12-foot skeleton. This colossal figure is sure to freak out all your neighbors. We can’t imagine why anyone would want to create such a monstrosity.

Not everyone found the giant skeleton terrifying, though. The person who posted this photo captioned it, “The Home Depot giant skeleton is the only good thing to collectively happen to us this year (2020). I love him.” We’re glad someone loves him, but we’re guessing the neighborhood didn’t share the sentiment!

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The Majestic Dunes of Deadvlei

The sand dunes of Deadvlei, Namibia, are considered by many to be the largest in the world. The desert stretches over 1,300 miles and has become a popular spot for photographers worldwide. Looking at the picture below, it’s easy to see why!

The sand dune in the photo is known as Big Daddy Dune—a very fitting name—reaching a height of 1,200 feet. However, believe it or not, it’s not the tallest dune in Deadvlei. Geographers have discovered dunes in Deadvlei that measure up to 1,315 feet!

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The Hands of a Giant: Vietnam’s Stunning Golden Bridge

One of the most beautiful bridges in the world is the Golden Bridge, located outside the city of Da Nang, Vietnam. It looks as though a giant has emerged from the Earth, holding the bridge up with its massive, stony hands! Created in 2018 by TA Landscape Architecture, this bridge is a marvel that induces both awe and megalophobia-induced nightmares.

Planning a visit to the Golden Bridge? It’s not easy! Besides flying to Vietnam, you’ll need to take a cable car ride up a steep incline to reach the bridge, which provides a scenic overlook of the Bà Nà Hills resort gardens.

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The 2nd Largest Statue in the World: The Spring Temple Buddha

While we’ve seen the largest statue in the world, the Statue of Unity, standing nearly 600 feet tall, the second largest is also awe-inspiring! The Spring Temple Buddha in Lushan, China, stands 420 feet tall, earning it the silver medal in the largest statue competition.

Including the building and platform, the entire monument reaches an impressive 682 feet in the air! As shown in the right-hand photo, visitors can climb to the top platform to see the statue in all its incredible glory. To give you a sense of scale, people standing at the top of the platform don’t even reach the statue’s toes!

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Swimming with a Legend

We wish we could tell you this image is just a good Photoshop job, but it’s not. This is a real-life photo of a woman swimming with the legendary Brutus the Crocodile. For those unfamiliar, Brutus is an 80-year-old croc measuring just over 18 feet from tip to tail!

Believe it or not, crocodiles evolved even before the dinosaurs. Despite 65 million years of change on Earth, crocodiles still swim around, eating nearly anything they can find with their gigantic jaws. It really does seem like everything in Australia wants to eat you. We have no idea why this woman would want to swim with Brutus—we just hope everything turned out okay!

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Tokyo’s Underground Cathedral

Hidden far beneath the streets of Tokyo, Japan, lies one of the most miraculous engineering marvels in the world: the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, also known as Tokyo’s flood tunnels. This impressive, cathedral-like structure was built to manage water overflow during rain and typhoon seasons, as well as tsunamis.

As the photo above shows, it is the world’s largest underground floodwater diversion facility. The structure features five containment silos, each 215 feet tall and 105 feet wide. The tiny people in the photo emphasize its immense scale. “You find yourself being a tiny part of this humongous system,” said Dr. Cecilia Tortajada after visiting the tunnels. “You realize how well-prepared Tokyo is.”

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Some Good from the worst: Soweto’s Creative Transformation

Just outside Johannesburg, South Africa, in the town of Soweto, stands the decommissioned Orlando Power Station. Instead of letting the power station rot away, locals transformed it into a massive, colorful attraction where people can bungee jump. See that bridge between the two towers? People actually bungee off that!

While this might trigger megalophobia, it’s inspiring to see the community finding ways to improve their surroundings. Not only did they beautify two abandoned power towers, but they also created a tourist attraction that boosts the local economy.

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It’s Just One Picture: The Beached MV Xanthea

At first glance, this image looks like two photos stitched together in Photoshop: a large ship on the ocean and the end of a beautiful golf course. But we’re here to blow your mind—it’s really just one unedited picture!

The ship, the MV Xanthea, ran aground and beached after storms in June 2007, leading to the incredible scene you see above. Thankfully, the owner, Sasebo Heavy Industries Co., managed to unbeach and repair the boat. Today, it still sails the seven seas! Nonetheless, the sight of the MV Xanthea caused many megalophobic nightmares.

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Where’s the Bottom? The Hidden Mass of Icebergs

Earlier, we explored the tip of a giant iceberg. But the bottom? That’s a different story. Most of the time, it’s nearly impossible to see the bottom of an iceberg, as 90% of its mass hides under the ocean’s surface.

Looking at the image above and seeing how far down this iceberg descends, we hope we never encounter the bottom! Who knows what lives down there in the deep, dark blue? It’s truly hard to imagine just how massive icebergs are—and thinking about it is sure to trigger your megalophobia!

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Clouds: Nature’s Post-Storm Spectacle

If we were about to go on a nice day sail and then looked up into the sky to see these clouds, we would turn right around. Not only are they incredibly creepy looking—or beautiful, depending on who you ask—but they are also massive! Interestingly, these clouds were only named and proposed in 2009.

Known as asperitas clouds (which translates to “roughness,” appropriately), they were officially accepted by the International Cloud Atlas in 2017. These ominous-looking clouds are particularly common over the plains states in the U.S., where they follow thunderstorm activity. So, while they look creepy, they actually signal that the storm has passed!

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The Majestic Kelpies

No, these are not gigantic horses emerging from the Earth to reclaim their lands. The Kelpies are two horse-head sculptures that depict the Scottish water spirits and stand nearly 100 feet tall. As you can see, they look even more dramatic during lightning storms—but what doesn’t?

These statues are located along the Forth and Clyde Canal in Scotland, serving as a “water-borne, towering gateway into The Helix, the Forth and Clyde Canal, and Scotland,” according to their creator, sculptor Andy Scott. They translate the legacy of the area into proud equine guardians. It’s no wonder they have been called “Scotland’s most complex sculptures.”

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Megalophobia With a Purpose: The Immensity of the Hoover Dam

A lot of things that cause megalophobia are pieces of art or works of mother nature. Fewer, however, are working objects that make our lives much easier. The Hoover Dam is one of those exceptions. This massive concrete structure impounds Lake Mead, the largest water reservoir in the U.S., and stands a whopping 727 feet high and 1,244 feet wide!

The height and length are not the only impressive facts about the Hoover Dam. Did you know it generates roughly 4 billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power each year? It’s true! However, this remarkable feat came at a high cost: over 100 men lost their lives during the dam’s construction.

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The World’s Largest Clock Tower

We’ve looked at some of the biggest buildings of all time, but what about the world’s largest clock tower? That title goes to the Abraj Al-Bait Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The clock stands an astounding 1,900 feet above the ground, with a face that has a diameter of 140 feet!

And yes, that really is a person sitting on top of it! These gigantic towers and statues do not clean themselves; workers need to go up there and maintain them. “It’s really not a dangerous job if you follow the rules and pay attention,” one tower climber said. “I’d rather be on a tower than climbing a tree or on a roof.”

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The Tallest Tree in the World: Hyperion

Meet Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world. This 750-year-old coast redwood, scientifically known as Sequoia sempervirens, can be found in a remote area of the Redwood National and State Park in northern California. Amazingly, Hyperion stands just over 380 feet tall—that’s as tall as a 26-story building!

Since its discovery, scientists and park rangers have worked hard to keep Hyperion’s location a secret to allow it to grow in peace. However, because it towers over the rest of the trees in the forest, it’s not too difficult to spot. Interestingly, researchers believe that woodpecker damage at the top may have prevented Hyperion from growing even taller.

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The Massive Stuffed Bunny of Piedmont, Italy

There are plenty of reasons to visit the rolling hills of northern Italy: the food, the sights, the nature, the people. However, most people do not go to see a massive, 200-foot-long stuffed bunny. Yet, that didn’t stop an artist from creating this strange installation on a hillside in Piedmont, Italy.

On the left, you can see what the bunny looked like from the air in 2005. On the right, you can see just how big it is—those people are standing in and on the open mouth of the giant pink stuffed animal. Unfortunately, due to the fabric and stuffing used, the entire art installation decayed to nothingness by 2016.

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The Giant Otodus Megalodon

If you’re not afraid of sharks, then you may not have heard of the Otodus megalodon. This shark—whose name literally means “big tooth”—was the largest shark ever to exist. The photo below shows just how enormous its jaw was; it could have swallowed a Mini Cooper whole!

As you might imagine, the megalodon was one of the most powerful and largest predators ever to roam the seas. Thankfully for those who enjoy swimming in the ocean, these creatures no longer exist. However, some scientists speculate that one or two might still be hiding in the deepest parts of the sea.

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The IM Cooling Tower in Monceau-sur-Sambre

In the small, quiet town of Monceau-sur-Sambre, Belgium, stands one of the largest abandoned structures in the world, the IM Cooling Tower. Although the power plant officially shut down in 2007, the main tower still looms over the town like an ominous, dystopian giant.

It’s hard to grasp the scale without people in the photo, but this cooling tower stands an impressive 400 feet tall! As the building continues to decay and nature takes over, there could be a danger of the tower collapsing in on itself. For now, it remains a favorite destination for urban explorers. However, those with megalophobia should probably stay away.

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The World’s Worst Traffic Disaster

No, this isn’t a picture of a mall parking lot just before Christmas. It’s an image of the world’s worst traffic jam on one of the world’s biggest highways, the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway. While the sheer size of the highway might trigger your megalophobia, the traffic jam story is even more astonishing.

The bumper-to-bumper disaster occurred during Golden Week, a week-long Chinese national holiday. Believe it or not, the traffic jam lasted just over 12 days—yes, you read that right—with some drivers moving less than one mile a day. We just have one question: what happens when someone in the middle lanes needs to go to the bathroom?

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Manta Ray: The Largest Ever Captured

The manta ray in the photo below is the largest ever captured by a human. This enormous creature measured a staggering 20 feet from wingtip to wingtip and weighed more than 5,000 pounds. While the species, Manta birostris, is known to be the largest type of manta ray, no one had ever seen one this big!

The man standing beside the massive ray is Captain A.L. Khans, a fisherman from New Jersey, who brought this behemoth ashore. In case you’re wondering, the little manta ray he holds in his hand is an 18-inch ray born shortly after its mother was dragged ashore.

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The History of Storm Chasing

While we’ve seen many amazing photos of massive tornadoes, this one is extra special—it’s one of the first photos of a tornado ever taken. This image marks the birth of a hobby that few megalophobes could ever get into: storm chasing.

The man who captured this historic photo, David Hoadley, is internationally recognized as the creator of storm chasing. Hoadley began his hobby by listening to announcements from nearby weather stations and airports, and he later founded Storm Track Magazine. The image above appeared in the first issue, of course.

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The Colossal Bullwinkle Oil Platform

Seeing a picture of an oil platform out at sea makes it hard to grasp their sheer size. However, when you look at a photo like this, it truly highlights the incredible undertaking involved in constructing and positioning these ocean giants.

The oil platform in the photo, nicknamed Bullwinkle, is one of the most impressive creations in human history. Standing 1,900 feet tall (the equivalent of a 125-story building), it used ten times more steel than the Eiffel Tower and weighs over 50,000 tons! The project took more than five years to complete and cost over $1.2 billion in today’s money.

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A Fearless Sunbather’s Perch

This man certainly does not have megalophobia—or a fear of heights, for that matter. Despite the immense size and height of the wind turbine, he chose it as his sunbathing spot. Unfortunately, this picture raises more questions than it answers. Was he working up there and decided to take a break, or does he climb up there just for fun?

The best part? This fearless man had no problem with a drone interrupting his sunbathing session. He simply waved and then returned to his nap in the sun. While we could never climb something that massive, we have to tip our hat to him—the view must be magnificent!

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Angriest Mountain: The Eruptions of Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius in Italy is one of the angriest mountains in the world, having erupted more than 30 times. Of course, the most famous eruption occurred in AD 79, when the ash destroyed the city of Pompeii. The most recent explosion, in 1944, provided a first-hand look at what those previous eruptions must have been like.

The 1944 eruption resulted in the destruction of four nearby villages and the U.S. Army Air Force’s 340th Bombardment Group, stationed at the Pompeii Airfield in Poggiomarino. The eruption caused “almost complete devastation,” with the Air Force losing $25 million worth of aircraft. Thankfully, no pilots were lost.

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Since Time Immemorial: The Fascination with Massive Creatures

Massive animals and objects have always fascinated human beings—even those with megalophobia. While Brutus, the 80-year-old crocodile from Australia, might be the most enormous living croc, it’s not the largest ever recorded. Back in 1957, Polish hunter Krystina Pawlowski chased down a 28-foot crocodile!

This incredible catch made Pawlowski something of a celebrity, earning her the nickname “One Shot” and landing her in the Guinness Book of World Records. Today, Pawlowski’s catch remains the largest crocodile ever recorded. We’re just glad we never found ourselves in the water with this colossal creature.

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The Immense Size of Comet G7P

Yes, this one is Photoshopped. However, it can still certainly trigger your megalophobia! The giant rock is a representation of an actual comet, Comet G7P, which floats around our solar system. The city below? Los Angeles. That’s really how big Comet G7P is! Thankfully, the chances of it hitting Earth anytime soon are less than 0.1%.

Incredibly, Comet G7P, which is large enough to cover Los Angeles, is far from the biggest comet we have ever discovered. Despite its size, the European Space Agency successfully launched a lander named Philae to land on the comet when it flew by in 2014—and it worked!

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