The weathering and erosion leads formations of many geological wonders on Earth. Like a patient artist nature itself carved large number of breathtaking rock formations around the world, took million of years for the formation by action of wind, rain and other natural forces. Followings are 10 amazing rock formations in US.
10 Natural Bridge, Virginia
It is a natural limestone arch located in Western Virginia. This amazing geological formation is 215 feet in height, 90 feet long and width varies between 50 to 150 feet, actually a tunnel through which river flows.It is one of the main tourist attractions and historical landmark of Virginia. The US 11 highway also passess over this natural bridge of Virginia.
9 Tufa Towers, California
This unusual rock formation can be found within mono lake, the shallow salt water lake in California. Mono lake have high concentration of salt and no outlet to ocean. The underwater spring of this lake is enriched by calcium. The mixing up of carbonates of water in the lake with calcium of spring causes chemical reaction and formation of lime stones.
It took several decades for the formation of these precipitates and development of tufa towers. These limestone towers have height of 30 feet in an unusual shape. Only species survive within salt water of mono lakes are brine shrimps. Millions of migratory birds also visit monolake annually.
Top 9 Most Amazing Canyons In The World
8 Spiderrock, Arizona
Spiderrock is one of notable sites in Canyon De Chelly National park, located in Northeast of Arizona. This red sandstone have height of 750 feet. According mythology of Navajo culture once spiderrock was home for spider grandmother, who protect people from evils and kept peace on this land. Spiderrock also holds many folklore of Native Americans.
7 Devil’s Postpile, California
This unusual formation of basalt columns of Devil’s postpile located in Mammoth mountain of California. There are about 400 columns are within Devil’s postpile, varies in size and shapes. There are seven sized, six sided, five sided, four sided and three sided columns, diameter ranges between 2.5 feet to 4 feet and have height about 60 feet.
Devil’s postpile was formed 100000 years ago by lava flow in the valley of Joaquin river. Because of variations in cooling of lava it is possible to see different polygonal cross sections within columns of devil’s postpile. The action of glaciers also polished this wall of rock columns about 10000 years ago.
6 Skull Rock, California
One of most notable rock formations in the world, in the shape of a skull, located in Joshua Tree National Park in California. Skull rock was formed by continuous action of rain drops, rock get eroded when water accumulated. The two eye sockets formed on rockin that way made it to exactly look like a skull. Nowadays Skull Rock became favorite tourist attraction of Joshua Tree National Park.
5 Devils Tower, Wyoming
The first declared National monument of United States, In 1906 by president Theodore Roosevelt. Devils tower is located in blackhills in the state of Wyoming. Devils tower was formed volcanic activity and erosion. The surrounding area of devils towers also composed of large number of sedimentary rocks. This rock tower consist of many hexagonal, four sided and seven sided columns, The oldest rock found in devil tower is from triassic time, around 225 million years ago.
Devil tower is a religious point for many local tribes. Due to this cultural significance climbing to this monument closed for June of every year. There are 150 different rock climbing routes for the visitors to reaching at the top.
4 Landscape Arch, Utah
It is the longest natural arch in the world, having span of 88.4 meters, located in Arches National Park in Utah. Thickness of landscape arch ranges between 11 feet to 16 feet. The continuous action of wind and other forces also reduce the strength of arch by time, can be collapse at anytime. The Arches National Park also include many other natural arches like wall arch, partition arch, black arch, navajo arch and tree arch.
3 Delicate Arch, Utah
Globally recognized landmark of Utah, located in Arches National Park. This 35 feet natural arch also featured within Utah’s postage stamp, also the most photographed natural arch in the world. Delicate arch was formed from entrada sandstone millions of years ago by weathering and erosion. The arch was named by leader of Arches National Park, Frank Beckwith. Most number of hikes are recorded in spring and mid winter seasons.
2 Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Horseshoe bend was carved down by colorado river, located 7 miles from Grand Canyon in Arizona. It was formed 200 million years ago by continuous action of water over larger sand dunes. Different mineral mixed with water and snow strengthen different layers of this meander. The layers of ancient large sand dunes still remains within horseshoe bend. Minerals like iron, hematite, platinum and granite are also concentrated within horseshoe bend.
Related Articles
Top 10 Awe-Inspiring Natural Wonders of United States
Top 9 Magnificent Rock-Cut Caves In India
Top 10 Must Visit National Parks in the United States
1 Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope canyon is the most popular and most photographed slot canyon in the world, located in Arizona state of United States. There are two different sections within this slot canyon, one is upper antelope canyon and other is lower antelope canyon. Most of the tourist used to visit upper antelope canyon than lower antelope canyon. It is because of upper antelope canyon requires no climbing and offers easy walkthrough, offers an excellent reflection of light and attractive coloring in summer.
Lower antelope canyon demands climbing, through preinstalled staircases. Unlike upper antelope canyon lower antelope canyon has narrow paths. But it still offers amazing rock formation for the visitors. Flash flooding is the main natural force behind the formation of these slot canyons. Still dangerous floods hits antelope canyon in monsoon season.
