EThese rock formations make you wonder if we are on Earth or on another unknown planet. Is it possible that nature created these fabulous places or are these the results of the work of alien aliens? But there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for all this.
In the world of geology and even archeology, strange finds are not uncommon. While some remain a mystery, there are others that have perfectly reasonable explanations... but that doesn't mean they're any less unusual.
Strange finds created by nature can be found all over the world, for example, in the sacred Uluru or even in the Lion City, which is located deep under water in China. However, there are so many other places that seem to have been created artificially. But is it really so?
Fairy Giants Road in Northern Ireland
The Giant's Road can be seen just off the Coastal Causeway in Northern Ireland and is truly one of the most interesting sights to see in the area.
More than 40,000 hexagonal stones are joined together, forming in places a perfect uneven lattice made of black basalt.
The complexity and seemingly geometric pattern of these rocks is what makes this place so incredible. The theory behind the appearance of this feature is that it is the result of volcanic activity that occurred approximately 50 million years ago.
The speed at which the rocks cooled resulted in the unique shape we see today. Although it is not completely clear: why exactly this form and in this form?
Moeraki boulders in New Zealand
These strange stone spheres can be found all over Koekohe Beach. There are two explanations for their origin, one is geological and the other is Maori legend.
In accordance with the geological evolution of the area, these rocks were formed as a result of natural causes. Their basis is sand, silt and clay.
All this trinity is quite reliably cemented by calcite and time. In general, time made them in water, then placed them in a solid foundation, and then water erosion again revealed them to the world.
According to Maori legend, these stones were once part of a massive canoe, which, once wrecked in the sea, was washed ashore.
Fairytale stone forest of China
The stone forest in China is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as such is a protected area. These extremely tall rock formations date back to about 270 million years.
Then this fabulous place, according to scientists, was the sea. This is the only scientific explanation for these gigantic towers, as the combination of water and wind was the only force to turn them into what they are today.
The stone towers are composed of sandstone and limestone, further proof that the area was indeed once under water.
The stone pillars today stand among the trees in the forest, and are themselves covered with vegetation, creating an unrealistic landscape reminiscent of scenes from the famous film Avatar.
Chocolate Hills in the Philippines
The Chocolate Hills are actually so interesting because there are so many of them in one place. They are one of a kind and unique enough to be considered the third National Geographic Monument of the Philippines.
So what are they made of? The core of these strange barrows is limestone, usually covered with grass. Because of this, they are not always the same color, but when the dry season comes, the grass takes on a brown tint. Hence this fabulous place is called "Chocolate Hills".
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah USA
While the rock formations in Bryce Canyon National Park are definitely unique, they're actually not one of a kind.
These natural objects, called hoodoos, can also be found in other places and countries. For example, this is Banff National Park in Canada.
Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon Park are interesting because they intertwine with other strange formations called spiers and can be found throughout the canyon.
According to open data, the Paiute tribe called these hoodoos "red rocks" that "stood like people" in a "bowl-shaped canyon."
Some of these formations are over ten stories high and are believed to have been formed by water that repeatedly froze and thawed between sedimentary rocks.
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