Red, white, purple eroded sandstone cliffs, ocean, Morro Branco, Ceará, Brazil

An imperiled paradise

The cliffs of reddish, sandy clay that rise above Morro Branco beach are beautiful, but not invincible. The parade of waves we see in the distance washes endlessly against the lower layers of the Beberibe Cliffs, while wind and rain batter the upper reaches. So whether through slow erosion or sudden landslips, this Brazilian natural monument is continually crumbling away. Add heavy foot traffic to the mix and it spells danger to humans and the landscape alike—so only guided tours are allowed to explore here.