Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is not only the largest monolithic rock in the world, but also the oldest among such monoliths. She is approximately 680 million years old. And it is located almost in the middle of Australia - in the state of the Northern Territory, near the city of Alice Springs.
This huge sandstone stone has simply incredible dimensions: almost 350 meters in height and nine kilometers in girth.
And this is not the most surprising! Tourists are attracted here by the remarkable ability of Mount Uluru to change color depending on how the sun's rays fall on it.
In the mornings, when dawn comes, the rock is painted in dark purple tones, but by noon its color becomes golden, then orange, more and more acquiring terracotta notes. By sunset, Ayers Rock darkens again, plunging into gray-brown tones. Sometimes the color of the rock turns out to be closer to blue and blue hues.
And although such a play of light is not uncommon for mountains at all (just look at the paintings of Nicholas Roerich to be convinced of the bizarre coloring of mountain landscapes), but Uluru amazes with such changes because it stands alone in the middle of a huge desert plain, with which nothing like this happens .
Of course, scientists have often thought about where a huge monolith could come from in the middle of such a flat landscape. Various versions were put forward, up to the celestial origin of the rock: a meteorite crashed into the desert, remaining there forever.
However, a more plausible theory claims that Ayers Rock is the surviving link of the most ancient mountain range, named after the famous German cartographer Petermann. Over millions of years, the rock has been weathered, and only a monolithic rock has been able to resist for so long, however, it has undergone significant erosion, acquiring a rounded shape.
Naturally, the rock carried around by the wind has not gone anywhere from the mainland. It turned into small stones and grains of sand, distributed evenly over the entire plateau, and the ridge seemed to “drown” in them, leaving the very top, which now looks little different from the ancient volcanic rock outcrops. Size, anyway. Such monoliths are called remnants by geologists.
The natives of the Anangu tribe, who have lived here since ancient times, consider the rock sacred. They gave her the name Uluru. When linguists tried to find out what this word means in translation from the language of the local population, it turned out that apart from this rock itself, it does not mean anything else, but it is still found among them as a human name.
But with the second name Ayers Rock, everything is much simpler. So, in honor of the then governor of South Australia, Henry Ayers, the mountain was named by William Goss, a British explorer who was the first European to climb the summit of Uluru and compiled detailed description rocks. And this is how this miracle of nature was officially called until the 70s of the 20th century, when, after numerous appeals from local residents, the authorities returned the mountain to its original name.
Well, let's get closer to the rock. On its slopes you can see numerous furrows and almost round deep potholes. According to the ancient legend of the natives, the latter are nothing more than the traces of a giant dog Kura-Punya. She left them as she approached the hunters' camp, who in a few minutes were to become the prey of a house-sized predatory dog themselves.
However, the hunters were saved by a suddenly screaming kookaburra. This is such an Australian bird, which is also called the laughing kingfisher, because its cry resembles human laughter. And, thanks to the voice of this bird, people managed to hide from the gigantic predator. Apparently, they have a kookaburra, like we have a magpie: if something goes wrong, they will immediately warn you.
But even the legend explains only the presence of dents on the slopes. And it still remains unclear who so evenly outlined the entire rock with parallel furrows? The depth of the furrows reaches two meters, and this relief is considered unique. However, there is something similar much closer to us - in the Ukrainian steppe, in the Kamennye Mohyly nature reserve, which was described in the previous post.
There is something that Ayers Rock has in common with an amazing Russian landmark - Sin-Kamem. This is the already mentioned ability of the mountain to change color with the weather. This feature played an important role that both natural attractions have long been places of religious worship.
However, the veneration of Mount Uluru by the natives can also be explained from a utilitarian point of view. If we take into account the aridity of the climate in Australia in general, and even more so in the desert area, located far from the coast, it becomes clear why the mountain, which provided shade and moisture, began to be considered sacred.
Moreover, in the rock there are not only caves where you can immerse yourself in coolness, but also underground lakes, fed by rainwater penetrating through cracks and keys. And everyone knows what value water has in the desert.
Today, Ayers Rock is the official property of the Aboriginals, leased to the authorities, for which local tribes receive 20 percent of the cost of entrance tickets to national park plus 75 thousand dollars annually. At the same time, although the natives put up with what is happening, they still consider it sacrilege for tourists to climb to the top.
It was the punishment of higher powers that they explained that in the past, curious travelers periodically fell off when climbing and even crashed to death. However, today in the most dangerous places metal railings were installed, and the number of falls from the cliff was reduced to almost zero.
True, at the same time, almost every year, one of the tourists who swung to conquer the summit dies of a heart attack. And this can be explained mystically. But it's probably more reasonable to say that the two-hour climb under scorching sun it is better not to do it without minimal physical preparation, and even more so without wearing a headdress that protects from the sun normally and if there are any problems with the heart.
And so, if you are not superstitious, you can safely rush to the top, from where an unforgettable view of the endless desert opens.
Unlike mountains, rocks are not covered or only slightly, with rare exceptions, are covered with vegetation, among which mosses and lichens predominate. In fact, these are boulders with steep slopes and all kinds of ledges. Like many other geological formations, nature created them over millions of years, thanks to which they received the most incredible outlines, and sometimes colors, so there is something to see here.
Protruding above the sea or the valley, the rocks form landscapes of absolutely incredible beauty. Among them there are those that can outshine the most fantastic scenery. These 9 rock formations are a vivid example of the fact that the most skilled craftsman is nature itself.
Coastal cliffs washed by the waters Atlantic Ocean, stretched along the coast for 8 km. In different areas, the height of the rocks varies from 120 to 214 meters. It is believed that the cliffs were formed over 300 million years ago. These "stone giants" offer a truly stunning view, which attracts more than 1 million tourists every year.
White Cliffs of Dover, UK
framing coastline The cliffs of the Pas de Calais are part of the North Downs. The height of the rocks reaches 107 meters. They are composed of chalk and flint, thanks to which they can be seen from the French Cape Gris-Ne, and among sailors they have won fame as a symbol of the coast of England.
Preikestolen, Norway
A giant cliff rises above the Lysefjord. The height of the rock formation is 604 meters. Its top is a natural observation platform, with an area of approximately 25 by 25 meters. A magnificent view opens up from the cliff, from which even seasoned tourists are breathtaking.
Cliff of Cabo Girao, Portugal
This steep rock is on south coast the island of Madeira. Cabo Girao is considered the second largest cliff in the world. Its height is 589 meters. At the top of the cliff, there is an observation deck that provides tourists with the opportunity to "soar" above the ocean.
Kalopapa, Hawaii
At the northern tip of Molokai, on the Kalopapa peninsula, one of the most scenic spots in Hawaii - Kalopapa National Historical Park. One of the pearls of the park are sea cliffs over 1000 meters high. They can only be reached on foot or on horseback. For the efforts made, tourists will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the surrounding landscapes and the endless Pacific Ocean.
Peak Thor, Canada
This granite peak is recognized as the highest vertical slope in the world. It is located in Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island. The height of the peak is 1250 meters and the slope of the wall is 105 degrees.
Half Dome, USA
The rock rises 1450 meters above Yosemite Valley. Consists of a monolith of granite. Half Dome is one of the largest monoliths in the world. North America, and its image is often used by various organizations as a logo. The view of the Half Dome is also printed on driver's licenses issued by the state of California.
Etretat, France
The rocks of Etretat have become the hallmark of the town of the same name. Their height ranges from 80 to 120 meters. Nature carved several unique arches into them. Due to the extraordinary whiteness of the chalk rocks, the rocks can be seen far out to sea.
Grand Canyon, USA
Without this natural attraction, the list of incredible rock formations would be incomplete. The canyon on the Colorado Plateau is a real time machine, where you can travel through several geological periods at once. In the canyon, 446 km long, there are "traces" of four geological eras of the Earth.
For 10 million years of its creation, nature has formed a gorge up to 1800 meters deep, filled with clusters of cliffs of the most incredible shapes and colors. best view on them opens with a glass observation deck « sky path”, protruding beyond the edges of the canyon by 20 meters and rising above it at a height of 1220 meters.
The tallest vertical rock in the world
Here we have already considered the highest blank wall near skyscrapers, here it is - The highest blank wall in the world, and now let's move on to natural objects.
Mount Thor ( official name Thor Peak is a granite peak recognized as the highest vertical slope in the world. The slope is located in the Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island (Canada). The height of the peak is 1250 meters and the slope of the wall is 105 degrees.
Take a look and learn more about it...
The height of the peak reaches 1250 m, and the slope of the wall is 105 degrees. For comparison, for example, the Burj Khalifa reaches a height of 828 meters, the Eiffel Tower - 324 meters, the CN Tower - 553 meters, and the Empire State Building - 381 meters.
Mount Thor, of course, is not the most high mountain in the world, but, despite the rather remote location, it is very popular among numerous climbers, thrill-seekers who come to this place to overcome a difficult climbing route, listen to the sound of a blizzard and merge with pristine nature.
Thor Peak is made of granite and is part of the Baffin mountain range, which in turn is part of the majestic Arctic Cordillera mountain range. Mount Thor is Canada's most popular peak.
The first to summit the slope were members of the Alpine Club of Canada. It happened in 1965 under the guidance of the famous climber Pat Baird. And in the summer of 2006, with the help of special climbing equipment, the first successful descents from the steep slope of Mount Tor were carried out.
The most favorable months for climbing Thor Peak are July and August. Conquest is impossible without good preparation and a serious approach. Successful climbing requires experience, special equipment and also do not underestimate the importance of logistics and good weather conditions.
Monolithic rocks are natural formations, which are few on planet Earth. By visiting them during the upcoming summer vacation, you will learn a lot of interesting things about the past of the Earth and what awaits our planet in the future.
Uluru (Ayers)
Uluru (Ayers) is located in Australia, a rock is located three hundred and thirty-five kilometers from the city of Alice Springs, this is the largest monolith in the world, consisting of sandstone. The rock constantly changes its color depending on its lighting, so at sunset (Ayers) it becomes purple, or blue and fiery red in the morning at sunrise.
Torres del Paine (translated: Three Blue Towers) has also received a national park in Chile, where the rocks are located. The park is located in the southern part of the Patagonia region. The rocks are located in the central part of the park and are one of its attractions. Pine's three granite towers were formed during the Ice Age by a combination of a large number natural factors. According to scientists, it was glacial ice that played a key role in the formation of three giant monolithic granite needles. The highest monolith has a height of two thousand meters above the surface of the plain and two thousand eight hundred and fifty meters above sea level. In 1959, the park was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Rock of Gibraltar or Mount Tarika
The Rock of Gibraltar is 426 meters high. The monolith is located in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula in the Strait of Gibraltar. There is a rock on the territory of Gibraltar - this is overseas territory United Kingdom. The Rock of Gibraltar is one of the Pillars of Hercules. In antiquity, this concept was used to refer to the hills framing the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The rock consists of limestone, the rock is quite porous, for this reason the rock is gradually destroyed under the influence of natural factors, water, wind and temperature changes. It is noteworthy that a species of Barbary macaques lives on the rock, naturally, this place is a protected area, and to visit it, you must obtain an appropriate permit. This species of primates is the only one in Europe.
Peña de Bernal is one of the largest monoliths in the world. In translation, the name of the monolith means "Bernal Peak". The monolithic rock is located in Mexico in the state of Queretaro. The height of the rock is three hundred and fifty meters above the surrounding area and two thousand five hundred and ten meters above sea level. Experts say that the monolith was formed about a hundred million years ago during the Jurassic period.
El captain
El Capitan is one of the largest monoliths in North America and is located in Yosemite National Park in California, USA. The top of the mountain is nine hundred and ten meters above Yosemite Valley and two thousand three hundred and seven meters above sea level. The rock consists mainly of granite, on the eastern slope of El Capitan there is a waterfall, the name of which reflects its shape "Horse Tail". The rock is very popular among climbers and tourists. The first ascent to the top of the mountain took place in 1958 and lasted forty-seven days. Currently using modern equipment allows you to climb in a matter of hours. Base jumping founder Carl Boenisch made his first jump from El Capitan. This event took place in 1978.
Monolith Ben Amer is located in Mauritania, it is located in the middle of a sandy desert, away from tourist routes. The height of the cliff is four hundred meters above the surface of the plain, it consists of a monolith of black granite. Despite the fact that its height is only four hundred meters, in terms of its total size, the monolith ranks second in the world.
Devil's Tower
The height of the cliff is three hundred eighty-six meters above the surrounding area. The tower is located in the United States in northeastern Wyoming, in Crook County. Devil's Tower was declared by US President Roosevelt national monument USA. This event took place in 1906, became the largest national monument that exists in the United States of America. The mountain gained worldwide fame after one film after another began to be released, in which the Devil's Tower appeared in the background. The tower became especially famous after Steven Spielberg made a film next to the tower and himself played one of the main roles in 1977. The monolith has an unusually regular shape. Because of this, for a long time it was believed that this is an artificial structure. But who could create man-made pyramid three hundred and eighty meters high two hundred million years ago, and it was during this period, according to scientists, that the tower appeared. It was decided to attribute the creation of the tower to the creations of the devil. Scientific research has proven that the tower is a monolith of volcanic origin.
What is the highest rock in the world? What is its height and where is it located?
- This is Urulu Rock in Australia. The 3.6 km long rocky ridge rises 348 meters above the bushy valley, looks like a frying pan in the very center of the country, and looks best at sunset, when the rocks turn red. Uluru is a site of great cultural significance for the Anangu Aboriginals and Australia's most famous symbol. Anangu consider it a saint and forbid idle people to climb on it. Millions of people have visited the mountain since the 1940s. Most visitors do show respect for the rock. The pilgrimage to Uluru and the skirmish at the top were an indispensable attribute of the Aboriginal cults, and now the Aboriginal people are protesting against tourists climbing to the top of this rock, and many respect this desire.
Wikipedia says that Uluru#769; (Ayers Rock) is an oval-shaped rock formed about 680 million years ago. Located in the heart of Australia, 450 km from the city of Alice Springs. The height of the rock is 348 meters, the length is 3.6 km, the width is about 3 km. The base is carved with caves, decorated with ancient rock paintings and carvings.
Ayers Rock or Ayers Rock is the second name given to the stone by the white inhabitants of Australia in honor of one of their prime ministers, Sir Henry Ayers. But still, the mountain is known throughout the world by the name given to it by the natives of the Green Continent.
Uluru is a monolith, or boulder, or stone. And this stone is the largest in the world. From a distance, Uluru looks very smooth, but close up, irregularities, cracks and furrows are clearly visible on the surface, after all, and 680 million years behind
The stone is dotted with irregularities and a harsh, sharply continental climate. Although the rock is located in the middle of the desert, hurricanes hit the region every year, bringing heavy rains. The desert climate is characterized by temperature fluctuations: the nights are cold here, up to 5 C, and the midday heat goes off scale over 30 C.
In general, tourists began to visit this place only in 1950, after the completion of the construction of the trans-Australian highway through the desert, in which Uluru is located. After 20 years, the number of tourists from all over the world has increased to 20 thousand a year, and today it has reached half a million.
Since 1985, Uluru has officially belonged to the Anangu tribe, whose leaders, don't be fools, leased the stone to the Australian government for a period of 99 years to use as national park. The annual rental fee is 75 thousand dollars plus 20% of each entrance ticket, and, we recall, about 500,000 of them are sold. their sacred path. Unfortunately, tourists, whom the anangu call minga (black ants), do not always behave in a civilized manner and pollute the territory adjacent to Ayers Rock. Heat The air and the slippery surface make a two-hour climb up the mountain an unsafe journey: tourists die here every year as a result of falls, heart attacks and sunstroke. The natives hope that over time visitors will admire them. ancient mountain from the side, without feeling the need to climb to the top. - Himalaya, Everest peak height is about 10000 meters.
- The highest rocky cliff called Bols Pyramid is located near about. Lord Howe's pacific ocean. With a height of 561 m, it is only 200 m across at the base.
