Amazing Rock Formations

Brimham Rocks is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and Geological Conservation Review located northwest of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in England. The site is known for its water- and weather-eroded rocks formed more than 325 million years ago. They have formed amazing shapes.

Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan has been dubbed the “Grand Canyon of Kazakhstan” and is located near the Chinese border. It is part of the Charyn National Park. The canyon consists of a formation along the banks of the Charyn River. It consists of five different canyons—the Valley of Castles, the Temirlik Canyon, the Yellow Canyon, the Red Canyon, and the Bestamak Canyon.

The Drangarnir Rocks are located in the Faroe Islands. These are impressive 230-foot-tall rocks rising up out of the North Atlantic Ocean. They formed due to relentless erosion sculpting the rugged coastline of the Faroe Islands. With time Dranganir detached from the mainland. The larger sea stack is known as Ston Drangur and the smaller as Litli Drangur. Ston Drangur has a sea arch. During the summertime seabirds rest and live on the basalt cliffs of Drangarnir.

The Flysch of Zumaia is located between Zumaia and Deba in Spain. It is one of the most important geological spaces in Spain. Fans of “Game of Thrones” will recognize this as a location spot. The unique rock formations consist of alternating layers of sedimentary rock known as flysch. It formed over millions of years as layers of sand, silt, and clay were deposited on the ocean floor, later being exposed to the surface.

The Golden Rock of Myanmar perches atop a cliff on the slopes of Mount Kyaiktiyo. The rock is a testament to both spiritual devotion and the perfect balance of nature. It is a huge granite boulder that is covered in a thick layer of gold leaf. The boulder was deposited on the edge of the cliff by natural geological processes. Buddhist legend says that the Golden Rock is balanced on a single strand of the hair of Buddha. It is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site located in Mon State, Myanmar.

The Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela are a group of impressive rock formations located on the northern coast of Madeira, Portugal. (pictured above) The name of the formations translated to “Islets of Janela Stream,” a waterway flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. Among these formations are two craggy basalt stacks that rise up out of the Atlantic. This type of volcanic rock is mostly composed of basalt and sculpted over time by erosion, ocean waves, and weather conditions.

Kjeragbolten is located on the Lysefjord close to the village of Lysebotn in southwestern Norway. It is a huge boulder wedged in the crevice of a mountain plateau. It appears suspended between two towering cliffs. The story begins with the last Ice Age that shaped the dramatic landscape of the Westernfjord region in Norway. Glacial movements, along with freeze-thaw cycles, gradually carved out the U-shaped valleys and deep fjords that are characteristic of the region.

Krishna’s Butter Ball, or Vaanirai Kai (Stone of the Sky God), is a gigantic balancing rock located near the historical coastal town of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu state in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is part of the Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram, built during the 7th and 8th centuries CE as Hindu religious monuments by the Pallava Dynasty. In Hindu mythology Krishna is the god of love, protection, and compassion. As a baby, Krishna would steal butter from his mother. Legend has it that this huge rock is a giant dollop of churned butter dropped by Krishna.

The Pillars of Hercules is located in Antigua. These are legendary ancient Greek pillars marking the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. These limestone pillars have formed over thousands of years of wind and crashing waves from the Atlantic Ocean. To reach them, one can travel by boat or hike the steep dirt trail that begins at the nearby Galleon Beach.

The Rock of Guatape is located in Columbia. It is the most iconic landmark of the town of Guatape. Visitors who want to attempt to climb the rock must walk up more than 700 steps to reach the top. The rock is approximately 10 million years old and consists of a single piece of granite. Near the base of the rock are food and market stalls for shopping.

Sigiriya Rock is located in Sri Lanka and is made of granite, nearly 200 meters tall. Formed more than two billion years ago. Sigiriya was transformed into a palace and fortress in the late 5th century by King Kasyapa. He was a ruler who seized the throne by overthrowing his father, King Dhatusena. Fearing retribution for his actions, he moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya, hoping to create a palace atop the rock. The complex had a palace with fresco-adorned walls, terraced gardens, and intricate water management systems. Its most iconic feature was a massive lion-shaped gateway at the entrance. After the death of King Kasyapa in 495 AD, the capital was moved back to Anuradhapura, and Sigiriya remained abandoned. It was hidden away in the jungle for centuries until rediscovered by British archaeologists in the 19th century.

Staðarbjörg Basalt Columns are impressive geological formations near Hofsos, Iceland. They were formed through volcanic activity, creating a very dramatic landscape. The surrounding area is great for hiking and scenic views of the coastline.

Sugar Loaf Mountain is part of the iconic skyline of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is a cone-shaped granite and quartz rock rising dramatically 1,296 feet from the sea. Visitors can reach the top by cable car.

Trollpikken is a phallus-shaped rock, which translates to “Troll’s Penis.” This rock formation is in Eigersund municipality, in Norway, between Kjervall and Veshovda.