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List of places with columnar jointed volcanics

{{Short description|Polygonal stone columns}}

File:BasaltColumns PortoSanto.JPG, Portugal]]

Columnar jointing of volcanic rocks exists in many places on Earth. Perhaps the most famous basalt lava flow in the world is the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, in which the vertical joints form polygonal columns and give the impression of having been artificially constructed.

Notable columnar jointed volcanics

=Africa=

  • Bugarama in Rusizi, Rwanda{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} Columnar jointing in Rusizi district, Nzahaha Sector. This may have formed from contractional cooling of basaltic lavas.
  • Foreke Quarry, Foreke Dachang, Cameroon
  • Ikom Columnar Basalt in Cross River State, Nigeria {{Cite web |last1=Udinmwen |first1=E |last2=Oden |first2=M.I |last3=Ukwang |first3=E.E |last4=Edu |first4=E.S |date=2016 |title=Structural Geometry of Ikom Columnar Basalt in the Ikom – Mamfe Basin, Southeastern Nigeria |url=http://www.aiscience.org/journal/paperInfo/jeas?paperId=3074 |access-date=2022-06-03 |website=www.aiscience.org}}
  • Numan, Nigeria{{cite journal | url=https://www.unilorin.edu.ng/publications/adekeyejid/P12.%20Petrography%20and%20Geochemistry%20of%20Basaltic%20Rocks.pdf | title=Petrography and geochemistry of basaltic rocks from the northcentral part of Yola Basin, N.E. Nigeria | author1=Ntekim, E. E. | author2=Adekeye, J. I. D. | name-list-style=amp | journal=Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Science | year=2003 | volume=18 | pages=1430–1437 | access-date=2016-02-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225151755/https://www.unilorin.edu.ng/publications/adekeyejid/P12.%20Petrography%20and%20Geochemistry%20of%20Basaltic%20Rocks.pdf | archive-date=2016-02-25 | url-status=dead }}
  • "Organ Pipes" near Twyfelfontein, Namibia{{cite book | title=Namibia: Fascination of Geology – A Travel Handbook | publisher=Klaus Hess | author=Grunert, Nicole | year=2000 | location=Windhoek | pages=73–74 | isbn=99916-747-8-0}}
  • Rochester Falls, Mauritius
  • Seliana, Tunisia{{citation needed|date=May 2015}}
  • Isle de la Madeleine, Dakar, Senegal
  • Lalibela, Ethiopia

=Asia=

File:Garni Gorge Armenia axxp.JPG

File:S-Basalt.JPG tuff at the Hong Kong High Island Reservoir]]

File:Interlocked basaltic columns at of Kavadia mountain.jpg in India.]]

File:Cape Stolbchaty.jpg, Kuril Islands, Russia]]

==Armenia==

==China (mainland)==

  • Heiyuhe Columnar Joints (黑鱼河柱状节理) [Xianrenqiao (仙人桥)], Longchuan River (龙川江) & Black Fish River, Tengchong

==Hong Kong==

  • Basalt Island area, Hong Kong; including High Island Reservoir area, Hong Kong; although the High Island Reservoir is not basalt but rhyolitic tuff, rich in potash feldspar and quartz phenocrysts.

==India==

{{ anchor | India }}

{{ see also | National Geological Monuments of India | List of menhirs#India | l2= Menhirs in India | Hampi#Hindu_monuments | l3= Vijay Vittala Temple of 56 musical pillars }}

In India, columnars are found in several places across the volcanic traps such as 6.5 crore or 65 million years ago (Mya) old deccan traps in South India and 14.5 crore or 145 mya old Rajmahal Traps in Eastern India.

;Karnataka

  • St. Mary's Island columnars near Malpe in Udupi district of Karnataka state.[https://www.gsi.gov.in/webcenter/portal/OCBIS/pageGeoInfo/pageGEOTOURISM/pageGeoTourismColumnar Columnar Basaltic Lava, Coconut Island (St. Mary's Islands), Udupi District, Karnataka], Geological Survey of India.

;Madhya Pradesh

  • Kavadia Pahad columnars: Forest area near Bagli & Pipari village of Dewas District in Madhya Pradesh. The rock formation is at Kavadia Pahad which is a series of seven mountain ranges.{{cite web |title=Rare rock formation found in Dewas |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/Rare-rock-formation-found-in-Dewas-district/articleshow/17744224.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 August 2019 |date=24 December 2012}}
  • Linga columnars: {{convert|11|km}} south of Chhindwara city.
  • Narsinghpur columnar joints in Deccan Basalts near Narsinghpur.

;Maharashtra

  • Bandivade columnars: found at Bandivade village bear Panhala in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.[https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/rare-basalt-columns-found-in-village-in-kolhapur/article24882477.ece Rare basalt columns found in village in Kolhapur], Business Line, 6 Sept 2018.
  • Gilbert Hill columnars in Andheri suburb of Mumbai in Maharashtra
  • Manmad columnars
  • Muktagiri columnars jointing in basalt lava flows of Muktagiri section in Amravati district

;Telangana

  • Adilabad district columnars.[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/6-5cr-yr-old-basalt-columns-discovered-in-adilabad-forest/articleshow/85164303.cms Telangana: 6.5 crore-year-old basalt columns discovered in Adilabad forest], Times of India, 9 Aug 2021.
  • Borilalguda columnars: Found on a small hillock inside the reserve forest of Borilalguda village in Kerameri tehsil of Komaram Bheem Asifabad district.[https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2022/jun/06/columnar-basalt-formations-found-in-asifabad-forests-in-telangana-2462222.html Columnar basalt formations found in Asifabad forests in Telangana], Indian Express, 6 June 2022.
  • Medak district columnars
  • Nizamabad district columnars
  • Rangareddy district columnars

==Indonesia==

File:Situs_Megalitikum_Gunung_Padang,_Cianjur_-_panoramio_(11).jpg

File:Gunung_Padang_Scenery.jpg

==Iran==

==Japan==

==Malaysia ==

File:Basalt Columns .jpg

File:Teck Guan Cocoa Village Columnar Basalt.jpg, Malaysia]]

  • In Teck Guan Cocoa Village and in Giram River, Kampung Balung Cocos Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.

==Mongolia==

==Philippines==

  • Dunsulan Falls in Mount Samat, Pilar, Bataan{{cite web|url=http://hellowkimmy.blogspot.com/2014/04/dunsulan-falls-of-bataan.html|title=H E L L O ♥ K I M M Y : Dunsulan Falls Of Bataan|first=Kimberly|last=Po|date=27 April 2014|website=Hellowkimmy.blogspot.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.janegalvez.com/2016/02/27/bataan-day-trip-mount-samat-and-dunsulan-falls/|title=Bataan Day Trip: Mount Samat and Dunsulan Falls Itinerary|date=27 February 2016|website=Janegalvez.com}}
  • Bulingan Falls in Lamitan, Basilan{{cite web |title=Bulingan Falls |url=http://www.choosephilippines.com/go/water-forms/586/bulingan-falls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319005335/http://www.choosephilippines.com/go/water-forms/586/bulingan-falls |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 19, 2017 |website=ChoosePhilippines.com |access-date=31 July 2018|date=28 August 2013}}

==Russia==

==South Korea==

==Syria / Israel (disputed)==

File:6-4012-102 - Meshushim (Hexagons) and the river from up - משושי הבזלת ונחל המשושים מלמעלה.jpg, with prominent hexagonal basalt columns]]

==Taiwan==

==Thailand==

  • Mon Hin Kong ({{langx|th|ม่อนหินกอง}}), in a mountainous area of the Phi Pan Nam Range near Na Phun, Wang Chin District, Phrae Province, Thailand[http://www.addphrae.com/travel/%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%87-wonderful-mountan-of-colunnar ม่อนเสาหินพิศวง Wonderful Mountain Of Colunnar] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120717165651/http://www.addphrae.com/travel/%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%87-wonderful-mountan-of-colunnar |date=2012-07-17 }}

==Turkey==

File:Boyabat.jpg in Turkey]]

  • Basalt Rocks Natural Monument, Boyabat, Sinop Province,{{cite web |url=http://geologie-alsace.fr/images/dossiers/boyabatbasaltcliffsb.pdf |first1=Martina | last1=Kölbl-Ebert | first2=Stéphanie | last2=Colicchio | publisher=l'association de la Maison de la Géologie et de l'Environnement de Haute-Alsace |title=The Boyabat Basalt Cliffs | date=2014 | access-date=29 January 2017 }} Turkey

==Vietnam==

File:Gành Đá Đĩa.jpg city, Phú Yên Province, Vietnam]]

=Europe=

Image:Basalt columns, Rhön, Germany.JPG, North Bavaria, Germany]]

File:Milos basalts.JPG, Greece]]

File:Ponta da Ajuda, Azores.jpg

File:DetunataGoala.jpg, Romania]]

File:Giants-causeway-in-ireland.jpg in the basalt of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland]]

File:Fingal's Cave on Staffa Island - panoramio (4).jpg

==Croatia==

  • Rupnica, Papuk Nature Park UNESCO Global Geopark, Croatia

==Czech Republic==

  • Panská skála, Kamenický Šenov, Czech Republic{{cite web|url=http://www.luzicke-hory.cz/mista/index.php?pg=zmpansc|title=Panská skála|website=Luzicke-hory.cz|access-date=26 December 2018}}
  • Zlatý vrch, Česká Kamenice, Czech Republic

==Faroe Islands==

==France==

==Georgia==

==Germany==

==Great Britain==

  • The islands of Canna, Eigg, and Muck, Scotland
  • Cullernose Point, near Craster, Northumberland, England{{cite book |last1=Hazelhurst |first1=S Rennie |title=Northumberland |date=22 November 2012 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9781107677500 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FLRvFIqbhFgC |access-date=5 August 2022}}
  • The northern part of the Isle of Skye, Scotland
  • The Isle of Mull and the nearby beach of Morvern, Scotland
  • Samson's ribs, Scotland
  • Fingal's Cave and Staffa, Scotland
  • Pen Anglas, Pembrokeshire, Wales{{cite web |title=Jaw-dropping geology from Strumble Head to Cardigan |url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/strumble-head-to-cardigan/features/jaw-dropping-geology-from-strumble-head-to-cardigan |website=National Trust |access-date=3 August 2022}}
  • Ulva, Scotland
  • Cave Dale, Castleton, Peak District
  • Dunbar Harbour

==Greece==

==Hungary==

  • Badacsony
  • Bér
  • Szanda
  • Szilváskő
  • Hegyestű
  • Szent-György-hegy
  • Gulács
  • Haláp
  • Hajagos
  • Uzsa

=={{anchor|Iceland}}Iceland==

==Ireland==

==Italy==

==Portugal==

==Romania==

==Slovakia==

  • Šomoška

==Spain==

  • Punta Baja, Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, Andalusia
  • Castellfollit de la Roca, Girona
  • Fruiz, Biscay{{cite web | url=http://www.ingurumena.ejgv.euskadi.eus/r49-u95/es/contenidos/informacion/lig/es_def/adjuntos/036.pdf | title=Basaltos de Fruiz | work=Inventario lugares de interés geológico en la comunidad autónoma del País Vasco | access-date=18 February 2016 | author=Gobierno vasco | language=Spanish}}
  • Pitón volcánico de Cancarix, Albacete
  • Los Órganos, La Gomera, Canary Islands[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Los_Organos_La_Gomera.JPG La Gomera: basalt cliffs Los Organos], Commons.wikimedia.org

==Sweden==

==Ukraine==

=North and Central America=

File:Orgues du pain de sucre.jpg in the basalt of the Pain de sucre (sugar loaf) in les Saintes, Guadeloupe]]

File:La Concepción, Aculco.jpg

File:Basalt columns in the Mascota River, Mexico.jpg

File:Prismas Basálticos, Huasca de Ocampo, Hidalgo, México, 2013-10-10, DD 06.JPG

File:Columnar Basalt Devil's Postpile California.JPG in California]]

File:Crook_County,_WY,_USA_-_panoramio_(14).jpg, Wyoming]]

==Canada==

==Costa Rica==

  • Bajo Rodriguez, San Lorenzo de San Ramon

==El Salvador==

  • Cascada Los Tercios, Suchitoto
  • Concepción waterfall, Aculco

==Greenland==

  • Qeqertarsuaq, Disko Island{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/disko-island-greenland/index.html|title=The Grand Canyon of the Arctic Circle|first=Chris |last=Scott |others=video by Effie Nidam, Diana Diroy and Chris Scott|date=31 October 2017|website=CNN Travel}}

==Guadeloupe==

==Guatemala==

==Mexico==

==Panama==

  • Los Ladrillos, Boquete

==United States==

=Oceania=

File:CAPE RAOUL - TASMAN NATIONAL PARK.jpg

File:Columnar basalt, Blackhead, New Zealand.jpg

==Australia==

==Federated States of Micronesia==

==New Zealand==

  • Blackhead, Dunedin{{cite web|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/casn95.pdf|title=Black Head : Vegetation Condition After Quarrying|website=Doc.govt.nz|access-date=26 December 2018}} {{coord|45|55|55|S|170|25|55|E|display=inline}}
  • Bridal Veil Falls, Raglan {{coord|37|54|30|S|174|53|45|E|display=inline}}
  • Ohira Bay, Chatham Islands{{cite web |title=Basalt columns |url=https://chathamislands.co.nz/see-do/attractions/basalt-columns/ |website=chathamislands.co.nz |publisher=Tourism Chatham Islands |access-date=11 February 2024}} {{coord|43|48|20|S|176|38|55|W|display=inline}}
  • The Organ Pipes, Mount Cargill, Dunedin{{cite web|url=https://tramper.nz/|title=New Zealand Tramper - A community for good, keen trampers and hikers|website=Tramper.nz|access-date=26 December 2018}} {{coord|45|48|30|S|170|34|00|E|display=inline}}
  • Paratahi Island, Auckland{{Cite journal |first1=E. K. |last1=Cameron |first2=M. D. |last2=Wilcox |journal=Auckland Botanical Society Journal | title =Paratahi Island, Karekare – revisited |url=https://bts.nzpcn.org.nz/site/assets/files/23991/ak_bot_soc_journal_67_1_jun_2012_60-64.pdf |year=2012 |volume=67|pages=60–64}} {{coord|36|59|41|S|174|28|13|E|display=inline}}
  • Second Beach, Dunedin {{coord|45|55|00|S|170|29|05|E|display=inline}}
  • Mount Somers / Te Kiekie, Canterbury[https://web.archive.org/web/20161024194825/https://www.flickr.com/photos/purecaffeine/8351312880/ The Pinnacles, Mt Somers on flickr] {{coord|43|36|30|S|171|22|30|E|display=inline}}

=South America=

Beyond Earth

File:Martevallis hir 2007304 lrgMod1.png region, Mars. Image courtesy of the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, Arizona State University.]]

Several exposures of columnar jointing have been discovered on the planet Mars by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera, which is carried by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Notable among them are formations in the Marte Vallis.{{cite web|url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/38904/mars-and-earth-columnar-jointing|title=Mars and Earth: Columnar Jointing|date=10 June 2009|website=Earthobservatory.nasa.gov}}

{{clear}}

Uses

File:Gunung Padang 5th terrace.jpeg

A likely Hindu-origin ancient site at Gunung Padang in West Java, Indonesia was built by horizontally laying basalt columns to form terraces on the slope of a hill and creating open-roofed chambers by erecting vertical columns. A now-ruined thirteenth-century religious complex called Nan Madol was built using columnar basalt quarried from various locations on the island of Pohnpei in Micronesia.

File:Detail of a wall constructed of columnar basalt pieces at Nan Madol.jpg

Hexagonal basalt was used to build retaining walls by early settlers in some places around Dunedin in New Zealand.

{{clear}}

Gallery

File:Stich einer Basaltformation in der Gegend von Verona (1778).jpg|Engraving of a basalt formation; from: Alberto Fortis, Della valle vulcanico-marina di Roncà nel territorio veronese (1778)

File:Hirtstein2.jpg|Basalt rocks on the Hirtstein in the Ore Mountains

File:Buehrener Orgelpfeifen 01.jpg|The Bühren Organ Pipes

File:Basalt Porto Santo.jpg|Basalt columns of Porto Santo, Archipelago of Madeira

File:Sinfonía de las Piedras, valle de Garni, Armenia, 2016-10-02, DD 16.jpg|Garni Gorge, Armenia

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

Columnar

Category:Geomyths