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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]} 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 ^[1]
Numan, Nigeria^[2]
"Organ Pipes" near Twyfelfontein, Namibia^[3]
Rochester Falls, Mauritius
Seliana, Tunisia^{[citation needed]}
Isle de la Madeleine, Dakar, Senegal

Asia

Curved columns of rhyolitic tuff at the Hong Kong High Island Reservoir

Armenia

Garni Gorge, Armenia
Near Saint Sarkis Cathedral, Yerevan, 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

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.^[4]

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.^[5]
Linga columnars: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) 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.^[6]
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.^[7]
Borilalguda columnars: Found on a small hillock inside the reserve forest of Borilalguda village in Kerameri tehsil of Komaram Bheem Asifabad district.^[8]
Medak district columnars^[7]
Nizamabad district columnars^[7]
Rangareddy district columnars^[7]

Indonesia

Gunung Padang in West Java is also a manmade archaeological site.
Gunung Kelud in West Java has basalt columns visible south of the crater lake (Wanajay peak).

Iran

Japan

Natsudomari Peninsula, Hiranai, Aomori
Kawazu 7 waterfalls area, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka
Tōjinbō, Mikuni, Fukui
Genbudō, Toyooka, Hyōgo
Takachiho-kyo gorge, Takachiho, Miyazaki
Keya no Oto, Itoshima, Fukuoka
Tatami-ishi, Kumejima, Okinawa

Malaysia

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

Mongolia

Kharandaa Khad in Taishir district, on Zavkhan River

Taiwan

Tongpan Basalt (桶盤玄武岩石柱), Tongpan Island and Hujing Island (Table island, 虎井嶼), Penghu Islands
The Whale Cave, on the seashore, in Penghu County

Thailand

Mon Hin Kong (Thai: ม่อนหินกอง), in a mountainous area of the Phi Pan Nam Range near Na Phun, Wang Chin District, Phrae Province, Thailand^[13]

Turkey

Basalt Rocks Natural Monument, Boyabat, Sinop Province,^[14] Turkey

Vietnam

Da Dia Cliff (13°21′15″N 109°17′38″E / 13.354154°N 109.293812°E / 13.354154; 109.293812) — The Cliff of Stone Plates (Vietnamese: Gành Đá Đĩa), An Ninh Đông Village, Tuy An District, Phú Yên Province, Vietnam
Yen Islet (13°13′32″N 109°18′32″E / 13.225638°N 109.308770°E / 13.225638; 109.308770) (Vietnamese: Hòn Yến)- An Hòa Village, Tuy An District, Phú Yên Province
Vuc Hom Fall (13°11′48″N 109°09′03″E / 13.196571°N 109.150737°E / 13.196571; 109.150737) (Vietnamese: Thác Vực Hồm) - An Lĩnh Village, Tuy An District, Phú Yên Province
Vuc Song Fall (13°11′06″N 109°08′59″E / 13.185074°N 109.149796°E / 13.185074; 109.149796) (Vietnamese: Thác Vực Song) - An Lĩnh Village, Tuy An District, Phú Yên Province
Battle Fall (14°20′03″N 108°40′50″E / 14.334100°N 108.680464°E / 14.334100; 108.680464) (Vietnamese: Thác Dơi) - Vĩnh Sơn Village, Vĩnh Thạnh District, Bình Định Province
Takon Citadel (14°18′19″N 108°42′12″E / 14.305230°N 108.703357°E / 14.305230; 108.703357) (Vietnamese: Thành đá Tà Kơn) - K8 (old name: Kon Blò), Vĩnh Sơn Village, Vĩnh Thạnh District, Bình Định Province

Europe

Basalt rocks near *Detunata Goală* east of Bucium, Romania

Columnar jointing in the basalt of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

Croatia

Rupnica, Papuk Nature Park UNESCO Global Geopark, Croatia

Czech Republic

Panská skála, Kamenický Šenov, Czech Republic^[15]
Zlatý vrch, Česká Kamenice, Czech Republic

Faroe Islands

Froðba, Hov
Hvalba and Trongisvágur, Suðuroy

France

Thueyts, Jaujac and Fabras, Ardèche
Saint-Flour, Cantal
Chilhac
Saint-Arcons
Prades
Saint-Clément
Moulin-Béraud
La Tour-d'Auvergne
Bort-les-Orgues
Scandola Nature Reserve, Corsica

Georgia

Sioni, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Georgia

Germany

Linz am Rhein, Mendig, Mayen, Rhineland-Palatinate
Hoher Hagen (Dransfeld), Lower Saxony
Rhön, North Bavaria
Stolpen, Saxony
Scharfenstein, Hesse
Weiselberg, Saarland

Greece

Milos, Greece

Hungary

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

Iceland

Aldeyjarfoss, Þingeyjarsveit
Borgarvirki
Dverghamrar, Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Gerðuberg
Hellnahraun near Arnarstapi, Snæfellsbær
Hljóðaklettar, Jökulsárgljúfur
Kirkjugólf, Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Kálfshamarsvík, Austur-Húnavatnssýsla
Litlanesfoss, Fljótsdalshreppur
Reynisdrangar and Reynisfjara, Vík í Mýrdal
Stuðlagil, East of Iceland
Svartifoss, Skaftafell

Italy

Alcantara River Gorges, Sicily
Capu Nieddu, Cuglieri, Sardinia
Cuccureddu de Zeppara, Guspini, Sardinia
Is Aruttas Santas, Villaurbana, Sardinia
Cyclopean Isles, Sicily
Motta Sant'Anastasia neck, Sicily
The thrown stones, Lazio

Portugal

Rocha dos Bordões cliffs, Flores, Azores
Pico de Ana Ferreira, Porto Santo^[16]
Penedo do Lexim, Mafra
Ponta da Ajuda, Fenais da Ajuda, São Miguel island Ilha de São Miguel, Azores

Romania

Coloanele de bazalt de la Racoș, Romania
Thunderstruck Rocks (Detunatele), Romania

Slovakia

Šomoška

Spain

Punta Baja, Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, Andalusia
Castellfollit de la Roca, Girona
Fruiz, Biscay^[17]
Pitón volcánico de Cancarix, Albacete
Los Órganos, La Gomera, Canary Islands^[18]

Sweden

Central Skåne Volcanic Province, Sweden

Ukraine

Bazaltove, Ukraine

United Kingdom

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
The islands of Canna, Eigg, and Muck, Scotland
Cullernose Point, near Craster, Northumberland, England^[19]
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^[20]
Ulva, Scotland
Cave Dale, Castleton, Peak District
Dunbar Harbour

North and Central America

Canada

North Mountain, Nova Scotia
Grand Manan Island (western shorelines), New Brunswick
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, British Columbia
Cardiff Mountain, Chilcotin Plateau, British Columbia
Keremeos Columns, Keremeos, British Columbia
Aberdeen Columns, Lavington, British Columbia
Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia (Moul Falls, Dragon's Tongue, Helmcken Falls)
Mount Edziza volcanic complex, British Columbia
Level Mountain, British Columbia
Teapot Mountain, Prince George, British Columbia
Kelowna, British Columbia (Mount Boucherie, Spion Kopje)
Devils Woodpile, British Columbia (Cathedral Provincial Park)
Tow Hill, British Columbia
Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec
Simpson Island, Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, Rossport, Ontario
Miles Canyon, Whitehorse, Yukon

Costa Rica

Bajo Rodriguez, San Lorenzo de San Ramon

El Salvador

Cascada Los Tercios, Suchitoto
Concepción waterfall, Aculco

Greenland

Qeqertarsuaq, Disko Island^[21]

Guadeloupe

Pain de sucre (sugar loaf) Îles des Saintes, Guadeloupe

Guatemala

Chicovix, Quetzaltenango Department

Mexico

Panama

Los Ladrillos, Boquete

United States

Akun Island, Alaska (54.1374618, -165.6120578)
Block Mountain, Montana (along the lower Big Hole River)
Boiling Pots, Hilo, Hawaii (exposed by the Wailuku River)
Cascade Range, Oregon, in Eugene and southeast of Molalla
Columbia Plateau, Washington
Columns of the Giants, Stanislaus National Forest, California
Compton Peak in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia^[23]^[24]
Devils Postpile National Monument, California
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark, Washington
Elk River Falls, Idaho
Hughes Mountain, Missouri
Hyalite Falls, Gallatin Mountain Range, Montana
Whiterock Canyon, New Mexico, various cliffs and mesas from Otowi to Cochiti.
Latourell Falls, Oregon
Mount Tom (Massachusetts)
Palisades Sill, New Jersey and New York, along the Hudson River
Paul Bunyan's Woodpile, Juab County, Utah^[25]
Pinnacle Peak, King County, Washington
Sheepeater Cliff & multiple other areas in Yellowstone National Park
Hemlock Falls, First Watchung Mountain,^[26] South Mountain Reservation, South Orange, New Jersey
South Puyallup River Campsite, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Spokane, Washington (W Airport Dr. onramp)
Stanford Rock, Lake Tahoe, California
Sweetwater Canyon, Madison County, Montana
Toketee Falls, Oregon
Turtleback Mountain, Moultonborough, New Hampshire
Whatcom County, Washington^[27]

Oceania

Australia

Bombo Latite, Bombo, New South Wales
Narooma Basalt, Narooma, New South Wales
Fingal Head, New South Wales
Battery Rock Rest Area, Located on the Golden Highway, 15 kilometres southeast of Merriwa and 19 kilometres northwest of Sandy Hollow on the western side of the highway.^[28] NSW
Sawn Rocks, Mount Kaputar National Park, New South Wales^[29]
Glass House Mountains, Queensland
Burleigh Head National Park, Queensland
Mount Scoria Conservation Park, Thangool, Queensland^[30]
Ben Lomond National Park, Tasmania
Cape Raoul, Tasmania
Ruined Castle, Falls Creek, Victoria^[31]
Organ Pipes National Park, Victoria
Barfold Gorge, Campaspe River, Victoria
Black Point, D'Entrecasteaux National Park, Western Australia
Wyalup-Rocky Point, Bunbury, Western Australia^[32]

Federated States of Micronesia

Pwisehn Malek, Pohnpei, Caroline Islands

New Zealand

South America

Ancud Volcanic Complex, Chile
Mocho Volcano, Chile
Pino Hachado Caldera, Neuquén Province, Argentina
Pedras do Cambira, Apucarana, Brazil

Beyond Earth

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.^[38]

Uses

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.

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

Gallery

Engraving of a basalt formation; from: Alberto Fortis, Della valle vulcanico-marina di Roncà nel territorio veronese (1778)
Basalt rocks on the Hirtstein in the Ore Mountains
The Bühren Organ Pipes
Basalt columns of Porto Santo, Archipelago of Madeira
Garni Gorge, Armenia

References

^ Udinmwen, E; Oden, M.I; Ukwang, E.E; Edu, E.S (2016). "Structural Geometry of Ikom Columnar Basalt in the Ikom – Mamfe Basin, Southeastern Nigeria". www.aiscience.org. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
^ Ntekim, E. E. & Adekeye, J. I. D. (2003). "Petrography and geochemistry of basaltic rocks from the northcentral part of Yola Basin, N.E. Nigeria" (PDF). Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Science. 18: 1430–1437. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
^ Grunert, Nicole (2000). Namibia: Fascination of Geology – A Travel Handbook. Windhoek: Klaus Hess. pp. 73–74. ISBN 99916-747-8-0.
^ Columnar Basaltic Lava, Coconut Island (St. Mary's Islands), Udupi District, Karnataka, Geological Survey of India.
^ "Rare rock formation found in Dewas". The Times of India. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
^ Rare basalt columns found in village in Kolhapur, Business Line, 6 Sept 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Telangana: 6.5 crore-year-old basalt columns discovered in Adilabad forest, Times of India, 9 Aug 2021.
^ Columnar basalt formations found in Asifabad forests in Telangana, Indian Express, 6 June 2022.
^ Po, Kimberly (27 April 2014). "H E L L O ♥ K I M M Y : Dunsulan Falls Of Bataan". Hellowkimmy.blogspot.com.
^ "Bataan Day Trip: Mount Samat and Dunsulan Falls Itinerary". Janegalvez.com. 27 February 2016.
^ "Bulingan Falls". ChoosePhilippines.com. 28 August 2013. Archived from the original on March 19, 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
^ "Мыс Столбчатый". www.webpark.ru. Archived from the original on 2019-04-06. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
^ ม่อนเสาหินพิศวง Wonderful Mountain Of Colunnar Archived 2012-07-17 at archive.today
^ Kölbl-Ebert, Martina; Colicchio, Stéphanie (2014). "The Boyabat Basalt Cliffs" (PDF). l'association de la Maison de la Géologie et de l'Environnement de Haute-Alsace. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
^ "Panská skála". Luzicke-hory.cz. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
^ "PSt04 - Pico de Ana Ferreira". geodiversidade.madeira.gov.pt.
^ Gobierno vasco. "Basaltos de Fruiz" (PDF). Inventario lugares de interés geológico en la comunidad autónoma del País Vasco (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 February 2016.
^ La Gomera: basalt cliffs Los Organos, Commons.wikimedia.org
^ Hazelhurst, S Rennie (22 November 2012). Northumberland. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107677500. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
^ "Jaw-dropping geology from Strumble Head to Cardigan". National Trust. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ Scott, Chris (31 October 2017). "The Grand Canyon of the Arctic Circle". CNN Travel. video by Effie Nidam, Diana Diroy and Chris Scott.
^ "México Travel Club". www.mexicotravelclub.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
^ Callan Bentley (14 November 2011). "Compton Peak: superb columnar jointing". Mountain Beltway. American Geophysical Union (Blog). Retrieved 24 July 2015.
^ "Greenstone lava flows - National Park Service, Shenandoah National Park, Learn About the Park". NPS.gov. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
^ "GeoSights: Paul Bunyan's Woodpile, Juab County – Utah Geological Survey". geology.utah.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
^ [1] Geology of the New York City Regions
^ File:Columnar basalt.jpg (Wikimedia Commons)
^ "Merriwa NSW Free Rest Areas". highwaytraveller.com.au.
^ "Sawn Rocks, Mount Kaputar National Park" (PDF). NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
^ Mount Scoria culture
^ Ruined Castle - Panoramio
^ "Bunbury Basalt". Western Australian Museum. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Black Head : Vegetation Condition After Quarrying" (PDF). Doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
^ "Basalt columns". chathamislands.co.nz. Tourism Chatham Islands. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
^ "New Zealand Tramper - A community for good, keen trampers and hikers". Tramper.nz. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
^ Cameron, E. K.; Wilcox, M. D. (2012). "Paratahi Island, Karekare – revisited" (PDF). Auckland Botanical Society Journal. 67: 60–64.
^ The Pinnacles, Mt Somers on flickr
^ "Mars and Earth: Columnar Jointing". Earthobservatory.nasa.gov. 10 June 2009.

[1] Udinmwen, E; Oden, M.I; Ukwang, E.E; Edu, E.S (2016). "Structural Geometry of Ikom Columnar Basalt in the Ikom – Mamfe Basin, Southeastern Nigeria". www.aiscience.org. Retrieved 2022-06-03.

[Numan-2] Ntekim, E. E. & Adekeye, J. I. D. (2003). "Petrography and geochemistry of basaltic rocks from the northcentral part of Yola Basin, N.E. Nigeria" (PDF). Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Science. 18: 1430–1437. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2016-02-18.

[Twyfelfontein-3] Grunert, Nicole (2000). Namibia: Fascination of Geology – A Travel Handbook. Windhoek: Klaus Hess. pp. 73–74. ISBN 99916-747-8-0.

[4] Columnar Basaltic Lava, Coconut Island (St. Mary's Islands), Udupi District, Karnataka, Geological Survey of India.

[5] "Rare rock formation found in Dewas". The Times of India. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2019.

[6] Rare basalt columns found in village in Kolhapur, Business Line, 6 Sept 2018.

[ad1-7] Telangana: 6.5 crore-year-old basalt columns discovered in Adilabad forest, Times of India, 9 Aug 2021.

[8] Columnar basalt formations found in Asifabad forests in Telangana, Indian Express, 6 June 2022.

[9] Po, Kimberly (27 April 2014). "H E L L O ♥ K I M M Y : Dunsulan Falls Of Bataan". Hellowkimmy.blogspot.com.

[10] "Bataan Day Trip: Mount Samat and Dunsulan Falls Itinerary". Janegalvez.com. 27 February 2016.

[11] "Bulingan Falls". ChoosePhilippines.com. 28 August 2013. Archived from the original on March 19, 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2018.

[12] "Мыс Столбчатый". www.webpark.ru. Archived from the original on 2019-04-06. Retrieved 2013-09-28.

[13] ม่อนเสาหินพิศวง Wonderful Mountain Of Colunnar Archived 2012-07-17 at archive.today

[Sinop1-14] Kölbl-Ebert, Martina; Colicchio, Stéphanie (2014). "The Boyabat Basalt Cliffs" (PDF). l'association de la Maison de la Géologie et de l'Environnement de Haute-Alsace. Retrieved 29 January 2017.

[15] "Panská skála". Luzicke-hory.cz. Retrieved 26 December 2018.

[16] "PSt04 - Pico de Ana Ferreira". geodiversidade.madeira.gov.pt.

[Fruiz2-17] Gobierno vasco. "Basaltos de Fruiz" (PDF). Inventario lugares de interés geológico en la comunidad autónoma del País Vasco (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 February 2016.

[18] La Gomera: basalt cliffs Los Organos, Commons.wikimedia.org

[ntb12-19] Hazelhurst, S Rennie (22 November 2012). Northumberland. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107677500. Retrieved 5 August 2022.

[nattrustpenanglas-20] "Jaw-dropping geology from Strumble Head to Cardigan". National Trust. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[21] Scott, Chris (31 October 2017). "The Grand Canyon of the Arctic Circle". CNN Travel. video by Effie Nidam, Diana Diroy and Chris Scott.

[22] "México Travel Club". www.mexicotravelclub.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.

[ComptonPk-23] Callan Bentley (14 November 2011). "Compton Peak: superb columnar jointing". Mountain Beltway. American Geophysical Union (Blog). Retrieved 24 July 2015.

[24] "Greenstone lava flows - National Park Service, Shenandoah National Park, Learn About the Park". NPS.gov. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2022.

[25] "GeoSights: Paul Bunyan's Woodpile, Juab County – Utah Geological Survey". geology.utah.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-07.

[26] [1] Geology of the New York City Regions

[27] File:Columnar basalt.jpg (Wikimedia Commons)

[28] "Merriwa NSW Free Rest Areas". highwaytraveller.com.au.

[SawnRocks-29] "Sawn Rocks, Mount Kaputar National Park" (PDF). NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 19 February 2016.

[30] Mount Scoria culture

[31] Ruined Castle - Panoramio

[BunburyWA-32] "Bunbury Basalt". Western Australian Museum. Retrieved 6 March 2021.

[Dunedin-33] "Black Head : Vegetation Condition After Quarrying" (PDF). Doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 26 December 2018.

[34] "Basalt columns". chathamislands.co.nz. Tourism Chatham Islands. Retrieved 11 February 2024.

[35] "New Zealand Tramper - A community for good, keen trampers and hikers". Tramper.nz. Retrieved 26 December 2018.

[AucklandBotanical2012-36] Cameron, E. K.; Wilcox, M. D. (2012). "Paratahi Island, Karekare – revisited" (PDF). Auckland Botanical Society Journal. 67: 60–64.

[37] The Pinnacles, Mt Somers on flickr

[38] "Mars and Earth: Columnar Jointing". Earthobservatory.nasa.gov. 10 June 2009.

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List of places with columnar jointed volcanics