Archive for the ‘Rock Formations’ Category

The Cliffs of Moher

December 15th, 2009 by admin | 1 Comment | Filed in Rock Formations, Seascapes

Located in the parish of Liscannor in County Clare, Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher boast one of Ireland’s most spectacular views. At it’s highest peak, it reaches 214 meters. Standing on top of it one can see 300 million year old river channels cutting through the base of the cliffs.

The stretch of the Cliff of Moher

The stretch of the Cliff of Moher. (Source)

The cliff stretch for 8 kilometers and rise 120 meters above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag’s Head , and reach their maximum height of 214 meters just north of O’Brien’s Tower. On a clear day the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay, as are the valleys and hills of Connemara.

The Cliff of Moher

The Cliff of Moher (Source)

The Cliff of Moher, looking north

The Cliff od Moher, looking north. (Source)

Panoramic view of the Cliffs of Moher

Panoramic view of the Cliffs of Moher. (Source)

Midpoint of the cliffs is the O’Brien’s Tower, a round stone tower. It was built by Sir Cornelius O’Brien, a descendant of Ireland’s High King Brian Boru, in order to impress female visitors. From atop that watchtower, one can view the Aran Islands and Galway Bay, the Maum Turk Mountains and the Twelve Pins to the north in Connemara, and Loop Head to the south.

O'Brien's Tower at the Cliffs of Moher

O’Brien’s Tower at the Cliffs of Moher. O’Brien’s Tower at the Cliff of Moher. (Source)

Bay of Fundy, World’s Highest and Lowest Tides

August 4th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Rock Formations, Seascapes

Located between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Bay of Fundy features the world’s highest, at 16.2 meters, and lowest tides.

Everyday 100 billion tons of seawater flows in and out of the Bay of Fundy during one tide cycle. It is estimated that during this cycle, more water flows in and out of the bay than the combined flow of the world

Flaming Cliffs, the Dinosaurs’ Graveyard

December 28th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Landscapes, Mountains, Rock Formations

The Flaming Cliffs is the area of the Gobi desert in Mongolia famous for the first nest of dinosaur eggs and other fossils found by the American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews in 1922. Andrews nicknamed the site “Flaming Cliffs” because of the surreal glowing orange color of the rocks.

The Flaming Cliffs panorama

The Flaming Cliffs panorama (Source)

In Mongolian dialect, this region is called Bayanzag, which means “rich in saxaul shrubs”. It is comprised of red sand, rocks, scorching sun, and emptiness.

the flaming cliffs

The Flaming Cliffs (Source)

Flaming Cliffs is also close to the region where researchers discovered the tangled remains of a Protoceratops and a Velociraptor. The remains appear to have been locked in a death struggle at the time of their sudden demise. Researchers suggested that the dinosaurs who died at Flaming Cliffs died quickly, possibly by fierce sandstorms which buried them alive.

Rock formation at Flaming Cliffs

Rock formation at Flaming Cliffs (Source)

The Flaming Cliffs at mid-day

The Flaming Cliffs at mid-day (Source)

Ha Long, Bay of the Descending Dragon

October 7th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Rock Formations, Seascapes

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the northeastern part of Vietnam in Qu?ng Ninh province. It is the country’s pride, and Vietnamese consider it the Eight Wonders of the world. Ha Long literally means descending dragons. The bay features thousands of karsts and isles.

Ha Long Bay features some 1,600 limestone islands and islets in various shapes and sizes, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site’s outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.

Ha Long Bay - Bay of the Descending DragonTowering rocks at Ha Long Bay [Source]

Misty morning at Ha Long BayMisty morning at Ha Long Bay [Source]

Another main attractions of Ha long is the bay’s calm water and the thousands of limestone mountains dotting the seascape. The Bay’s water is clear during the spring and early summer. Some of the islands are quite large and there are small alcoves with sandy beaches where swimming is possible.

A quiet and relaxing beach at Ha LongA quiet and relaxing beach at Ha Long [Source]

Tourist boats at Ha LongTourist boats at Ha Long [Source]

Rock Formation of Cappadocia

September 28th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Mountains, Rock Formations

Cappadocia is the common name of the plains and mountainous region of eastern central Anatolia around the upper and middle reaches of the river Kizilirmak. It’s name is said to be derived from Hittite language, Katpatuka, which means land of the beautiful horses.

beautiful rock formation of Cappadocia

A beautiful rock formation of Cappadocia. Source: http://flickr.com/photos/terdata

This region’s amazing landscape is largely underlain by sedimentary rocks formed in lakes and streams, and ignimbrite deposits erupted from ancient volcanoes approximately 9 to 3 million years ago (late Miocene to Pliocene epochs). The volcanic deposits are soft rocks that, for hundreds of years, the people of the villages at the heart of the Cappadocia Region carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries and underground cities. Forces of erosion have shaped the incredible and unique Cappadocian tuff-coned landscape. This nature and man made structures now make a popular tourist destination.

view of Cappadocia Rock Formation

A view of Cappadocia Rock Formation. Source: wikipedia.org

A church carved from the rock in Cappadocia

A church carved from the rock in Cappadocia. Source: flickr.com/photos/morgui

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Ayers Rock, Australia’s Most Recognisable Natural Icon

August 31st, 2008 by admin | 1 Comment | Filed in Mountains, Rock Formations

Ayers Rock, also called Uluru by the Aborigines of Australia, is located in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It is a large sandstone rock formation that protrude in the earth’s surface. Uluru is listed as a World Heritage Site

Ayers Rock is one of Australia’s most recognisable natural icons. It stands 348 meter but most of its bulk is below the ground, and measures 9.4 km in circumference. It is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings.

Natural Wonders of the World - Ayers Rock

Australia’s Ayers Rock – one of world’s natural wonders. (Source)

ayers rock

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Rain water flows off Uluru along channels marked by dark algae, forming small ponds at the base. This small ponds feeds plants and animals around the area and creates an oasis at the base of the it in this otherwise dry place.

Natural Wonders of the World - Ayers Rock Waters

(Source)

Depending on the time of the day, Ayers Rock changes it’s color because of the rays of the sun. When relatively new, the rock has a grey colour, but weathering of iron-bearing minerals by the process of oxidation gives the outer surface layer a red-brown rusty color.

Natural Wonders of the World - Ayers Rock

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Natural Wonders of the World - Ayers Rock2

(Source)

Natural Wonders of the World - Ayers Rock

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Natural Wonders of the World - Ayers Rock

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The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Most Beautiful Natural Harbor

August 30th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Rock Formations, Seascapes

The natural harbor of Rio de Janeiro is located in the south-western shore of the Guanabara Bay in Brazil. It has been named as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The dark blue waters of the harbor are studded with rocky mountains, the best known of which is the Sugar Loaf Mountain.

harbor of rio de janeiro

Source: wikipedia.org

Source: flickr.com/photos/brunogirin

Guanabara_Bay

Source: wikipedia.org