13 Incredible Natural Rock Formations That Defy Belief
Nature has proven to be an incredible artist with millions of years of experience shaping many majestic and beautiful structures. Among these wonders are colossal monoliths, smooth geometric structures, and sandstone formations that will leave you in awe.
Step into nature’s museum and wonder at the beauty of the natural world. Here are 13 Incredible Natural Rock formations you absolutely need to see.
The Wave, Arizona
The Wave in Arizona is like walking through a painting. The swirling sandstone patterns of orange, pink, and yellow make this a tourist favorite. The Wave was formed in the Paria Canyon – Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness over 190 million years ago, through erosion by wind and water. Its fragile beauty means only 64 people a day can visit, and a permit is required.
Northern Ireland: Giant’s Causeway
Giant’s Causeway is believed to have been built by giants, probably because it looks otherworldly. About 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed from an ancient volcanic eruption creating a natural wonder. Locals tell the tale of how a giant named Finn McCool built the causeway to get to Scotland. Whether you believe the legend or the lava, one thing’s certain: Walking on these hexagonal stones feels like entering another dimension.
China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
If these sandstone pillars look familiar, then that’s because you’ve probably seen depictions of them in the popular series ‘Avatar’. This Chinese landscape inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains and towers over 3,000 feet. Erosion and weathering shaped these pillars and one or two now support lush vegetation. There’s even a bottomed glass bridge in the park where you can admire the formations and test your courage.
Bryce Canyon Hoodoos, Utah
The hoodoos, rows of slender, spired rock formations that rise dramatically from the Earth like a natural cathedral, are found in Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park. Over millions of years, the forces of frost and stream erosion carved these surreal structures. Geologists say that the limestone, siltstone, and mudstone layers eroded unevenly, leaving the intricate shapes you see today. The Paiute people believed the hoodoos to be ancient beings turned to stone by vengeful gods, according to the National Park Service.
Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand
The Moeraki Boulders are an unusual geological phenomenon, scattered like giant marbles along Koekohe Beach. These spherical rocks, some over six feet in diameter, are concretions, formed over 60 million years ago. Local Māori legends believe they are the remains of eel baskets and calabashes that washed ashore after a great canoe wreck. They’re photogenic no matter what time you see them: sunrise, sunset, or during the day.
Arches National Park, Utah
Utah Park’s arches are beautiful rainbows of stone. This park features over 2,000 of nature’s arches including the famous Delicate Arch, but it is really the masterpiece of erosion and deposition. Millions of years of wind and water formed these sandstone formations.
Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia
Uluru is a cultural icon and sacred site for the Anangu people of Australia, according to the National Museum of Australia. This sandstone monolith rises 1,142 feet above the surrounding plains and glows a fiery red at sunrise and sunset. Not only is it a visual feast, but it’s also geologically fascinating. Uluru was formed about 550 million years ago and is in reality the tip of a huge underground rock formation. It’s one of the most photographed places on Earth for good reason.
Devil’s Tower, Wyoming
Devil’s Tower, which featured in the sci-fi movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, was formed from volcanic rock and is a striking monolithic formation, which towers 867 feet above the Belle Fourche River. It is an awe-inducing structure and a must-see.
Wave Rock, Australia
As its name suggests, Wave Rock is a 50-foot-high formation that resembles a frozen ocean wave mid-crash. This granite formation lies in Western Australia and is believed to be some 2.7 billion years old. The streaks of color are from mineral deposits in the rock and water erosion sculpted the “wave” shape. Wave Rock is a popular spot for photographers and a beloved natural wonder.
Chocolate Hills, Philippines
These chocolate truffle-looking hills, known as the Chocolate Hills (really limestone formations covered in green grass that turns brown in the dry season), can be found throughout Bohol Island. Local folklore says that the rocks were thrown by two giants fighting, but geologists say they formed millions of years ago underwater.
Meteora, Greece
Meteora is a spiritual and geological marvel. The towering rock formations are topped by monasteries where monks seek solitude or divine inspiration. It was built by monks in the 14th century. The pinnacles were formed 60 million years ago through water and wind erosion of sandstone. Meteora is nowadays a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the ingenuity of architecture is harmoniously joined with the miracle of nature.
Madagascar’s Tsingy de Bemaraha
Tsingy de Bemaraha translates to ‘where one cannot walk barefoot’ and is intriguing and intimidating. These razor-sharp limestone formations have evolved into a rugged landscape, home to flora and fauna like chameleons and lemurs. Scientists think these ‘stone forests’ were formed by softer rock being dissolved by rainwater over millions of years. It requires careful planning to visit and has unforgettable views.
Arizona-Utah Border, Monument Valley
Monument Valley has been featured in many Western movies. Its sandstone buttes, some over 1,000 feet, make for a surreal desert landscape. For more than 250 million years, these formations have stood through erosion and sediment deposition. A guided tour with a Navajo guide will give you a thorough education of the sacred nature of the valley as it is culturally and historically significant to the Navajo Nation.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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