The beautiful, panoramic images above are

The beautiful, panoramic images above are not photographs. They are computer-generated fractal landscapes.

A fractal landscape is a surface generated using a stochastic algorithm designed to produce fractal behavior that mimics the appearance of natural terrain. Many natural phenomena exhibit some form of statistical self-similarity that can be modeled by fractal surfaces. Moreover, variations in surface texture provide important visual cues to the orientation and slopes of surfaces, and the use of almost self-similar fractal patterns can help create natural looking visual effects. Learn more!

Now bring me my Holodeck!