List of rock formations
This is a list of rock formations that include isolated, scenic, or spectacular surface rock outcrops. These formations are usually the result of weathering and erosion sculpting the existing rock. The term 'rock formation' can also refer to specific sedimentary strata or other rock unit in stratigraphic and petrologic studies.
A rock structure can be created in any rock type or combination:
- Sedimentary rocks are created by a variety of processes but usually involving deposition, grain by grain, layer by layer, in water or, in the case of terrestrial sediments, on land through the action of wind or sometimes moving ice. 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 been transformed into another kind of rock, usually by some combination of heat, pressure and chemical alteration. An example are the Seneca Rocks in West Virginia.
- Igneous rocks are created when molten rock cools and solidifies, with or without crystallization. They may be either plutonic 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
- Stone run
- Crag
- Tor
- Promontory is a prominent mass of land which overlooks lower lying land or a body of water.
Asia
- Biri Islands, Northern Samar, Philippines
- Yoichi, Hokkaidō, Japan
- Yehliu, Taiwan
- Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, Mon State, Burma
- 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
- Paşabağı, Cappadocia, Turkey
- Goreme National Park, Turkey
- Halong Bay, Vietnam
- Long Ya Men, Singapore
- Seorak-san National Park, Sokcho, South Korea
- Taichar Chuluu, Arkhangai Aimag, Mongolia
- Turtle Rock, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Töv Aimag/Nalaikh, Mongolia
- Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia
- Jeti-Ögüz, Jeti-Ögüz district, Kyrgyzstan
- Yonaguni Monument, the coast of Yonaguni, Japan
- Lion Rock, New Kowloon/New Territories, Hong Kong
Middle East
- Rosh Hanikra, Israel
- Timna Arch, Eilat, Israel
- Karnei Hittim, Israel
- 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
Egypt
Eritrea
Kenya
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
- Makuzi Beach, Chintheche yui
Mali
- Massif des Aguilles de Garmi
Mauritania
Morocco
- Siroua Mountains
- Tafraoute
Namibia
- Bogenfels
- Vingerklip, Damaraland
- Waterberg Plateau
Niger
Nigeria
Seychelles
- Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue
South Africa
- Cedarberg Wilderness Area, Western Cape
- Kagga Kamma, Ceres, Western Cape
- Three Sisters (Northern Cape)
Sudan
Tunisia
Zimbabwe
- Domboshava Rocks
- Maleme Dam, Matobos
- Motombo Rock Formations
North America
United States of America
Canada
- Agawa Bay, Lake Superior
- Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick
- Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick
- Gabriola Island, British Columbia
- Brady's Beach, Bamfield, British Columbia
- Chimney Rock, Marble Canyon, British Columbia
- Heron Rocks, Hornby Island, British Columbia
- Percé Rock, Gaspé, Quebec
- Tete d'Indien, Perce, Gaspé, Quebec
- Balancing Rock, Long Island, Nova Scotia
- Peggys Cove, Nova Scotia
- Banff National Park, Alberta
- Drumheller, Alberta
- Main Topsail Hill, near Gaff Topsails, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Arches, St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Elephant Rock, Prince Edward Island
- Giant's Chair, Howard's Cove, Prince Edward Island
- Victoria Rock, Yukon
- Walsh, Alberta, see Medicine Hat, Alberta
- Siwash Rock, Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia
Caribbean
- Ayo Rock Formations, Aruba
- Casibari Boulders, Aruba
- Guajataca, Puerto Rico
- Devil's Trail, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
- The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
- Coki Beach, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands
- Governor's Harbor, Eleuthera, Bahamas
- Ile a Vache, Cayes, Haiti
- 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, Saint Lucia
- Las Cuevas Bay Trinidad
Mexico
Central America
South America
Argentina
- Quebrada de Humahuaca, Humahuaca
- Ischigualasto, San Juan Province, Argentina
- Cerro Fitz Roy, El Chalten, Argentina CA
Bolivia
- Dali's Desert, Potosi
- Valle de Las Rocas, Uyuni
- Canon de Duene
Brazil
- Ponta Grossa, Brazil
- Pedro do Jacare, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dedo de Deus (God's Finger Rock), Serra dos Órgãos, Brazil
- Pedra do Cão Sentado, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Pedra da Galinha Choca, Quixadá, Ceará, Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Falkland Islands
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
- La Piedra Pintada, Parque Congreso de Abril
Venezuela
Europe
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
- Bijele stijene (White Rocks) and Samarske stijene (Samar Rocks), Bjelolasica mountain [2]
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Gibraltar
Bailiwick of Guernsey
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
- Vidzeme
- Pusena Kalns, Bartava
Malta
Isle of Man
Norway
Poland
- Sloneczna
- Ciężkowice
- Zielone Wzgorze, Piechowice
- Dolina Koscieliska, Western Tatras
- Dunajec Gorge, Zakopane
Portugal
Romania
Russia
- Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
- Monrepo Park, Vyborg, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Taganay National Park, Chelyabinsk, Russia
- Stolby National Park, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia[4]
- Kamen Shahtai, Lake Baikal, Russia
- Sail Rock, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
Serbia
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
- El Torcal, Antequera, Málaga, Andalusia
- Roque Nublo, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia
Sweden
Switzerland
Slovakia
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Oceania
Australia
- Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas, Northern Territory, Australia
- Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
- Remarkable Rocks, South Australia
- Wave Rock, Hyden, Western Australia
- Murphys Haystacks, Nullarbor Desert, Western Australia
- Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia
- Pinnacles Desert, Nambung National Park, Western Australia
- Devils Marbles, Northern Territory, Australia
- Mount Augustus, Western Australia
- The Three Sisters, Katoomba - Blue Mountains, New South Wales
New Zealand
- Castle Hill Basin, Canterbury
- Koutu Boulders, Hokianga
- Maori Bay giant pillow lava, Muriwai
- Lion Rock, Piha
- Moeraki Boulders, Otago
- The Nuggets, Nugget Point, Otago
- Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki
- Putangirua Pinnacles, Wairarapa
- Stony Batter, Waiheke Island
- Truman Track Beach, Punakaiki
- Wairere Boulders, Hokianga
- Gog and Magog, southern Stewart Island/Rakiura
Other countries
See also
References