Picturesque rock formation along a coral-eroded shore with a striped appearance from oxidation.
Flickr user: Matthew Fang (2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) – Link
Tag: Nature
Penitentes – Spikey Snow Formations in the Andes resembling to praying folk
Penitentes are snow formations found at high altitudes. They take the form of elongated, thin blades of hardened snow or ice, closely spaced and pointing towards the direction of the sun.
The name comes from the resemblance of a field of penitentes to a crowd of kneeling people doing penance. The formation evokes the tall, pointed habits and hoods worn by brothers of religious orders in the Processions of Penance during Spanish Holy Week. In particular the brothers’ hats are tall, narrow, and white, with a pointed top.
These spires of snow and ice grow over all glaciated and snow-covered areas in the Dry Andes above 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) and range in length from a few centimeters to over 5 meters (16 ft).
info: wikipedia
By ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org) – CC BY 4.0, Link
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Blackchurch Rock – Striking rock with a double arch
The impressive Blackchurch rock is a large arch stack found at Mouthmill Cove, on the North Devon coast, UK. Has to be seen at low tide to get the full effect.
© Copyright Stuart Fiddes and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. (via)
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Adrspach-Teplice Rocks – Massive sandstone rocks that take the shape of pillars, columns and labyrinths
The Adršpach-Teplice Rocks comprise some of the most popular rock formations in the Czech Republic. A sandstone rock town with many bizarre formations up to 300ft high open to the public since the middle of 18th century.
The Adršpach-Teplice Rocks are an unusual set of sandstone formations covering 17 km2 in northeastern Bohemia. The rocks have been protected as a national nature reserve since 1933, and since 1991 the whole adjacent region of Broumovsko has enjoyed the status of protected landscape area. Tourists may visit the rocks via a number of marked trails. The area is a popular destination for rock climbers.
Andrzej Nowak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Desert Rose — Rose-like formation of crystal clusters
Desert rose is the colloquial name given to rose-like formations of crystal clusters of gypsum or baryte which include sand grains. The ‘petals’ are crystals fanning open in radiating flattened crystal clusters. The rosette crystal habit tends to occur when the crystals form in arid sandy conditions, such as the evaporation of a shallow salt basin. The crystals form a circular array of flat plates, giving the rock a shape similar to a rose blossom.
info: wikipedia
Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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King of Wings rock formation
King of Wings, a rock formation in the remote part of the badlands of San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico, seems to defy the laws of physics and gravity. A piece of sandstone jutting out ten feet into the air that sits atop a column of stone hoodoo is a spectacle to see.
John Fowler/FLICKR (CC BY 2.0)
Hair Ice – Fungus shapes a strange kind of ice that is found on rotting logs
Hair ice, also known as ice wool or frost beard, is a type of ice that forms on dead wood and takes the shape of fine, silky hair. It is somewhat uncommon, and has been reported mostly at latitudes between 45–55 °N in broad leaf forests. Hair ice forms on moist, rotting wood from broad leaf trees when temperatures are slightly under 0 °C (32 °F) and the air is humid. Each of the smooth, silky hairs has a diameter of about 0.02 mm (0.0008 in) and a length of up to 20 cm (8 in). The hairs are brittle, but take the shape of curls and waves. They can maintain their shape for hours and sometimes days. A piece of wood that produces hair ice once may continue to produce it over several years.
In the year 2015, German and Swiss scientists identified the fungus Exidiopsis effusa as key to the formation of hair ice. The fungus was found on every hair ice sample examined by the researchers, and disabling the fungus with fungicide or hot water prevented hair ice formation.
info: wikipedia
Des Colhoun / A mystery of Nature on Altyre Estate
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Three Whale Rock – Incredible Rock Formation in Thailand’s National Forest
Hin Sam Wan (Three Whale Rock), is a 75 million-year-old rock formation at the top of the mountains in Thailand. It earned its name because from the right perspective, it bears a remarkable resemblance to a family of whales.
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Thimmamma Marrimanu – The Biggest Tree Canopy on the Planet
Thimmamma Marrimanu in India is world’s largest banyan tree. It appears to be an entire forest, with Its canopy covers 19,107 m2 (4.721 acres). In 1989 it was recorded as the largest tree specimen in the world in the Guinness Book of World Records . According to a local myth, the tree is named after Thimmamma, a woman who committed sati (suicide by throwing herself on the funeral pyre of her husband’s dead body). The tree is said to have originated from one of the poles used in the funeral pyre. Thimmamma Marrimanu contains a small temple at its base and is still worshiped to this day by the local community.
Satellite view of Thimmamma Marrimanu MAP DATA © 2017 Google (CREATIVE COMMONS)
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Lake Powell – Blue waters and red rock vistas
Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir on the Colorado River in Utah and Arizona, United States. The Lake was created by the flooding of Glen Canyon by the Glen Canyon Dam, which also led to the 1972 creation of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a popular summer destination of public land. The lake also stretches up the Escalante River and San Juan River where they merge into the main Colorado River. This provides access to many natural geographic points of interest such as the Rainbow Bridge, the Hite Crossing Bridge, Cathedral in the Desert and San Juan goosenecks. The sparkling blue waters of Lake Powell are magnificently framed by towering rock formations and soaring red cliffs which surround the area for as far as the eye can see.
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ALAN SCHMIERER / CC0
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