Basalt Columns

The island of Staff off the Isle of Mull is composed of basalt. Cooling on the upper and lower surfaces of the solidified lava resulted in contraction and fracturing, starting in a blocky tetragonal pattern and transitioning to a regular hexagonal fracture pattern with fractures perpendicular to the cooling surfaces. As cooling continued these cracks gradually extended toward the centre of the flow, forming the long hexagonal columns we see in the wave-eroded cross-section today. Similar hexagonal fracture patterns are found in desiccation cracks in mud where contraction is due to loss of water instead of cooling

[sally agnew]

A fascinating geological formation, thank you for sharing the narrative :)

[Jennifer]

so interesting and effective

[julia]

Amazing .. the rigth side looks like stacks of firewood.. amazing site

[4rky]

These columns are so cool! Love the clouds and colours as well.
Fab shot :)

[Maggiemae]

You need to have a geologist to tag along with you!

[Dawn]

A lovely shot specially like the sunlight on top of column

[Henri Russell]

This is really interesting. Nice composition.

[Milanie]

What interesting lighting and such a neat looking spot.

[Diana]

Fabulous textures and tones. You certainly are getting around ;-)

[Margo]

Amazing fav

[Paul]

Loving the textures and colours here. Nice cloud too :-)