An adventurer climbs the frozen inner tombs of an ice cave on the north face of alpine summit at 3,800 meters above sea level. (Photographer: Kamil Tamiola)

A hot air balloon passes through two giant columns of an iceberg near the Arctic Bay. (Photographer: Michelle Valberg)

A bright formation of costumed children in the Philippines performing their routine in celebration of their beautiful coastlines at the Lapyahan festival. (Photographer: Erwin Choachuy)

A massive mesocyclone supercell caught near the Nebrask-Kansas boarder on the night of June 22, 2012. (Photographer: Jennifer Brindley)

A maiko (or traditional Japanese geiko entertainer in training) in Kyoto named Toshimana has her picture taken. (Photographer: Seiya Bowen)

A monochromatic aerial view of the spiraling staircase in the Vatican Museum. (Photographer: Syaza Mohammed Shakharulain)

Photographer Dallas Nagata White was spontaneously dipped and kissed by her husband in the rain amidst an active flow of lava in the former Royal Gardens subdivision above Kalapana, Hawaii. (Photographer: Dallas Nagata White)

2012 National Geographic Photo Contest (part 1):
http://www.teoti.co.uk/photography/118052-2012-national-geographic-photo-contest-part-1.html