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On Route 138 in Oregon, northwest of Crater Lake, Toketee Falls carves out a bowl in the unusual basalt columns
Photos from a trip to the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland - scale model of the Causeway - July 2014
Country Antrim, Northern Ireland
The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. This is a good view of them before being completely unearthed by erosion.
On either side of Aldeyjarfoss waterfall (a 20 m high waterfall in Bárðardalur District of northern Iceland at the northern part of the Sprengisandur highland road), are rows of symmetrical hexagonal basalt columns. Basalt columns are formed by a process called columnar jointing when still magma cools down. When it cools down, it contracts and separates into columnar joints, often hexagonal. The separation begins where the cooling is greatest and continues as the rest cools little by little.
On either side of Aldeyjarfoss waterfall (a 20 m high waterfall in Bárðardalur District of northern Iceland at the northern part of the Sprengisandur highland road), are rows of symmetrical hexagonal basalt columns. Basalt columns are formed by a process called columnar jointing when still magma cools down. When it cools down, it contracts and separates into columnar joints, often hexagonal. The separation begins where the cooling is greatest and continues as the rest cools little by little.
IS 2193r
Monolithic rock formation from lava flow. During the cooling of a thick lava flow, contractional joints or fractures form. If a flow cools relatively rapidly, significant contraction forces build up. While a flow can shrink in the vertical dimension without fracturing, it cannot easily accommodate shrinking in the horizontal direction unless cracks form. The extensive fracture network that develops results in the formation of columns.
Svartifoss
Svartifoss (Black Fall) is a waterfall in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, and is one of the most popular sights in the park. It is surrounded by dark lava columns, which gave rise to its name. Other well-known columnar jointing formations are seen at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, Devil's Tower in Wyoming, USA and on the island of Staffa in Scotland. There are also similar formations throughout Iceland, including a small cave on the beach of Reynisdrangar.
The base of this waterfall is noteworthy for its sharp rocks. New hexagonal column sections break off faster than the falling water wears down the edges.
These basalt columns have provided inspiration for Icelandic architects, most visibly in the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, and also the National Theatre.
View overlooking the bay of Portnaboe towards the Great Stookan outcrop. Sometimes known as 'the bit before the Giants Causeway' as visitors have to walk around the edge of the bay on their way to the main site.
Photos from a trip to the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland - July 2014 - trying to get a mobile signal!
I really didn’t get to explore and photograph the basalt as much as I would have liked because the skua kept attacking me with a vengeance. I covered my head with my fleece jacket and cursed myself for leaving my umbrella in the car. They sliced across my head more times than I can count but as far as I can tell, they didn’t actually cut me open. It hurt, though, and it was unnerving, so I finally yelled, “Okay, okay! I’m leaving! Jesus Christ!” and stomped back to the car.