I wish I knew more about geology… as these different types of rocks and the formations they make are really fascinating… Moon rock I know is granite and weathers very slowly…. cracking off layers like an onion peel…
And the black range…
The Swart Rante is an intrusive dyke complex: volcanic rock which solidified in a dyke formation deep under ground. Later, the dyke was subjected to intense heat and pressure which changed the mineral composition to form metamorphic rock. Due to the fact that both volcanic and metamorphic rock erode at a
slower rate than other rock types, the dyke still remains intact with the portion above ground being 8,2km long and 900m wide. The rocks you see today consist of the minerals pyroxene, amphibole, and feldspar. The shiny black, glazed surface is created iron, manganese, and titanium oxides are leached from the rocks by the sun and deposited on the surface in a thin layer known as “desert varnish”.
But the rest, I have no idea about.. it appears as a type of sandstone that would weather faster than any of the other rocks in the area… but their balancing acts are outstandingly unbelievable….
Here is a perfect example of the very slow rate of decomposition.
This is a dead Kokerboom tree that has probably been dead as long as I’ve been alive…
NEXT WILL BE THE KOKERBOOM TREE.. SEE YOU TOMORROW…
And we think we’re creative. Look at what rocks can do!
How true.. if we could only emulate nature, what artists we could be…
looks like arizona, lots of volcanic rock here, cool shots of a hot place!
Thanks … not un-similar to Australia area as well … fascinating… maybe Darwin was right with his theory …
I would also like to know more about geology, but I suppose we can know enough to admire! What an interesting place to just “be” and contemplate time! Lots and lot of time! The boulders are fascinating and look like you could almost tip them over. I’ll be back to learn about the tree!
It is an area of fascinating beauty that makes one think… how did this all happen…??… and then you toss around theories among yourselves .. interesting theories that come out…
Incredibile le sorprese che ci fa la natura. Foto bellissime, così viaggio anche io
Ciao, Pat
Thanks Pat… nature is amazing and I’m glad I could share these with you…
beautiful… Should be amazing experience to be there. Thank you dear Rob, love, nia
Thanks Nia…
Great photos, bdt. I love the one that looks like a giant mushroom.
These rocks fascinate me to no end… they sit on such small pieces and manage to stay up… I took a walk about among so many fascinating pieces but some are so close to others you actually can’t photo them to show others…
Greetings from Missoula Montana, U.S.A……..the rock formations are fascinating…unbelievable that they remain balanced on such small support!
Missoula Montana .. will have to go and see where that is… hope you are having a great time there…
it looks like another planet (and yes – is very much like central Australia!)
I think between the two continents we will find so many similarities… the only differences would be the Cricket and Rugby teams we support…
Probably best not to mention the cricket at the moment
Yes we do want to remain friends don’t we..lol
LOL!
I studied geology on an elementary level at school, but only the “local rocks.” Classes in geology around the world would be fascinating.
My favorite stone is Mica Shist, which sparkles and is very thin; peels off in layers.
Believe it or not… Mica is found there as well… I actually found some and gave my Grand Kids a quick lesson on it and it’s uses…
I love how landscapes like this are so desolate but astonishingly beautiful at the same time. Lovely pics!
Thank you .. they have a beauty of their own…
Beautiful!!!
Thanks…
I have never seen anything like these. Great post.
Thank you.. and thanks for looking in…
Amazing!
Thanks..
Fantastic post, Rob.
Thank you..
Yes, it does look like central Australia!
So you see we are neighbours just a small amount of water between us…
some of that reminds me of central Australia – we have formations like the Devil’s Marbles which are like those balancing boulders.
I think that Australia and South Africa have a lot of things in common… which makes me wonder if the theories that the two continents where once adjoined… !!! and if that’s the case then Howdy neighbour,,,