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Desert sport activities, biking in Timna Park, Eilot region --- Photo taken by Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Credit attribution requested to the photographer and to the Ministry of Tourism
The conical hills that make up the Chocolate Hills are actually geo-morphological features called cockpit karst, which were created by a combination of the dissolution of limestone by rainfall, surface water, and groundwater, and the sub-aerial erosion by rivers and streams after they had been uplifted above sea level and fractured by tectonic processes. These hills are separated by well developed flat plains and contain numerous caves and springs. The Chocolate Hills are considered to be a remarkable example of conical karst topography. (Bohol- Tagbilaran, Philippines, May 2013)
Geological formation, "the mushroom" in Timna Park, South Western Arava Region. Eilot Region. --- Photo taken by Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Credit attribution requested to the photographer and to the Ministry of Tourism
Geological formation, "The Mushroom" -- Timna Park, Eilot Region--- Photo taken by Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Credit attribution requested to the photographer and to the Ministry of Tourism
El Valle de los Caídos es un conjunto monumental español construido entre 1940 y 1958 y situado en el valle de Cuelgamuros, en el municipio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial, en la Comunidad de Madrid. Se encuentra en la sierra de Guadarrama, a 9,5 km al norte del monasterio de El Escorial.
Conmemorador de la guerra civil y exaltador de la dictadura franquista, fue concebido por Francisco Franco con la finalidad proclamada de rendir honor y enterrar a aquellos que cayeron luchando en su «gloriosa cruzada».
En su diseño participaron los arquitectos Pedro Muguruza y Diego Méndez, correspondiendo las esculturas a Juan de Ávalos y Taborda, entre otros. La cruz tiene 150 metros de altura y brazos de 24 metros cada uno.
Actualmente la basílica se encuentra abierta al culto y a las visitas del público tras una restauración parcial.
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The Valle de los Caídos is a Catholic basilica and a monumental memorial in the municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, erected at Cuelgamuros Valley in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near Madrid, conceived by Spanish dictator Francisco Franco to honour and bury those who died in the Spanish Civil War. Franco claimed that the monument was meant to be a "national act of atonement" and reconciliation.
The monument, a landmark of 20th-century Spanish architecture, was designed by Pedro Muguruza and Diego Méndez on a scale to equal, according to Franco, "the grandeur of the monuments of old, which defy time and memory." Together with the Universidad Laboral de Gijón, it is the most prominent example of the original Spanish Neo-Herrerian style, which was intended to form part of a revival of Juan de Herrera's architecture, exemplified by the royal residence El Escorial. This uniquely Spanish architecture was widely used in public buildings of post-war Spain and is rooted in international classicism as exemplified by Albert Speer or Mussolini's Esposizione Universale Roma.
The monument precinct covers over 3,360 acres (13.6 km2) of Mediterranean woodlands and granite boulders on the Sierra de Guadarrama hills, more than 3,000 feet (910 m) above sea level and includes a basilica, a Benedictine abbey, a guest house, the Valley, and the Juanelos — four cylindrical monoliths dating from the 16th century. The most prominent feature of the monument is the towering 150-metre-high (500 ft) cross erected over a granite outcrop 150 meters over the basilica esplanade and visible from over 20 miles (32 km) away.
Eilat Region - The Red Canyon
Photo taken by Photo taken by Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Credit attribution requested to the photographer and to the Ministry of Tourism
Well we made it to Devils Elbow the Eagles camp ground was further along we think, but instead of completing the loop which I think was about 8km we went a tad further and decided to turn around and go back the way we came, all up we probably did 8kms, it was getting late and we were slowing down every part of my legs and feet were killing me and I just wanted to get back to the beach and go for a swim. Lucky for us most of the way back was down hill it was walking in the sandy ash that was hard (we aren't super fit) and we whinge about our aches and pains all the way like a couple of 90 year old's, but at least we give it a crack and push each other.and we always feel good at the end of the day. Sorry these last few pics aren't up to par I will try to get some better ones another day.
A waterfall flowed underground to form these stalactites at the Meramac Caverns. Such a privilege to see them.
geological formation in Timna Park_ Eilot region, and Arava region --- Photo taken by Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Credit attribution requested to the photographer and to the Ministry of Tourism
This photo was taken in one of the amazing caves in Merapoh, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia.
Merapoh has many wonderful caves that have wonderful natural formations.
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I would be very pleased to receive your comments.
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Postojna Cave is a 20,570 m long Karst cave system near Postojna, Slovenia. It is the longest cave system in the country as well as one of its top tourism sites. The caves were created by the Pivka River.
The cave was first described in the 17th century by Johann Weichard Valvasor, and a new area of the cave was discovered accidentally in 1818 by local Luka Čeč, when he was preparing the hitherto known parts of the cave for a visit by Francis I, the first Emperor of Austria. In 1819, the caves were opened to the public, and Čeč went on to become the first official tourist guide for the caves. Electric lighting was added in 1884, preceding even Ljubljana, the capital of Carniola, the Austro-Hungarian province the cave was part of at the time, and further enhancing the cave system's popularity. In 1872 rails were laid in the cave along with first cave train for tourists. At first, these were pushed along by the guides themselves, later at the beginning of the 20th century a gas locomotive was introduced. After 1945, the gas locomotive was replaced by an electric one. 5.3 km of the caves are open to the public, the longest publicly accessible depth of any cave system in the world.
This lone fire hydrant seems woefully inadequate to extinguish the blaze if the Grand Canyon were ever to catch fire. The shot was taken at the west end of the South Rim.
Day trip to Bundanoon . I had it planned what we had to do Erith Coal Mine was supposed to be our last stop, but turned out to be our first stop. An easy walk the travel guide said 2km return .. well that was just bullshit !. It probably is easy if your pretty fit and a 20 something yuppy. For us pair of old girls on a down hill run towards 60 with a few to many injuries and only moderate fitness at best, this was hard bloody yakka not so much going down but we were dreading going back up with loaded backpacks of gear but after 4 hours roughly including shooting time we completed the task. Sadly for us the waterfall wasn't running it was just a trickle The old coal mines and rainforest eased our disappointment though finally we had made our first trek to the bowels of the valley. Well I am ticking this off the bucket list. I would love to come back after the rains but that 2kms felt like bloody 20km I swear. And those steps? that was the easy bit.
History:
Erith Colliery
1881 ~ 1897
Opened: Original location 1867
Location: Bundanoon Creek
Owner: Martin Larkin
Seam:- Wongawilli (assumed)
Closed: circa 1897
1867 Martin Larkin takes out Mineral Rights on his own property at Jordans Crossing (now known as Bundanoon.)
1871 200 tons valued at 160 raised during 1871-1872 period from the mine known as Rock-roof.
1871 1881 Rock-roof Mine lies idle
1881 Messrs. Baker (A.E & Sons) open up a seam of coal at or near the old Rock-roof Mine naming it Erith Colliery.
1881 a limited amount of coal placed on market from Erith Colliery.
1881 1882 18 men were raising 50 ton per day mainly for use on the railways.
1882 1883 20 men employed
1883 1884 40 men raised 10,492 tons
1884 contracts for the supply of 16,000 tons per year to the railways obtained.
1884 1885 labour force fell to 24 men raising only 1,811 tons
1885 latter half of year saw only 2 men employed with work almost suspended due to lack of sales.
1886 1887 no work undertaken.
1887 March 1887 the property of 250 acres plus winding engine, tram line, tools etc were advertised for sale through Tucker & Co. Sydney.
1896 Messrs. Palmer & Coppard reopened the mine and production restarted
1896 December the operation was on half time basis and later abandoned.
1915 The Erith Colliery Siding was removed on the 13th September 1915.
As the mine was established some 25 metres below the cliff tops, a wooden platform was built projecting horizontally from the cliff top, out into the valley void. Through a hole in this platform, skips loaded with coal were hoisted from the mine entrance in the valley.
It would appear that the loaded skips were then drawn along a single track some 300 yards long by horse, to a siding on the Great Southern Railway line for screening and loading into government railway wagons.
Kings Canyon is a unique and spectacular collection of landforms located midway between Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock) in central Australia. Following Kings Creek along the floor of the Canyon around the middle of the day, I noticed this shallow “cave” eroded into the rock on the south side of the Canyon. After scrambling up the rock face I was able to perch myself precariously on the narrow cave floor to capture this image.
© Irwin Reynolds, all rights reserved. If you are interested in using one of my images or would like a high quality fine art print, please send an email to irwinreynolds@me.com.
geological formation_"the Mushroom", in Timna Park, Arava region, Eilot region. ---Photo taken by Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Credit attribution requested to the photographer and to the Ministry of Tourism
The King Solomon Pillars at Timna Park, near Eilat ---Photo taken by Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Credit attribution requested to the photographer and to the Ministry of Tourism
Hierve Al Agua
Hierve el Agua (Spanish for "the water boils") is set of natural rock formations in the Mexican state of Oaxaca that resemble cascades of water. The site is located about 70 km east of Oaxaca city, past Mitla, in the municipality of San Lorenzo Albarradas, with a narrow, winding unpaved road leading to the site. The site consists of two rock shelves or cliffs which rise between fifty and ninety metres from the valley below, from which extend nearly white rock formations which look like waterfalls. These formations are created by fresh water springs, whose water is over-saturated with calcium carbonate and other minerals. As the water scurries over the cliffs, the excess minerals are deposited, much in the same manner that stalactites are formed in caves. One of the cliffs, called the "cascada chica" (small waterfall) or the Amphitheatre, contains two large artificial pools for swimming as well as a number of small natural pools. One of the artificial pools is very near the edge of the cliff.
Timna Park, geological formation, south western Arava region, Eilot region --- Photo taken by Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Credit attribution requested to the photographer and to the Ministry of Tourism
The sinkhole reaches down over 120 feet to the bottom, and at least twelve springs feed the pool at the bottom. Who knows how many fossils and ancient relics are down there.
Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
Gainesville
Alachua County Florida
USA
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
OLYMPUS M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R
Hierve Al Agua
Hierve el Agua (Spanish for "the water boils") is set of natural rock formations in the Mexican state of Oaxaca that resemble cascades of water. The site is located about 70 km east of Oaxaca city, past Mitla, in the municipality of San Lorenzo Albarradas, with a narrow, winding unpaved road leading to the site. The site consists of two rock shelves or cliffs which rise between fifty and ninety metres from the valley below, from which extend nearly white rock formations which look like waterfalls. These formations are created by fresh water springs, whose water is over-saturated with calcium carbonate and other minerals. As the water scurries over the cliffs, the excess minerals are deposited, much in the same manner that stalactites are formed in caves. One of the cliffs, called the "cascada chica" (small waterfall) or the Amphitheatre, contains two large artificial pools for swimming as well as a number of small natural pools. One of the artificial pools is very near the edge of the cliff.
El Monasterio de Piedra fue adquirido en 1843, por Don Pablo Muntadas Campeny, a través de una Subasta Pública, por 1.250.000 reales.
Fue en los años siguientes, cuando Don Juan Federico Muntadas, hijo del anterior, transformó la huerta existente en un jardín paisajista, y las dependencias conventuales en una instalación hostelera e hidroterápica. A ello, añadió la construcción de una piscifactoría en 1867, que fue pionera en España y de la que pueden verse algunas de sus pesqueras al visitar el Parque.
Desde entonces hasta nuestros días, Piedra se convirtió en un destino turístico de primer orden. La adquisición de la Propiedad por la familia Muntadas, la transformación del monasterio en un Hotel y los nuevos usos turísticos que se dieron a las dependencias frenaron su degradación, después de la desamortización de Mendizábal en 1835, y lo han preservado como en la actualidad.
El recorrido del Parque del Monasterio de Piedra está cuajado de sorpresas y bellísimos rincones de cualidades estéticas y paisajistas sorprendentes. A la belleza propia del río hay que añadir el bullicio y frescor de sus cascadas, la apacible quietud de sus lagos, en especial la del Lago del Espejo y el cantar o trineo de diferentes especies de aves, de las que se han identificado más de 20 especies distintas.
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The Monasterio de Piedra was acquired in 1843 after Mendizabal’s seizure (1835), through a public auction by Don Pablo Muntadas Campeny.
In the following years, his sonDon Juan Federico Muntadas, with the help of the Piedra river that crossed the lands, transformed the existing orchard into a landscaped garden full of waterfalls and extraordinary vegetation, and the conventual buildings into a hotel and a hidrotherapic installation.
The Park is a wonderful example of how sometimes the ingenuity of man and the power of nature, in this case the Piedra river and a fascinating natural geology, complement each other to create magical spaces of stunning beauty.
And to this beauty, Don Juan Federico Muntadas also added the construction of the first fish farm in Spain in 1867, of which you can still see a part today, when visiting the park.
From then until now, Monasterio de Piedrahas become a prime tourist destination.The overwhelming nature of the Park with itspaths and waterfalls, make of this Historic Garden a unique place in the world. Today, more than 150 years later, the Piedra river continues sculpturing the rock, and the hand of man is only responsible of keeping the place clean and safe, to ensure an absolutely unforgettable visit to everyone that comes to discover this Park.
Postojna Cave is a 20,570 m long Karst cave system near Postojna, Slovenia. It is the longest cave system in the country as well as one of its top tourism sites. The caves were created by the Pivka River.
The cave was first described in the 17th century by Johann Weichard Valvasor, and a new area of the cave was discovered accidentally in 1818 by local Luka Čeč, when he was preparing the hitherto known parts of the cave for a visit by Francis I, the first Emperor of Austria. In 1819, the caves were opened to the public, and Čeč went on to become the first official tourist guide for the caves. Electric lighting was added in 1884, preceding even Ljubljana, the capital of Carniola, the Austro-Hungarian province the cave was part of at the time, and further enhancing the cave system's popularity. In 1872 rails were laid in the cave along with first cave train for tourists. At first, these were pushed along by the guides themselves, later at the beginning of the 20th century a gas locomotive was introduced. After 1945, the gas locomotive was replaced by an electric one. 5.3 km of the caves are open to the public, the longest publicly accessible depth of any cave system in the world.
Spent the day at Kiama with Teresa. First stop was the "boneyard". which is an old rock quarry, and we had a blast the tide was coming in and unlike Jervis Bay where the ocean is calm and flat most of the time, this place was rocking on the incoming tide the waves were jaw dropping massive and slammed the coastline and over the top of the rocks .. I guess you had to be there to experience the full impact of it all and scale of them. anyways we couldn't drag ourselves away and spent a good part of the day here.
Geology
Millions of years ago volcanism formed basaltic lava flows in the region, these flows played a significant role in shaping Australia’s southern coastline. Today the Bombo Headland is one of the most significant geological sites in New South Wales, its rock type and its formation features have technical significance to international scientists as it was formed when north and south magnetic poles were reversed. The headland consists of two rock types of the Gerringong volcanics, the Kiama Sandstone rock and the Bombo Latite rock, which were deposited about 260 million years ago during the early Permian period. Around 60 to 25 million years ago further volcanic activity created another layer of Basalt (Bombo Latite), which is overlayed on the headland. The later volcanic activity intruded the Bombo Latite in the form of dykes. The Kiama Sandstone rock has formed a narrow platform adjacent to the vertical cliff faces around the south-eastern extremity of the headland.
Basalt in the Headland
Basalt is a dark-coloured, fine-grained, igneous rock composed mainly of plagioclase and pyroxene minerals. It is most commonly formed as an extrusive rock, such as a lava flow, but can also form in small intrusive bodies, such as an igneous dyke or a thin sill. Within the headland there are examples of extrusive and intrusive formations due to the overlaying over various volcanic activity, if people know what they are looking for up to 5 dykes can be found while exploring the quarry. The main feature of the headland is the spectacular columnar jointing which is caused during the cooling of the thick basalt lava flows. The lava contracts as it cools, forming fractures/cracks, once a crack develops it continues to grow resulting in what you see in front of you. These columns and jointing are evident throughout the quarry with the isolated columns adjacent the ocean up to five metres in height. Much of the columns were left standing when the quarry was excavated to keep the sea out of the quarry. At the northern end of the wall cross sections of the columns result in a 'Giants Causeway' appearance.
Volcanic Breccia
To the untrained, volcanic breccia can often be mistaken as sedimentary conglomerate, the main difference being the type of rock and how they look. Conglomerate is composed of rounded fragments of pre-existing rocks while volcanic breccia is formed by the explosive volcanic eruptions trapping wall material in magma which results in fragmented rocks being entrapped in the flows. Lava may also pick up rock fragments, especially if flowing over rubble on the flanks of a volcano and this can also form volcanic breccia.
Volcanic Dykes
A dyke is an igneous intrusion formed when magma cools and solidifies before it reaches the surface. The magma pushes up towards the surface through cracks in the rock. Dykes form vertical or steeply in the rock and the dyke is always younger than the rocks which surround it. Dykes are usually visible because they are at a different angle and usually have different colour and texture to that of the rock surrounding them.
Kiama Sandstone
Seeing sandstone along the the eastern seaboard of Australia isn’t uncommon, however its surprising to see this unique feature of sandstone layered into a basalt headland. Geological history tells us that sandstone is prevalent to the region but in an area known for is volcanic activity it’s rare to see the two rock types together. The headland offers a great example of the two rocks as much of the sandstone in the area is normally below sea level except for a small narrow wave-cut platform visible from the quarry. A mixture of lava (basalt) and sediment like this is called peperite.
Mining the Basalt
In 1880 James Holt received a parcel of crown land in the Bombo area, soon afterwards the Bombo Headland Quarry commenced operation for the quarrying of blue metal. By 1883 a jetty was erected north of the headland. Steam crushing machines and equipment were installed and rail services were extended from Sydney to Kiama, including a spur into the quarry. The quarry and its transport ship SS Dunmore were operated by NSW Associated Blue Metal Quarries Ltd. The transportation of basalt to Sydney became known as the ‘Blue Diamond Trade’ and the dozens of small vessels carrying the blue metal became known as the ‘Stone Fleet’. Railways in the area in the late 19th Century reduced the reliance on shipping for transporting the blue metal and provided a more effective means of transportation. In 1930 the quarry closed for five years during the depression, by 1935 the quarry reopened and electric crushers and machines were installed. However in 1940 NSW Railways ceased quarrying at Bombo Headland and moved operations to the quarry on the western side of the railway line which is still operational today. Regrettably none of the mining history remains on site, the old tramway, jetty and crushers have all gone.