The Rock Formations of Augrabies…(7)

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…

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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”.

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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….

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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…

36 thoughts on “The Rock Formations of Augrabies…(7)

  1. 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…

    • 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…

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