Wikipedia:
rock formation
For processes by which rocks are formed, see Formation of
rocks.
Rock formations as used in this article refers to isolated, scenic, or spectacular surface rock outcrops. These are usually the result of weathering and erosion sculpting the existing rock. Rock formation in general refers to specific sedimentary strata or other rock unit in stratigraphic and petrologic studies.
Geologists classify rocks into three types according to their origin. A rock structure can be created in any rock type or combination:-
- Sedimentary rocks are created from bits of rocks that have broken off other rocks by wind or water erosion, and deposited by wind, ice, or water. Erosion later exposes them in their current form. An example is Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
- Metamorphic rocks are created by rocks that have evolved into another kind of rock, usually by heat and pressure. An example is Mount Rushmore National Monument in South Dakota.
- Igneous rocks are created when molten rock cools and solidifies, with or without crystallization. They may be either intrusive bodies or volcanic extrusives. Again, erosive forces sculpt their current forms. An example is Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
Geologists have created a number of terms to describe different rock structures in the landscape that can be formed by natural processes:-
- Inselberg is a residual relief feature. It can be an isolated hill, a knob, ridge or small mountain that rises abruptly, like an island, from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain. Inselberg is a German word that means "island mountain". Uluru/Ayers Rock in Australia is a noted example.
- Peak
- Stack
- Mesa
- Butte
- Escarpment
- Gorge
- Sea cliff
- River cliff
Lists of rock formations
Asia
- See also: Rock formations in Russia
- Yoichi, Hokkaidō, Japan
- Yeliu, Taiwan
- Tanjong Bunga, Penang, Malaysia
- Jabalpur Marble Rocks, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Face Rock, Deccan, Hyderabad, India
- Sitio Lugsangan, Barangay Tabon, Cebu, Philippines
- Amah Rock, Hong Kong
- Yun Meng Mountains, Beijing, China
- Guilin, China
- Grandfather and Grandmother stone, Ko Samui, Thailand
- James Bond Island, Phang Nga, Thailand
- Halong Bay, Vietnam
- Long Ya Men, Singapore
- Seorak-san National Park, Sokcho, South Korea
- Taichar Chuluu, Arkhangai Aimag, Mongolia
- Terelj National Park, Gorkhi, Mongolia
- Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia
Middle East
- Timna Arch, Eilat, Israel
- Karnei Hittim, Israel
- Paşabağı, Cappadocia, Turkey
- Goreme National Park, Turkey
- Tegherivank, Armenia
- Geghard, Armenia
- Petra, Amman, Jordan
- Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan
- Kuh-E-Namak, Iran
- Elemite Rock, Fars, Iran
- Mahneshan, Zanjan, Iran
- Cape Lithoprosopon, Lebanon
- Raouché, Beirut, Lebanon
- Gobustan, Azerbaijan
- Aphrodite's Rock, Paphos, Cyprus
- Wadi Dhar, Yemen
- Bani Al Harit, Saana, Yemen
Africa
Algeria
- Tamanrasset
- Tassili Mountains
Angola
- Benguela Province
- Iona, Tombwa
Burkina Faso
- Doumes de Fabedougou
- Pic du Sindou
Cameroon
- Kola Gorge
Egypt
- White Desert
Eritrea
- Decemhare
Kenya
- Tsavo Rocks
Libya
- Akakus Mountains
Madagascar
- Andringitra
- Isalo National Park
Malawi
- Makuzi Beach, Chintheche
Mali
- Massif des Aguilles de Garmi
Mauritania
Morocco
- Siroua Mountains
- Tafraoute
Namibia
- Bogenfels
- Vingerklip, Damaraland
- Waterberg Plateau
Niger
- Geuzzam
Nigeria
- Kamale Pinnacle, Mubi
- Olumo Rock, Abeokuta
- Riyom Rock, Jos
Seychelles
- Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue
South Africa
- Cedarberg Wilderness Area, Western Cape
- Kagga Kamma, Ceres, Western Cape
- Dead Man's Fingers, found in the warm lakes and sea waters in this area. Dead Man's fingers are a type of rock formation, not a specific one.
Sudan
- Burget Tuyur, Selima
Tunisia
- Chebika Rock
- Tamazrat
Zimbabwe
- Domboshava Rocks
- Maleme Dam, Matobos
- Motombo Rock Formations
Americas
United States of America
Canada
Caribbean
- Ayo Rock Formations, Aruba
- Casibari Boulders, Aruba
- Guajataca, Puerto Rico
- Virgin Gorda Rocks, British Virgin Islands
- Devil's Trail, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
- Bath's Beach, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
- Coki Beach, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands
- Governor's Harbor, Eleuthera, Bahamas
- Tent Bay, Barbados
- Pointe des Chateaux, Grande Terre, Guadeloupe
- Malendure Rock, Basse Terre, Guadeloupe
- Diamond Rock, Torrens Point, Saba, Netherlands Antilles
- Stonehaven Bay, Tobago
- Sandy Beach, St.Lucia
Latin America
- Piedras Encimidas Valley, Zacatlan, Mexico
- Copper Canyon, Chihuahua, Mexico
- Los Arcos Rocks, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Cerro de Arcos,
Loja , Ecuador - Dali's Desert, Potosi, Bolivia
- Valle de Las Rocas, Uyuni, Bolivia
- Canon de Duene, Bolivia
- Ponta Grossa, Brazil
- Pedro do Jacare, São Paulo (state)São Paulo, Brazil
- Valle de la Luna, Antofagasta, Chile
- Playa de la Calabocillos, Constitucion, Chile
- Bosque del Cabo, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
- Pinnacle Rock, Bartolome Island, Galapagos Islands
- Quebrada de Humahuaca, Humahuaca Argentina
- Ischigualasto, San Juan Province, Argentina
- Cerro Fitz Roy, El Chalten, Argentina
- Amambay, Paraguay
- La Piedra Pintada, Parque Congreso de Abril, Uruguay
- Colca Canyon, Arequipa, Peru
- Tepui, Roraima, Canaima National Park, Venezuela
- Piedras de San Martin, La Vela de Coro, Estado Falcón Venezuela
- Piedra de Penol, Antioquia, Colombia
- Laguna de La Plaza, Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, Colombia
Europe
Others in Europe
Bulgaria
- Basarbovo Monastery, Rousse
- Belogradchik Rocks
- Iskar Gorge, Sofia
- Melnik, Sandanski
- Sozopol
- Wonderful Bridges
Czech Republic
- Teplice nad Metují
- Medvedi Stezka, Sumava, Klatovy
- Vrani Skala, Brdy
- Suche Skaly, Turnov
- Hruboskalsko
Denmark
- Bornholm
- Mons Klint, Mon
- Gedser Odde, Gedser
- Stevns Klint,Ostjaellands
- Sangstrup, Djursland
Estonia
- Lake Peipsi
- Vormsi Island
Finland
- Narpes
- Naantali
France
Germany
- Rotenfels, Nahe, Bad Muenster am Stein-Ebernberg, Rhineland-Palatinate
- Teufelsturm, Elbsandstein
- Wasgau
Greece
Gibraltar
Bailiwick of Guernsey
- Les Autelets, Sark, Channel Islands
- Telegraph Bay, Alderney, Channel Islands
Iceland
- Vestmannaeyjar
- Jokulsa Canyon National Park, Mývatn
- Dimmuborgir, Mývatn
- Dyrholaey
- Eystrahorn, Hvalnes
Ireland
Italy
- Il Gargano, Vieste, Apulia
- Palmarola, Sicily
- Valle Seriana, Bergamo, Lombardy
- Golfo di Orosei,Cala Luna, Monte Tiscali, Sardinia
- Tarpeian Rock
Latvia
- Vidzeme
- Pusena Kalns, Bartava
Malta
Isle of Man
Norway
- Skude, Beiningen, Haugaland
- Geirangerfjord
- Nigardsbreen, part of the larger glacier Jostedalsbreen
- Sommarøy, Tromsø
Poland
- Sloneczna
- Ciezkowice
- Zielone Wzgorze, Piechowice
- Dolina Koscieliska, Western Tatras
- Dunajec Gorge, Zakopane
Portugal
Romania
- Lacu Roşu, Transylvania
- Bicaz Gorges, Neamţ County
- Detunatele, Ceahlău
- Cheile Dobrogei, Târguşor
Russia
Spain
- Los Roques de Garcia, Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Las Canades, Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Ciudad Encantada, Cuenca
- Autol, La Roja
- Fuente de los Azulejos, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Sweden
- The islands Gotland, Fårö and Öland has many coastal stretches with stack formations.
- Busten, Glaskogens Nature Reserve, Kalleboda
- Stegborgsgarden, Stegborg
- Stenhamra, Uppland
Switzerland
- Bastei
- Mount Pilatus
- Val dal Botsch
Slovakia
- Lehotske Skaly, Handlova
- Haligovske Skaly, Stara Lubovna
- Sulovske skaly (Sulov Rocks), Strazovske vrchy
- Dolina Zeleneho Plesa, Vysoke Tatry
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Oceania
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