Amazing Geological Oddities
Update! I’ve taken some of your suggestions and feedback and written part 2 of Amazing Geological Oddities! See it here: Amazing Geological Oddities Part II
Moving Rocks at the Racetrack Playa, Death Valley California.
Death Valley in California is home to rocks that seem to move on their own. Pebbles to Boulders are found scattered around the “racetrack” with trails that turn, loop, and zigzag behind them. Some of the Rocks move, others don’t. It was thought for some time that magnetic forces were the cause of the phenomena. Scientists now believe that the cause is wind. When there has been enough water to soak the flat clay, and temperatures lower below freezing, it causes tiny ice crystals to form. When the surface of a rock is slick enough in these conditions wind will actually have enough power to move them around, leaving a trail. 
The Richat Structure, or “Eye of the Sahara.”
This spectacular landform in Mauritania in the southwestern part of the Sahara desert is so huge with a diameter of 30 miles that it is visible from space. The formation was originally thought to be caused by a meteorite impact but now geologists believe it is a product of uplift and erosion. The cause of its circular shape is still a mystery.
The driest place on Earth, Atacama Desert.
The Atacama Desert receives less than 1mm of rain per year, and at one point not a single drop of precipitation landed on its dry surface for 400 years. It’s caused by the Andes rainshadow; meaning that the trade winds moving east along South America lose all moisture when they slam against the steep slopes of the Andes Mountains. The Atacama Desert is found nestled up against the western slopes of the mountain range. Interestingly, several thousand miles south the winds change direction, and the deserts are then found on the eastern side of the Andes, such as the Monte Desert in Argentina.
The Naica Mine, Cave of Crystals, Mexico.
These caverns found in a mine in Chihuahua Mexico
are home to some of the largest crystals ever discovered and are an impressive sight. The crystals are made mainly of Gypsum, and under these extremely rare conditions were allowed to grow unimpeded.
The Curtain of Fire, Hawaii.
These amazing lava fountains erupted during the first stage of the Puu Oo eruption in January, 1983. The lava created a wall of magma 100-160 feet high along a fissure along the Eastern Rift of Mount Kilauea.
Sinkholes
What could be more terrifying than the earth opening itself and swallowing your entire home? Among other places, this can become a reality in the Southeastern United States. Sinkholes are found in regions of Karst Topography, where pockets of loose sedimentary rock found under the surface can be eroded by groundwater, leaving behind caverns and caves, some of which collapse.
Stone Forest, Southwest China.
The Shilin (Chinese for stone forest) is an impressive example of karst topography. The rocks are made of limestone and are formed by water percolating the ground’s surface and eroding away everything but the pillars.
This entry was posted on Sunday, April 13th, 2008 at 1:07 pm and is filed under Science. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
very cool! nice post!
I did a report on the sliding rocks for my geology class, which I was determined not to like and now love. Thanks for the idea, I got an A!!!!!
I did a report on the sliding rocks. Thanks for the inspiration, I got an “A”!
Sinkholes — the most stumbled upon phenomena known to man.
thank you very very very much
can i share this on facebook , please
Of course
you can buy natural herbal supplements to lose weight, improve your health and your body,cream for skin care, herbal cmoke, various energy supplements.
health , herbal smoke shop , best energy supplements , nutritional health supplements , womens health
joint health supplements , sex toys, online health supplements , organic skin care , body building
best health supplements , mens health supplementsmens health , body building supplement, supplements , weight management
Hair Again, Sleep well, Hoodia Pure, Hammer, Hard Man – Tongkat Ali, Hoodia Extreme, Hops Hash 30g, Instant Virgin Spray, Max Bust36, Memomore, No More Wrinkles, Menohelp, Musclemax Extreme, L-Glutamine, 15g Colombian Gold, 15g Rasta Weed, 5-HTP, 5g Super Weed, Acai Berry, Beaded Butt Plug, Bed Hero Cologne, Bed Hero Cologne, Bed Hero Perfume, Big daddy,Chillax, Conceive For Her, Conceive For Him, Delay, jacutrol, Eyefine, EZ Quit with free CD, EZ Slim, Fluorescent G-Spot, Foot Detox, Boji Berry, Hi Octane, Horny Goat Weed, Hyperdrive, Loaded, Mello Man, Miracle White, Morgasm, Musclemax Extreme, Natalia Doll, NeuroBlast, Niagra, Nympho Max, Panax Ginseng, Mens Health, Saint Johns Wort, SirMaximus, Space Trips, Thrustmaster, White Me, Wild Dragon, Yummy Cum
Good day very cool site!! Man .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally…I’m satisfied to search out so many helpful information here in the submit, we’d like develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.
Hmm is anyone else encountering difficulties with the pictures on this weblog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a issue on my finish or if it is the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
excelenta a gacúnco si orento saros con ssegist. peges iremos se areling son dogresses mi mescr deisunilh y radingel duria petra.
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
I discovered your web log on google and check a number of your early on posts. Continue to maintain the good operate. I only additional upward your Rss to my MSN Media Reader. Seeking forwards to reading more via Austin Riba » Blog Archive » Amazing Geological Oddities later on!
Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a hard time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!
Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!
It’s my first pay a visit to this website, and I am truly surprised to see such a nice feature YouTube video posted at this point.
I would like to use the chance of thanking you for that professional guidance I have continually enjoyed viewing your site. I will be looking forward to the commencement of my school research and the general preparing would never have been complete without coming over to your website. If I could be of any help to others, I might be delighted to help as a result of what I have learned from here.
$author this is some truthful blog.
Heinrich…
[...]Austin Riba » Blog Archive » Amazing Geological Oddities[...]…
Hoodia Diet Pill Supplements…
[...]Austin Riba » Blog Archive » Amazing Geological Oddities[...]…
I lately realized your web site the other day and that i happen to be following it’s routinely. You’ve got excellent deal of suggestions proper here so i delight inside your lifestyle of online internet site likewise. Preserve acknowledge that you will find succeed!
penpals, mens health, entertanment…
[...]Austin Riba » Blog Archive » Amazing Geological Oddities[...]…