Five More Strange and Beautiful Natural Wonders of the World
For billions of years, our earth has been changing. Normal forces at work-- wind, water, minerals, and geologic processes-- have formed some very unusual and beautiful landscapes and features. At this particular moment in time, we, as humans, can see the results of these forces!
What do Devil's Tower in Wyoming, The Giant's Causeway in Ireland, and Easter Island off the coast of Chile have in common?
If you answered basaltic columns, you would be right!
There are many of these unusual formations across the world! These unusual formations are not quite "common" form of basaltic lava flows, but may be found on nearly every continent. They form from basaltic lava flows or in the necks of volcanoes.
The Giant's Causeway, pictured at right, has been formed by a large basaltic lava flow between Scotland and Ireland. The hot lava flow cooled quickly, shrinking as it cooled, forming hexagonal prisms between what is called columnar joints.
Devil's Tower, in Wyoming, is the remnants of the neck of a volcano. The basaltic lava cooled a bit more slowly, seeing as how it was surrounded by volcanic mountain on all sides, but the columnar joints are up to 30 meters long, and quite spectacular!
Basalt columns or pillars are usually five, six, or seven-sided, but some can be three or four-sided, as well.
A bit more eroded, but a part of Easter Island, pictured on the right, the basalt columns were used to carve the famous Moai that line the island, march in rows, and endlessly fascinate those of us who travel to see them.
Basalt has been used for thousands of years as the base rock of statues. One of the more famous basalt statues is that of Amenhotep, King Tut's father. The rock is micro-crystalline, of relatively even hardness, and, though difficult to carve, it is easily polished. Weathering the rock produces fantastic colors of red, green, yellow, or black, based on the rock's mineral content.
Fengals Cave, in Scotland, pictured at right, is another basalt columnar marvel! Warm water from the sea enters the cave, causing fog to form when it reaches the cold air of the cave. This makes the cave seem to be filled with wonder.
This particular cave was formed within an section of the basalt pillars called an entabliture. In an entabliture, the columns are shorter, and may even be tilted or curved. The columns in Fengals Cave are fairly straight, but those in the next photo are actually curved.
Devils Post Pile, in California, exhibits basalt pillars that are curved. Quarries and other areas use the small "tablets" at the bottom of the pile as decorative fountains, posts, or steps in the lawns.
These rocks are used in a variety of ways, since they naturally form into the sided columns. They are very attractive as decorations, and are sliced, polished, and turned into natural works of art!
These five natural wonders are just a start on the beautiful, if odd, formations of basalt pillars found throughout the world! More pictures below!
Basalt pillars in Iceland! These pillars are very unique and are found along the coastline of Iceland-- the Land of Fire and Ice.
The waterfalls over these pillars are found in Santa Maria Regla, in Mexico. The basalt pillars form a very unique kind of waterfall!
These pillars may be found on Chatham Islands, just west of New Zealand. They have weathered to a pale gray and are quite beautiful!
Not as prominent, the basaltic pillars of Ettinger Lay, in Germany, are still a very famous tourist attraction!
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What fun! Devil's Tower, Wyoming is someplace I've always wanted to see! I will be adding the other places to my list of Great places to go!
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From yo last visit to Wyoming....
Thank you for adding these!!! What wonderful pictures!
I was there, only about 50 miles, and never got to see it! ARGHHH! Thank you!
There is a path that goes around the base of the monument that has pipes welded at an angle showing the ladder the Indians would use to climb the tower when they had their cerimomies on top...
Golly! The climbed on top of the thing? EGADS-- but what a spectacular spot for a ceremony!
Love the foggy cave. All are beautiful. Thank you for sharing, so wish some of these sites were a bit closer.
It looks like Scotland to me, all mystery, like it could be filled with fairies..
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