Visit Drumheller, Alberta for the best examples of hoodoos in Canada. I like it very much such a wonderful creation of God. A visit to this magical sandstone rock formation is an incredible hiking experience, though it can prove to be a harsh desert-like one, depending upon the prevailing weather conditions. 2. It was formed artistically by the might of the sea, which eroded some parts of it to give it a spectacular shape. Famous rock formations in the ocean on Praia da Rocha, Portimao, Portugal. If one has to name a natural landmark in Australia, there is none more famous than Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru. Situated in the Desierto Siloli in Bolivia about 4,600 metres above sea level, the uniqueness of this isolated rock lies in its resemblance with a stunted tree. Its ancient Hawaiian name is Mokuhooniki, literally meaning “pinch island.” 4. It is a giant, rounded bolder which has been stuck solidly in the crack in this mountain for years. Whether for their shape, components, location or beautiful surroundings, tourists have long been drawn to these spectacular-looking rocks. Snorkel the warm, shallow waters in the boulders’ shadows, looking out for sea turtles and keeping your feet well clear of sea urchins. A UNESCO Heritage Site located in the County Antrim in Northern Ireland, Giant's Causeway is a splendid show of the aftermath of a particular kind of volcanic activity. Beach and rock formation known as Praia da Rocha in travel destination Portimao. There are plenty of other rock formations throughout the area, too, and they all have sweet names like Lover's Leap, Fat Man's Misery, and so much more. The distinctive El arco rock formation. On a spit of land jutting into the East China Sea, Yehliu is a fairyland of mushroom-, dragon- and tree-shaped rock formations that could easily double as a far-off planet in a sci-fi flick. The percolation of groundwater through the sandstone millions of years ago left traces of iron oxides, thus creating a 100-metre stretch of beautiful patterns that look almost like paintwork. It added that about 80 percent of tourists to the island visited the famed rock formation. When you’re done, feast on tacos and sip small-batch mezcal in stylish Cabo San Lucas. The cliffs are accessible via an easy 20-minute loop track. The area between Port Orford and Humbug Mountain also features some notable formations and groupings that can be easily seen from Highway 101 viewpoints. This erosion is happening even now, due to rains and snow. Luckily, Earth has more than enough amazing natural sights to go around -- including many rocky phenomenon. Wikimedia Commons - Photo credit: Mike Lehmann, Loch Ard Gorge (Now Tom and Eva, after collapse), Australia. The weathering of the crystals has now formed honeycomb patterns, but it is still magical. Afterwards, head to the row of seafood restaurants outside the park to feast on anything that swims. The pink sand paradise of Eleuthera in the Bahamas is so narrow you can feel the sea breeze blow from both east and west. vibesites from United States on June 05, 2013: If I could only vote many more than just one rock! They cracked when cooled and thus forming a hexagonal shape. Think of Hong Kong and you’re probably visualising streets of blinding neon, the sky hardly visible above the high-rises. vibesites, Nature is great and it manifests itself in many ways. But when the angry grey sea surges, water explodes through blowholes in the rocks, shooting high in the air and spraying anyone nearby. Thanks for visiting. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Norway, Kjeragbolten is located in a crevasse of Kjerag mountain. Rock Beach Praia da Rocha in Portimao. Getting outdoors helps and these photographers found an object that, with the right conditions, can be presented amazingly well in a photograph. I am glad you would be visiting some now and I hope you will share your experiences. It is a part of the Port Campbell National Park in Victoria, which is popular among tourists for relaxing and swimming. Here are 10 of our favourites. The countless stone formations in the Forest have different shapes—from high pillars and camel humps to elephant shapes—caused by the fury of nature millions of years ago. I can always count on you to present the educational and the unique. If you’re lucky you’ll spot dolphins breaching in the cold waters below. Interestingly, this tower remained underground (and invisible) for millennia, but erosion has since exposed it. Best Rock Arches at California Beaches Elephant Rock at Chadbourne Gulch Rock arches are some of the most spectacular of Mother Nature’s hand-crafted artwork. Its rocks are of volcanic origin linked to the first activity of the famous Mount Etna in 1669. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Anthony D/AllTrails There's simply nothing like hiking upon remnants of the Ice Age, and the surrounding nature is breathtaking. It is here that the Pacific Ocean becomes the Gulf of California. After exploring the cliffs, taxi over to Sai Kung town for a seafood feast. The columns shot in the vertical direction due to a volcanic activity which pushed the basalt through chalk. Have a nice time! This isthmus is known as the Glass Window, and it’s famous for its startling views: on one side lies the pale, calm Caribbean Sea. While I have a great appreciation for manmade wonders, nothing comes close to the beauty of the natural world. See the Southwest USA's most iconic landscapes on this epic road trip. Laura Fraser / alltrails.com Yorja Rahmani from India on June 19, 2013: Nice list! There are approximately 40,000 of these stone pillars, each typically with five to seven irregular sides, jutting out of the cliff faces as if they were steps creeping into the sea. Deonne Anderson from Florence, SC on June 04, 2013: These photos of nature at it's best are terrific! Giant's Causeway. Thanks for visiting and all the support. The ambitious can kayak here as well – but beware rough seas on the Pacific side. Afterwards, stretch out on the sand with a fresh coconut and an eye on the emerald hills of nearby Praslin Island on the horizon. © 2021 Lonely Planet. On the other tumbles the navy Atlantic. Maybe one can’t find the ocean in the middle of the desert but there’s always The Wave of Arizona. Amazing work of the Lord you have captured here :) I enjoyed the pictures and it's so amazing :) Loved this :) Voted up , useful, awesome, beautiful and interesting :) God bless you! Today the Giant’s Causeway is one of Northern Ireland’s top tourist draws. Though access to this unique formation is not as frightening as it looks, actually stepping out onto the rock is still a very daring endeavor that is surely not for the faint of heart. Diagram A: Soft, solid rock from underneath the plates rose and hardened adding solid rock to the edges of both plates. The image above shows Uluru at midday, but the changes in its colour are most impressive at sunset and sunrise. But I guess writing all of them in one article is impossible. Elias Zanetti, I am glad you liked the pictures. The Arbol de Piedra is another stunning example of geological erosion; over millennia, strong winds have rendered this volcanic rock formation thin at its base. Off the thickly forested coast of New Brunswick in Canada’s Bay of Fundy, these towering sandstone pinnacles – many of them topped with trees – can be experienced in two totally different ways. Luckily, Earth has more than enough amazing natural sights to go around — including many rocky phenomenon. Surprisingly, many tourists are not afraid of dropping from the cliff, which is about 1,000 metres high . Visit during stormy weather for the most dramatic surges. Believed to be from the Ice Age, the rock formation on Mount Tai in the Shandong province of China is composed of three huge boulders and several smaller ones. In reality, these 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, leading from the coast of County Antrim out to sea, was formed by ancient volcanoes. On the rough-hewn northwest coast of New Zealand’s South Island lies one of the world’s great geological roadside attractions. Those who have seen the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun will recall this famous rock in Thailand's Phang Nga Bay. This site continues to be a major tourist attraction in Northern Ireland. Get here via a glass-bottom boat tour or sunset catamaran cruise from the nearby marina. I am glad you took interest in the rocks presented in my Hub. They are mostly hexagonal, and so perfect that they give the impression of being man-made. But a quick drive from the teeming city centre is a coastal landscape about as un-urban as you can imagine. These rocks are really a proof of it. There is a belief that swimming around Aphrodite's rock brings one eternal beauty. A trip around the rock's base would be around 9 km. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Have a nice time! But for geology fiends and lovers of seaside scenery, the world still has plenty of weird and wonderful rock formations to enjoy. Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on October 17, 2015: srsddn (author) from Dehra Dun, India on October 16, 2015: Kristen, thanks for all the support. Giant's Causeway Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. At its middle, the island tapers to an impossibly skinny 30 feet. This world is full of such beautiful creations and it is really difficult to list all. This UNESCO World Heritage site at the end of the Jurassic Coast is simply spectacular. Have a nice time. These cliffs of stacked limestone, formed 30 million years ago from decayed marine plants and animals, are otherworldly on their own. The formations are technically known as ‘hoodoos’, which occur when soft rocks like sandstone are topped with harder volcanic rock. I am glad you love nature. (The site has been declared a protected area, as a large number of fossils have been found here.) At the tippy-tip of the Baja California peninsula where the Gulf of California kisses the Pacific lies this stunning natural arch, known locally as ‘El Arco’. creativeaqua, I agree with you. Located about 10 kilometres south of Poole and Bournemouth, these rocks are over 60 million years old (dating from the Cretaceous Period). Those interested in geological periods will undoubtedly enjoy seeing the Painted Cliffs of Maria Island in Tasmania. Wikimedia Commons - Photo credit: JJ Harrison. Voted up and sharing. Many of them are huge, and viewing them is breathtaking. In this article, we will explore one natural phenomenon in particular—rock formations. This natural limestone arch on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast rather resembles a sea serpent taking a drink. ComfortB, I am glad you love nature and nature manifest in many ways. Wikimedia Commons - Photo credit: Treeman (Public Domain). From Valley of Fire in Nevada to Natural Bridge in Virginia, check out these awe-inspiring places. The formations are technically known as ‘hoodoos’, which occur when soft rocks like sandstone are topped with harder volcanic rock. Thanks for visiting. Must-Instagram formations include Elephant Rock, Fairy Shoe and Queen’s Head, the latter so-called for its resemblance to a regal profile. This giant, mushroom-like rock clocks in at 3 metres tall and is thousands of years old. Hoodoos can be up to three metres tall and are continually eroded by rain, wind, and frost. I am glad you liked it. Underneath both the soild and the ocean, Earth's outer layer is made of hard, solid rock. The Giant's Causeway, near Portrush, Northern Ireland. Here, we’ve rounded up five famous rock formations in some of the most beautiful vacation destinations around the world, and, of course, we’ve suggested the best places to stay nearby. Wikimedia Commons - Photo credit: Graffity. Tourist from all over the world travel to these amazing destinations to see the strange but beautiful rock formations nature has made. Elephant Rock (Mokuhooniki) Photo: Edwin Alvarado. Warning: The following content may induce wanderlust! I am glad you believe in the creations of the Lord. Wikimedia Commons - Photo credit: Bartcockx (Public Domain). The 1-397-foot-high (426 meters) rock is … Part of the Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park since 1981, this 20-metre-high limestone rock (which increases in diameter towards the top) is frequented by tourists. Over millennia, the Colorado River has cut a deep gorge in the rock, which wraps around in a breathtaking horseshoe shape. srsddn (author) from Dehra Dun, India on September 02, 2013: colorfulone, thanks for visiting. The JFK Profile Rock can be viewed from the scenic valley road that winds its way through the Iao Valley. It is a very sad day for Malta. Part of the Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park since 1981, this 20-metre-high limestone rock (which increases in diameter towards the top) is frequented by tourists. The Hoodoos' unique shape is due to the sandstone's differential resistance to erosion. Book a stay now, and explore these natural wonders. Ashima peak is believed to be the incarnation of Ashima, a Hani girl, and is respected greatly. Sheesh, y’all. Located in the Northern Territory (Central Australia), this sacred sandstone rock formation is one of the world's largest monoliths, having a height of more than 318 metres (or nearly 1,000 feet). Believed to be standing for thousands of years, Long Island's Balancing Rock at Digby Neck seems to defy gravity. Algarve. Even if you’ve never been to Malta, you may be familiar with one of the Mediterranean island nation’s natural attractions: a limestone rock arch called the Azure Window. Ashima in Shilin Yunnan, People's Republic of China, Wikimedia Commons - Photo credit: Cs california. The rock formation juts out from the side of a hill, standing about 50 feet (15 m) high, amidst the valley's lush vegetation. Wave Rock. I am glad you like many of the rocks. Thanks for posting. Its popularity is linked with Greek mythology and the belief that Aphrodite—the goddess of love, beauty, procreation and pleasure—was born here. The rock is flat - and it’s seemingly hanging in midair above the ground. Wave Rock is a natural rock formation that is shaped like a tall breaking ocean wave. I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. It’s one of England’s most beloved natural wonders, drawing droves of photographers and picnickers to the adjacent pebble beach in warm weather. The two eye sockets formed on rockin that way made it … Wikimedia Commons - Photo credit: Chell Hill. Thanks for stopping by and Voting/Pinning. The rocks lend a wild air to the location, on the southwest coast of the island of La Digue. On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it. Dubbed as a natural monument to the great American president, the rock formation has been immortalized in postcards. srsddn (author) from Dehra Dun, India on April 17, 2018: All so beautiful. There are many other rock formations throughout the world. The resulting pillars are now known as Tom and Eva (after Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael, the two passengers who survived). Khao Ta-Pu (James Bond Island), Phang Nga Bay, Thailand, Wikimedia Commons - Photo credit: Deror Avi. This area is widely used in hotel advertising in the Los Cabos Corridor. Just outside of Page in Arizona, there is an amazing site called Horseshoe Bend. These photos seem to portray that the lord is an artist of many wonderful things. A trail runs through the group of rock formations, so you can get up close and see these delicate formations for yourself. 2. It is sometimes scary for the tourist, as there are no guard railings at the edge of the cliff. Rochelle Ann De Zoysa from Moratuwa, Sri Lanka on September 03, 2013: Wow! The beach adjacent to the town of Bandon has one of the best views of nearshore rocks and most accessible groupings of intertidal rock formations on all of the Oregon Coast. Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter. srsddn (author) from Dehra Dun, India on June 05, 2013: Mel Carriere, thanks for stopping by. The soft rock erodes, leaving thin columns with bulbous tops. This geologically unique feature is quite sacred and is a place of worship for the Lakota and other tribes. Formed by wind and water erosion over millennia, the arch is a hot spot for colonies of boisterous sea lions. brownella from New England on June 03, 2013: Beautiful pictures. your article needs more good rock formations, you don't even have the grand canyon. The Rock of Gibraltar is a hulking limestone promontory that looks out over the Strait of Gibraltar, the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea. Surprisingly, the topmost part (called cap rock) is normally the hardest, protecting the softer parts of the rock below. Object that, with the right conditions, can be up to metres... 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