View allAll Photos Tagged BasaltColumns
Bombo Headland Quarry is one of the most recognised landmarks in and around Kiama;
It is very popular for photography, particular at sunrise, so I could not miss it when we traveled along the coast.
However, I have mixed feelings about this place. The unusual shape of the cape is the result of many years of basalt quarrying. So for me, this is a place where I can see the destructive results of human intervention - all those broken columns and all that remains of an interesting geological object. Of course, I don't blame people for the industrial activities that have taken place in recent century... It's just a "mixed feeling", and it was hot, midday without clouds, the sun was too bright for photography.
History:
The distinct hexagonal columns formed 270 million years ago when hot lava erupted onto the Earth's surface at a temperature of about 1200 degrees Celsius with rapid cooling. (igneous rock).
European settlers identified the potential in Kiama's basalt deposits rich in magnesium and iron, and constructed quarries, basalt mining began in 1880. This cubed basalt was used to fill the roadways between the tracks on tram and train lines, and also were crushed down to produce "blue metal".
The Bombo Quarry was closed during the Depression years, but was re-opened in 1937. It stayed open until 1941, then closed again until 1944, when it re-opened for a short period one last time.
Staffa 1
As many of you may already know, getting out to Staffa is very much weather dependent and although this was my third attempt to actually get onto the island in more than 35 years, by the time the little ferry boat got there, the swell was too big to get off the boat and onto the island. Hey ho, that's how it goes, next time maybe, but at least I got a few shots from my point and shoot and was able to enjoy the views and those heaving and gorgeous, turquoise waters
A narrow waterfall drops along a volcanic cliff, framed by snow, bare branches, and dark evergreens.
The scene blends frozen textures, vertical geology, and the quiet rhythm of Auvergne’s winter heights.
Une cascade étroite descend le long d’une falaise volcanique, entourée de neige, de branches nues et de conifères sombres.
La scène mêle textures gelées, géologie verticale et rythme silencieux des hauteurs hivernales d’Auvergne.
Kirkjugolfid, The Church Floor; east of Kirkjubaejarklaustur village, Iceland
The basalt columns were formed when lava cooled and contracted, cracking the rock. When this happened, the lava broke apart evenly, creating the distinctive hexagonal shape.
The Giant's Causeway... built as a path for the Irish and Scottish Giants to meet and fight.. as so the story goes...â €
Ce passage surnommé "Giant's Gate est un espace bordé d'orgues basaltiques du Giant's Causeway, sur la Causeway Coast, comté d'Antrim, Irlande du Nord, Royaume-Uni. Ces formations d’orgues basaltiques montrent les fracturations longitudinales et transversales.
Située à 3 km au nord de la ville de Bushmills, le Giant's Causeway ou la Chaussée des Géants forme une spectaculaire masse en nid d'abeilles formée de 40 000 colonnes de basalte de 30 à 60 cm de large, allant jusqu'à 13 m de haut, parfaitement ajustées presque hexagonales (entre 4 à 10 faces) nées d'éruptions volcaniques il y a 60 millions d'années.
L'ensemble, érodé par l'action de la mer, évoque un pavage qui débute de la base de la falaise et disparait dans la mer. Les colonnes sont visibles sur l'estran mais aussi dans la falaise haute de 28 mètres, qui constitue la bordure du plateau d'Antrim.
Bien que connue par la population locale, la Chaussée des Géants resta inconnue du grand public jusqu'en 1693, année où Sir Richard Bulkeley, membre du Trinity College de Dublin présenta à la Royal Society de Londres un article s'intéressant au site. Celui-ci est aujourd'hui sur la liste du patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO depuis 1986 (WHL- 369bis).
Le site a inspiré une légende.
Selon celle-ci, deux géants ennemis vivaient de chaque côté de la mer, l'un en Écosse, appelé Benandonner, et l'autre en Irlande, nommé Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Le géant écossais parlait de son rival irlandais comme d'une personne négligée et froussarde jusqu'au jour où celui-ci, piqué au vif, dit à l'Écossais de venir se battre pour lui prouver qu'il était le plus fort ! Mais comment franchir la mer ? L'Irlandais jeta des pierres dans l'eau pour construire un chemin praticable, une « chaussée » entre l'Écosse et l'Irlande. Mais quand il vit approcher son adversaire, l'Irlandais fut pris de panique car il était beaucoup plus petit que son adversaire ! Il courut demander conseil à sa femme, qui eut juste le temps de le déguiser en bébé avant l'arrivée du géant écossais. À ce dernier, elle présenta son « fils », qui n'était autre que son mari déguisé. Le géant écossais, voyant la taille de ce « bébé », prit peur. Affolé à l'idée de la taille du père et par conséquent de sa puissance, il prit ses jambes à son cou et s'en retourna dans ses terres d'Écosse en prenant soin de démonter la chaussée pour que l'Irlandais ne risque pas de rejoindre son île. Tiré de fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauss%C3%A9e_des_G%C3%A9ants
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Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Iceland
The rocky sea stacks sitting off the shoreline, known as Reynisdrangar.
According to local folklore, these large basalt columns were once trolls trying to pull ships from the ocean to shore. However, these trolls were dim and went out too late in the night; dawn broke on the horizon, turning the trolls into solid stone.
Another legend tells of a husband whose wife was kidnapped and killed by two trolls. The man followed the trolls down to Reynisfjara where he froze them, ensuring that they would never kill again.
I often use my iPone for a few back-up pics and I'm pretty happy with the shots I got in Iceland even though mine's not the latest nor greatest iPhone.
When lava flows slowly cool, the cooling lava contracts and ruptures, resulting in meter-long, hexagonal basalt columns. Only when the columns are thicker than one meter does a heptagonal column cross-section form. The slower the lava cools, the more uniform the columns are, with the columns always forming perpendicular to the cooling surface.
Reynisfjara, Iceland: Snow falling at Reynisfjara, located near VÃk à Mýrdal in Southern Iceland, is a world-famous black sand beach renowned for its dramatic volcanic sands, roaring Atlantic waves, and towering basalt columns. A colorful sky is reflected on the rocky coastline.
Reynisfjara, Iceland
Nature’s raw power on full display — crashing waves against the iconic basalt columns, with Reynisdrangar standing tall in the distance. A moment of wild beauty on Iceland’s south coast.
Had to climb over extremely slippy rocks to get down to the waters edge. Taken using LEE filters landscape polariser, LEE Little Stopper and 0.9 hard grad filter.
Our annual cold snap came and went this year with a bit less drama than it has held in years past. Nonetheless there was still good ice to be found and plenty of places to slip and fall on your butt.
This first day out there came as a complete surprise. We were actually on our way toward Larch Mountain to see if we could drive up into some snow, but as I started to see large icicles hanging along the side of I-84 we adjusted our plans and kept heading east out to Latourell Falls where we found a crinkling, crackling icy world awaiting.
This photo captures the striking basalt columns along the coast near the lighthouse of KálfshamarsvÃk, in northern Iceland. The geometric, hexagonal rock formations are remnants of ancient volcanic activity, beautifully juxtaposed against the serene waters of the Arctic Ocean. A small red-topped lighthouse stands sentinel above the cliffs, guiding vessels through the calm but potentially treacherous northern waters.
Descrizione (Italiano):
Questa foto ritrae le suggestive colonne di basalto lungo la costa vicino al faro di KálfshamarsvÃk, nel nord dell'Islanda. Le formazioni rocciose geometriche ed esagonali sono i resti di antiche attività vulcaniche, splendidamente in contrasto con le acque tranquille dell’Oceano Artico. Un piccolo faro con la sommità rossa si erge sopra le scogliere, vegliando sulle imbarcazioni che attraversano queste acque calme ma insidiose.
I was in Northern Ireland for the first time last weekend - I can't believe it's taken me this long to get around to it! Finally got to visit the Giants Causeway and tick that off my photography bucket list. I took hundreds of photos of it and here is just one of them.
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Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is a geological wonder with over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns perfectly shaped into hexagons because of intense volcanic activity some 50 to 60 million years ago. In 1986, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Giant’s Causeway is steeped in myth and legend. Carved from the coastline, the giant Finn McCool left behind an ancient Celtic folklore.
Legend of Finn McCool
One of the legends is that the giant Finn McCool, who was a mythical hunter warrior, used the basalt columns forming the causeway as stepping-stones to travel from Ireland to Scotland to visit his love, a Scottish giantess, in an attempt to bring her back to Ireland. Many of the most popular versions of the tale include a link to Scotland because the same pattern of hexagonal columns can be seen from the Antrim Causeway across the sea in Staffa, a Scottish isle.
The most popular tale, however, revolves around a rivalry between the giant Finn McCool and a Scottish giant named Benandonner, known as the Red Man. Finn challenged his long-standing rival to a fight while they shouted and threatened each other from across the water.
When you walk the Causeway coastal trail, bread the fresh air from the Irish sea and use our imagination, it doesn’t take long until you feel the magic of the Celtic mythology and folklore.
Chaussée des Géants
La Chaussée des Géants est une merveille géologique avec plus de 40 000 colonnes de basalte imbriquées parfaitement façonnées en hexagones en raison de l’intense activité volcanique il y a 50 à 60 millions d’années. En 1986, il a été déclaré site du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO. La Chaussée des Géants est imprégnée de mythes et de légendes. Taillée dans le littoral, le géant Finn McCool a laissé derrière lui un ancien folklore celtique.
Légende de Finn McCool
L'une des légendes est que le géant Finn McCool, qui était un guerrier et chasseur mythique, a utilisé les colonnes de basalte formant la chaussée comme tremplins pour voyager d'Irlande en Écosse pour rendre visite à son amour, une géante écossaise, dans le but de l'amener en Irlande. La plupart des versions les plus populaires du conte incluent un lien vers l'Écosse, car le même motif de colonnes hexagonales peut être vu depuis la côte de l’Antrim Causeway de l'autre côté de la mer à Staffa, une île écossaise.
L'histoire la plus populaire, cependant, tourne autour d'une rivalité entre le géant Finn McCool et un géant écossais nommé Benandonner, connu sous le nom de Red Man. Finn a défié son rival de longue date à un combat pendant qu'ils criaient et se menaçaient de chaque côté de l’eau.
Lorsque vous parcourez le sentier côtier Causeway, respirez l'air frais de la mer d'Irlande et utilisez votre imagination, ce n’est pas long avant de ressentir la magie de la mythologie et du folklore celtique.
Next week I head back to Iceland for my 15th trip, and 4th in September. I hope to explore a couple of new waterfalls, but have very fond memories of this incredible one in the north (Aldeyjarfoss). With basalt columns and waterfalls I am in heaven :)
Reynisfjara black sand beach, Iceland
From the beach you have a view to the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. These bizarre looking rock pillars are said to be petrified trolls that were caught outside at sunrise and frozen in time, but some strongly believe that they’re actually basalt columns that were once part of the extensive shoreline cliffs that remained standing while other parts were battered down by the ocean. Whichever story you choose to believe, they’re a sight to behold.;)
The Giant's Causeway, one of the world's most famous and iconic coastal locations and I can see why. This image was captured last night on my second day of seven that I am currently spending here in Ireland. The sun provided some lovely colour as well as lighting up the basalt rocks in the foreground.
The Giant's Causeway for those who do not know is an area consisting of around 40,000 interlocking columns of basalt rock that were created as a result of volcanic activity some 60 million years ago. Quite incredible isn't it? The National Trust own and manage the site.
I am here in Ireland recceing locations for two brand new workshops that will have me assisted by Irish born and bred Bernard Geraghty of Bernard Geraghty Landscape Tours.
Bernard will be my official tour guide for both workshops as his extensive knowledge of the locations is unrivalled and he will be our driver for the duration in his nine-seater VW Shuttle minibus. The plans at this stage will include a four-day North,North-West workshop this September followed by a five-day Wild Atlantic Way workshop on the west coast next March 2018.
If you would like to register your interest, please email me at info@melvinnicholson.co.uk and I will add your name to the list. You will be notified first once the workshops have been created within the next couple of weeks and as such, be offered the first chance of booking ahead of release of social media.
Huge thanks to Bernard Geraghty for his company these last two days and for showing me around his beautiful island. Bernard is a true Irish gent, loves his landscape photography and shares the same passion that I possess in delivering the best possible experience to our clients hence why I am delighted to have Bernard.working with me. www.facebook.com/BernardGeraghtyLandscapeTours
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UK & Iceland Landscape Photography Workshops, 1-2-1 Private Tuition, print sales and camera club lectures available
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The rocky basalt formed isle of Staffa, off the West coast of Mull one the Treshnish group of Islands, a strange landscape of hexagonal basalt columns as found in the Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland, I've been trying to get onto here for ages, previous visits it has been too rough to land so today saw an early trip out with favorable conditions for landing, finally managed to get it done, an amazing place, and even more amazingly totally dry with a nice overcast sky for long exposures......
View my most interesting shots on Flickriver here: www.flickriver.com/photos/pete37038/popular-interesting/
Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall is in my opinion one of the most awe inspiring waterfalls in Iceland. The waterfall, which is in Skjalfandafljot River, is located in Bardardalur (Road 842) and thunders through a narrow passage into a pretty wide basin, surrounded by spectacular basalt columns. Of the beaten track but absolutely worth the visit.
Usually I like long exposures of waterfalls, as I love the silky appearance of the flow. This, however, I didn't have a choice about - as I was literally stretching my arm out over the edge of the cliff above this little waterfall, which then drops down further. I actually really like the movement of the water here anyway, with the power of the water crashing down over the basalt columns (my favourite!). I did take a few long exposures after this from different spots, but it was hard to get the tripod close enough to the edge! Not for the faint-hearted...
Staffa Island in the Inner Hebrides, is a photographic wonderland given the geology of the area. Shown are the geometrically shaped basalt columns that are incredible to view.
Svartifoss (Black Fall), at Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland. It is surrounded by dark basalt columns, which gave rise to its name.
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The wonderful and spectacular Causeway Coast is a sight to end all sights for those who are prepared to take the long, and at times challenging, walk along the upper cliff path. Here we see Port na Tober viewed from Hamilton's Seat looking towards the west and the iconic chimney tops in the distance.
Dans le Hoggar algérien.
Les Tezouyag (Tezoulag, Tizouyag, Tezoulaig, Tezouai), orgues basaltiques culminant à 2700m.
D'après diapositive.
Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is a geological wonder with over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns perfectly shaped into hexagons because of intense volcanic activity some 50 to 60 million years ago. In 1986, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Giant’s Causeway is steeped in myth and legend. Carved from the coastline, the giant Finn McCool left behind an ancient Celtic folklore.
Legend of Finn McCool
One of the legends is that the giant Finn McCool, who was a mythical hunter warrior, used the basalt columns forming the causeway as stepping-stones to travel from Ireland to Scotland to visit his love, a Scottish giantess, in an attempt to bring her back to Ireland. Many of the most popular versions of the tale include a link to Scotland because the same pattern of hexagonal columns can be seen from the Antrim Causeway across the sea in Staffa, a Scottish isle.
The most popular tale, however, revolves around a rivalry between the giant Finn McCool and a Scottish giant named Benandonner, known as the Red Man. Finn challenged his long-standing rival to a fight while they shouted and threatened each other from across the water.
When you walk the Causeway coastal trail, bread the fresh air from the Irish sea and use our imagination, it doesn’t take long until you feel the magic of the Celtic mythology and folklore.
Chaussée des Géants
La Chaussée des Géants est une merveille géologique avec plus de 40 000 colonnes de basalte imbriquées parfaitement façonnées en hexagones en raison de l’intense activité volcanique il y a 50 à 60 millions d’années. En 1986, il a été déclaré site du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO. La Chaussée des Géants est imprégnée de mythes et de légendes. Taillée dans le littoral, le géant Finn McCool a laissé derrière lui un ancien folklore celtique.
Légende de Finn McCool
L'une des légendes est que le géant Finn McCool, qui était un guerrier et chasseur mythique, a utilisé les colonnes de basalte formant la chaussée comme tremplins pour voyager d'Irlande en Écosse pour rendre visite à son amour, une géante écossaise, dans le but de l'amener en Irlande. La plupart des versions les plus populaires du conte incluent un lien vers l'Écosse, car le même motif de colonnes hexagonales peut être vu depuis la côte de l’Antrim Causeway de l'autre côté de la mer à Staffa, une île écossaise.
L'histoire la plus populaire, cependant, tourne autour d'une rivalité entre le géant Finn McCool et un géant écossais nommé Benandonner, connu sous le nom de Red Man. Finn a défié son rival de longue date à un combat pendant qu'ils criaient et se menaçaient de chaque côté de l’eau.
Lorsque vous parcourez le sentier côtier Causeway, respirez l'air frais de la mer d'Irlande et utilisez votre imagination, ce n’est pas long avant de ressentir la magie de la mythologie et du folklore celtique.