List of rock formations explained
A rock formation is an isolated, scenic, or spectacular surface rock outcrop. Rock formations are usually the result of weathering and erosion sculpting the existing rock. The term rock formation can also refer to specific sedimentary strata or other rock unit in stratigraphic and petrologic studies.
A rock structure can be created in any rock type or combination:
- Igneous rocks are created when molten rock cools and solidifies, with or without crystallisation. They may be either plutonic bodies or volcanic extrusive. Again, erosive forces sculpt their current forms.
- Metamorphic rocks are created by rocks that have been transformed into another kind of rock, usually by some combination of heat, pressure, and chemical alteration.
- Sedimentary rocks are created by a variety of processes but usually involving deposition, grain by grain, layer by layer, in water or, in the case of terrestrial sediments, on land through the action of wind or sometimes moving ice. Erosion later exposes them in their current form.
Geologists have created a number of terms to describe different rock structures in the landscape that can be formed by natural processes:
Here is a list of rock formations by continent.
Asia
Armenia
China
Hong Kong
Jordan
India
See main article: List of rock formations in India.
Israel
Lebanon
Mongolia
Pakistan
Thailand
Turkey
Other countries
- Gobustan National Park, Azerbaijan
- Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, Mon State, Burma
- Aphrodite's Rock, Paphos, Cyprus
- Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia
- Jeti-Ögüz, Jeti-Ögüz district, Kyrgyzstan
- Tanjong Bunga, Penang, Malaysia
- Al Naslaa rock formation, Saudi Arabia
- Long Ya Men, Singapore
- Seorak-san National Park, Sokcho, South Korea
- Yehliu, Taiwan
- Halong Bay, Vietnam
Africa
Kenya
Libya
Madagascar
Mauritania
Namibia
Nigeria
South Africa
North America
United States
See main article: Rock formations in the United States.
Canada
- Devil's Chair, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario
- Flowerpot Island, Georgian Bay, Ontario
- Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick
- Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick
- Gabriola Island, British Columbia
- Brady's Beach, Bamfield, British Columbia
- Chimney Rock, Marble Canyon, British Columbia
- Heron Rocks, Hornby Island, British Columbia
- Siwash Rock, Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia
- Percé Rock, Gaspé, Quebec
- Tete d'Indien, Perce, Gaspé, Quebec
- Balancing Rock, Long Island, Nova Scotia
- Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia
- Banff National Park, Alberta
- Big Rock, Okotoks, Alberta
- Drumheller, Alberta
- Walsh, Alberta, see Medicine Hat, Alberta
- Main Topsail Hill, near Gaff Topsails, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Arches, St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Elephant Rock, Prince Edward Island
- Giant's Chair, Howard's Cove, Prince Edward Island
- Victoria Rock, Yukon
- Sleeping Giant, Ontario
Caribbean
- Ayo Rock Formations, Aruba
- Devil's Trail, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
- The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
- Coki Beach, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands
- Pointe des Châteaux, Grande Terre, Guadeloupe
- Diamond Rock (Rocher du Diamant), Martinique
Mexico
- Sierra de Organos National Park, Sombrerete, Zacatecas
- Piedras Encimadas Valley, Zacatlán, Puebla
- Peña de Bernal, Bernal, Querétaro
- Copper Canyon, Chihuahua
- Los Arcos Rocks, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
- Hierve el Agua, San Lorenzo Albarradas
Central America
- Bosque del Cabo, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
- Los Ladrillos, Boquete, Panama[2]
South America
Argentina
Bolivia
- Dali's Desert, Potosi
- Valle de Las Rocas, Uyuni
- Canon de Duene
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Falkland Islands
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
- La Piedra Pintada, Parque Congreso de Abril
Venezuela
Europe
Albania
See main article: List of rock formations in Albania.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
See main article: Rock formations in Bulgaria.
Croatia
Czech Republic
- Teplice nad Metují
- Medvědí Stezka (Bear's path), Šumava mountains, Klatovy
- Vraní skála, Brdy
- Suché skály, Turnov
- Hruboskalsko
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Gibraltar
Bailiwick of Guernsey
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
thumb|Pietra di Bismantova, Italy
- Il Gargano, Vieste, Apulia
- Palmarola, Sicily
- Pietra di Bismantova, Reggiano Apennines
- Valle Seriana, Bergamo, Lombardy
- Golfo di Orosei, Cala Luna, Monte Tiscali, Sardinia
- Tarpeian Rock
- The thrown stones, Lazio
Latvia
- Vidzeme
- Pusena Kalns, Bartava
North Macedonia
Malta
Isle of Man
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
- Apuseni Mountains: Detunatele
- Bucegi Mountains: Babele, The Sphinx
- Ciucaș Mountains: Porumbelul Bratocei, Colții Bratocei, Turnul Goliat, Babele la sfat, etc.
- Făgăraş Mountains: Fereastra zmeilor
- Hășmaș Mountains: Piatra singuratică
- Piatra Craiului Mountains: La zaplaz, Cerdacul Stanciului, Turnul/Degetul lui Anghelide
- Gorges: Bicaz Gorge, Turda Gorge, Danube's Iron Gate (includes Babacai Rock[3]), Cheile Dobrogei, Cheile Sohodolului, Cheile Doftanei (aka Brebului)
- Piatra Secuiului in Alba County
- Piatra Verde (or Muntele Verde) and the Salt Mountain in Slănic
- Râpa Roșie
Russia
- The Three Brothers, Busani, Buryatia
- Kamen Shahtai, Lake Baikal
- Kisilyakh Range, Yakutia, topped by kigilyakh formations
- Kisilyakh-Tas, Yakutia, topped by kigilyakh formations
- Kontalaksky Golets, Zabaykalsky Krai
- Kyun-Tas, Yakutia, topped by kigilyakh formations
- Lena Cheeks, Irkutsk Oblast
- Lena Pillars, Yakutia
- Monrepo Park, Vyborg, St. Petersburg
- Stolby National Park, Krasnoyarsk Krai[4]
- Sail Rock, Krasnodar Krai
- Taganay National Park, Chelyabinsk
- Ulakhan-Sis, Yakutia, topped by kigilyakh formations
Serbia
See main article: List of rock formations in Serbia.
Spain
- Los Roques de Garcia, Tenerife Island, Canary Islands
- Las Canades, Tenerife Island, Canary Islands
- Ciudad Encantada, Castilla–La Mancha
- Picuezo and Picueza, Autol, La Rioja
- Fuente de los Azulejos, Gran Canaria Island, Canary Islands
- El Torcal de Antequera and Peña de los Enamorados, Antequera, Andalusia, a World Heritages Sites
- Roque Nublo, Gran Canaria Island, Canary Islands
- Montserrat, Catalonia
- Roques de Benet, Ports de Beseit, Catalonia
- Los Callejones de Las Majadas, Serranía de Cuenca, Castile-La Mancha
- El Guerrero Romano, Sierra Carrascosa, Aragon
- Mallos de Riglos, Las Peñas de Riglos, Aragon
- Peña Bajenza in La Rioja
- Las Médulas, Province of León, site of Roman gold mines
- La Peña, Arcos de la Frontera, Andalusia
- Peñón de Ifach, Calpe, Valencian Community
Sweden
Switzerland
Slovakia
Ukraine
United Kingdom
See main article: Rock formations in the United Kingdom.
Oceania
Australia
See also: Lists of rocks in Western Australia.
- The Three Sisters, Katoomba – Blue Mountains, New South Wales
- Devils Marbles, Northern Territory
- Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas, Northern Territory
- Rainbow Valley, Northern Territory
- Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, Northern Territory
- Murphys Haystacks, Nullarbor Desert, South Australia
- Remarkable Rocks, South Australia
- Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria
- Mount Augustus, Western Australia
- Pinnacles Desert, Nambung National Park, Western Australia
- Wave Rock, Hyden, Western Australia
New Zealand
- Castle Hill Basin, Canterbury
- Koutu Boulders, Hokianga
- Māori Bay giant pillow lava, Muriwai
- Lion Rock, Piha
- Moeraki Boulders, Otago
- The Nuggets, Catlins Coast, Otago
- Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki
- Putangirua Pinnacles, Wairarapa
- Stony Batter, Waiheke Island
- Truman Track Beach, Punakaiki
- Horeke basalts, Hokianga
- Gog and Magog, southern Stewart Island/Rakiura
Other countries
See also
External links
- https://ocre-geoscience.com/ocre-geomap/
Notes and References
- Web site: Olumo Rock - A Nigerian Tourist Destination. www.olumorock.com. November 26, 2019.
- Web site: Escalando el Gunko de Boquete . El Chiricano . 2007-06-04 . es .
- Web site: Stânca Babacai (de aici incepe Clisura de sus). wikimapia.org. November 26, 2019.
- Web site: Красноярские Столбы. www.stolby.ru. November 26, 2019.
- https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1700/ The Djavolja Varos (Devil's Town) Natural Landmark
- Web site: Vodopad Prskalo . sr . FreeBiking.org.