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Litlanesfoss, Iceland [990x742] (images.nationalgeographic.com)

submitted ago by DFGdanger

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[–]A_British_Gentleman 64 points65 points ago

Whoa, I never knew Iceland had a similar formation to the Giant's Causeway. I guess it makes sense with the volcanic activity there.

[–]kmand 38 points39 points ago

If you go there, Iceland is chock full of them. In fact, columnar basalt, as it's called, is quite common around the world in areas with basaltic volcanism. It forms when solidified basalt cools slowly and wants to shrink.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_places_with_columnar_basalt

[–]frenzyboard 30 points31 points ago

Awww. I wanted to be the one who mentioned basalt.

[–]phlamez92 10 points11 points ago

I know that feel bro. That was gonna be my thing. :(

[–]cjrwil 6 points7 points ago

columnar jointing is surprisingly common in lots of various locations, and they dont just form in lavas. I have worked on columnar jointed ignimbrites in the lake district, uk. more often than not, however, they are not as well formed as those in the picture above.

[–]A_British_Gentleman 3 points4 points ago

May I ask what this work is? It sounds interesting!

[–]cjrwil 0 points1 point ago

It was for my undergraduate geology degree. If you like working in sweet places I'd recommend it (but you have to like rocks and the rain)

[–]nameofthisuser 1 point2 points ago

Makes me feel a bit less special living in Antrim :(

[–]Mrs337 -1 points0 points ago

Looks like it's formed similarly to the Devil's Tower, too. Kool.

[–]QuintinT 37 points38 points ago

Those are the coolest rock formations

[–]guninmouth 30 points31 points ago

Basalt pillars.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt

[–]Goldmattress 6 points7 points ago

Because Iceland has basaltic volcanoes, like Hawaii.

[–]Ramensauce 2 points3 points ago

I wonder what the molecular structure of those bad-boys look like

[–]pyx 4 points5 points ago

Basalt is combination of minerals (plagioclase, pyroxenes, olivine, various oxides), so the molecular structure would be dependent on the mineralogy of the rock - so you can't say "hey, this whole rock is SiO2" - that would make it a mineral (quartz in that case). The mineral composition of the rock is dependent on the source rock, surrounding area, temperature, and a number of other factors. Basalts can be quite varied.

So if you wanted to see the molecular structure of a basalt, you would be looking at the molecular structure of its constituent minerals.

[–]Ramensauce 0 points1 point ago

interesting. thanks for the response. Would it be a safe guess to say these columns have similar structure/composition that gives them the fourish-fivish sided appearance?

[–]pyx 1 point2 points ago

Those columns are from a flood eruption of basaltic lava. I don't know the specifics, but I know that the columnar jointing is a result of how the basalt cooled. I think it is a similar mechanism to how mud cracks are formed. There are many famous columnar basalt formations all over the world. Probably the most known to the layman is Devil's Tower in Wyoming.

The way mud cracks form is related as well. When some things are dessicated or cooled they shrink leaving cracks, often in polygonal forms. I found an interesting paper discussing it. (not published in a peer reviewed journal, some woman's Master's thesis)

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]pyx 3 points4 points ago

They are called columnar joints or columnar basalts, I have never heard them called long basalts. Where are you that they are called long basalts?

[–]Tranecarid 114 points115 points ago

I am suspicious on the Iceland location. The name is too short and pronounceable.

[–]Cadamar 21 points22 points ago

Not gonna lie, I saw this and wondered if OP was missing some Js or Ys.

Could be it's just actually pronounced "Cool."

[–]morisnov 7 points8 points ago

I didn't look at the title and thought it was Brier island NS. there is a similar place there, but you have to time your hike right or else the tide will come in and you will be trapped on small juts of rock with blackberry bushes all around.

[–]moammargandalfi 1 point2 points ago

personal experience?

[–]morisnov 4 points5 points ago

Yeah, and when I tried to hike across land, braving the brambles, I was met with a shotgun and a man saying "get off my land I said sorry and went back to my rock to wait for the tide. I was with 4 other people all of us had large backcountry packs on. It was probably possible but I didn't want to risk it with the heavy packs on. There are parts where you either have to cross on seaweed covered rocks or jump a 10 foot gap with a fall to the rocks and pounding surf below. The tides can be very drastic and fast moving since it is the bay of fundy. Still is one of my favorite/most challenging hikes to do, I was on my bronze duke of Edinburgh expedition when this happened.

edit:writing on galaxy note with stylus random autocorrect.

[–]dlpwillywonka 0 points1 point ago

Did you offer to pay the man for the use of his property?

[–]morisnov 2 points3 points ago

In ns there are several laws that would have protected our being on his land but I wasn't going to argue pedantics with a guy with a gun. He didn't have any no trespassing signs and we were allowed to navigate to crown land, in case of distress(I call being stranded a 2hr hike from camp for ~6hrs a good cause to make the 2.5km trek to public lands overy private property). I notified the cops that come to the island once every 1 or 2 days what happened and I have noticed he has no trespassing signs up now.

[–]mindrover 3 points4 points ago

Yeah, it should look more like these

[–]WcJessen 32 points33 points ago

The shapes make me want to play Catan.

[–]phlamez92 7 points8 points ago

They remind of that one place in Runescape where you had to hop across a basalt formation to get somewhere. I forgot why and where though. Haven't played in ages.

[–]Melodicon 0 points1 point ago

Barbarian village or barbarian point or something.

You hop up to a lighthouse.

[–]WcJessen -1 points0 points ago

Damn I wish they still made Runescape! And there's really nothing out there like it : (

[–]awesomemanftw 4 points5 points ago

they do still make runescape...

[–]WcJessen 4 points5 points ago

Ooops! Wrong game. I was thinking of an old tabletop RPG I used to play that had hex spaces. /embarrassed

[–]Tannz0rz 3 points4 points ago

Heroscape.

[–]awesomemanftw 2 points3 points ago

Settlers of Catan? They still make that too...

[–]WcJessen 3 points4 points ago

Sorry I don't remember the name. Heroscape perhaps? It's been a long time.

[–]FuckinWalkinParadox 0 points1 point ago

HEROSCAPE. damn that was the shit. they discontinued it?

shit

[–]WcJessen 0 points1 point ago

Yeah it's expensive as shit now. I'm actually in the process of making my own miniature environments and such.

[–]FuckinWalkinParadox 0 points1 point ago

http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Heroscape-Master-Set-Valkyrie/dp/B0001ITVZQ

what the hell? $180? i had this who set AND MORE as a kid and my mom got rid of it all, i think... FUCK FUCK FUUUUUCK

[–]phlamez92 1 point2 points ago

It's also a very fun game!

[–]MrCandlestick 11 points12 points ago

In case anyone was curious, litla= little, foss= waterfall. Sadly, as an Icelander I haven't seen this one yet. I need to get around and explore this beautiful country.

[–]ThisIsDK 9 points10 points ago

<Myst III Amateria Age reference>

[–]oscursos 8 points9 points ago

<Image reply for the lazy>

[–]bytor_2112 7 points8 points ago

what I first thought of

[–]musketeer925 3 points4 points ago

Heroscape, to save some of you clicking a link.

[–]anthony2301 1 point2 points ago

Should be cross posted to /r/heroscape :)

[–]daedalus733 0 points1 point ago

I'm sad that that's so small :(

[–]kc8 5 points6 points ago

I was there 3 weeks ago, Iceland is really wonderful! This one (as the near Hengifoss) are quite stunning falls. Basalt rock seem unreal!

[–]Chromozorz 4 points5 points ago

It's not just the names which are similar between Ireland and Iceland - we've got the same kind of columns too :)

[–]PaleOfBucket 3 points4 points ago

And Scotland as well. This is because we are all originally from the north.

[–]nuggerjoe 3 points4 points ago

Anyone else think of the island that Lex Luthor creates in Superman Returns?

[–]Androidify21 0 points1 point ago

My first thought as well. I expected this to be the top comment.

[–]henners91 19 points20 points ago

Minecraft is real!

[–]ospeltz 5 points6 points ago

The rock formations remind me of the Devil's Postpile in California.

[–]pyx 3 points4 points ago

As well they should, they are essentially the same thing.

[–]goldentech 5 points6 points ago

That is some sexy pillar basalts. Like, damn. I just geologized in my pants.

[–]MerkZuckerberg 2 points3 points ago

Is this where they filmed the opening scene of Prometheus?

[–]elj4176 1 point2 points ago

I think that was @ Dettifoss

[–]Trihorn 2 points3 points ago

If you are looking for this and more in Iceland ask for "stuðlaberg" which is what we call these basalt pillars.

Pronounciation guide: St-hu-th-la-be-rg

[–]Kungfucheez 1 point2 points ago

TIL apparently we all live in a video game world

[–]skipow 2 points3 points ago

very devil's postpile-ish in CA... http://i.imgur.com/T0p49.jpg

[–]funkywalrus 1 point2 points ago

Qbert?

[–]ForestGnome4 1 point2 points ago

Dat Cleavage.

[–]overused-meme-alert -3 points-2 points ago

Dat Cleavage.

ding ding ding

.

[–]pyx -2 points-1 points ago

Basalt doesn't have cleavage.

[–]ForestGnome4 -1 points0 points ago

Actually, all rocks have cleavage or fracture. Fracture being the lack of cleavage. In this case we are looking at the joint columnar fracture, caused by cooling and contraction.

Now, this particular rock is displaying a magnificent example of non-chonchoidal fracture.

this is where things get fuzzy. Cleavage is defined by the a rocks tendency to break in uniform directions. For identification purposes, this often goes right down to the weakness in the atomic bonds which are laid out in finite patterns. these are the patterns that dictate the shape of crystals.

However, this particular example, although not caused by atomic weakness, is a direct example of a rock splitting in uniform directions. Therefor, i use the term cleavage.

Edit: Also there a plenty of basaltic compounds that have true crystalline cleavage, such as basaltic hornblende.

for all intensive defining purposes, you would not call this cleavage. since we know it's joint columnar basalt however, defining it is not an issue and i am more than allowed to comment on the uniform direction of rock separation.

[–]pyx -1 points0 points ago

I feel like you are disagreeing and agreeing with me in that comment.

All rocks do not have cleavage. Like the basalt in the OP, doesn't have cleavage. That's what I said. No cleavage, it is fracture. If you smashed up this basalt you would not have like pieces from any kind of cleavage plane. The processes that formed the hexagonal columns has nothing to do with cleavage planes, or mineral weakness; it is a physical process related to cooling (or dessicating when talking about mud cracks) and contraction.

Also, it is intents and purposes, not intensive purposes.

[–]ForestGnome4 -1 points0 points ago

I said no, this is not technically cleavage, cleavage is the tendancy to break in uniform direction decided by the crystalline structure.

I made a joke on the internet about rocks having uniform structure even though it was not crystalline, you just need to unclench your asshole and remember you're on the internet, not your midterm finals. jesus christ.

[–]Cornuodus 1 point2 points ago

Absolutely stunning columnar fracturing! Waterfall makes it!

[–]chocolate_homunculus 1 point2 points ago

Iceland? Damn, guess it would be to cold to swim in then.

[–]leondz 0 points1 point ago

Glacier melt is cold in Italy too

[–]cultmember 0 points1 point ago

Could at least get your feet wet.

[–]chocolate_homunculus 0 points1 point ago

Yeah I could probably build up the courage.

[–]Jormvattnet 0 points1 point ago

why does the falling water look so weird?

[–]geologiser 2 points3 points ago

A longer exposure time for the camera shutter gives that effect.

[–]gvwondk -1 points0 points ago

Beehives.

[–]dimewise -1 points0 points ago

Waterfall looks photoshoped

[–]mostrelevantusername -1 points0 points ago

Minecraft IRL. I want to go to there.

[–]eslice 1 point2 points ago

r/geologyporn

[–]AffablePenguin 0 points1 point ago

There's a level in the Brave video game that looks JUST like this! Absolutely stunning!!

[–]feltman -1 points0 points ago

Q-Bert?

[–]Generalosity 0 points1 point ago

You see folks, what global warming has done to the Fortress of Solitude?

[–]artichoke_heart 0 points1 point ago

Did you see any fairies?

[–]bmores8 -1 points0 points ago

The more I see in r/earthporn the more I hate the city

[–]UnsightlyBastard 0 points1 point ago

I feel like I should be playing some sort of table top game on it...

[–]ginger_guy 0 points1 point ago

earthbenders. btw what causes this formation?

[–]Crystillictorment 1 point2 points ago

Every time I see a new picture of Iceland I become even more resolved that I must travel to it soon.

[–]elj4176 1 point2 points ago

It is well worth the trip. Even if you just travel the ring road you will see a lot of great stuff.

[–]kittenluver 0 points1 point ago

i made this picture my wallpaper after i saw it on reddit a month ago...

[–]rawfan 0 points1 point ago

karmadecay doesn't find it. do you have a better resolution of this image?

[–]brosenfeld 0 points1 point ago

Bees are getting sophisticated with their hives.

[–]wanabeswordsman 0 points1 point ago

Posting just about anything from NatGeo is totally cheating, by the way. Awesome pic, though.

[–]krystopher 0 points1 point ago

The rocks... They're like TIBERIUM from CNC3, from the red zones! Wondrous Glow!

[–]DrNoDoze 0 points1 point ago

I have been playing too much minecraft.

[–]Shishish 0 points1 point ago

This is one of those kinda pictures that made me stop breathing for a second out of wonder. It's gorgeous.

[–]desitheredhead 0 points1 point ago

WHOA.

[–]cultmember 0 points1 point ago

Imgur link, just in case.

[–]jpjamo 0 points1 point ago

Reminds me of the Giants Causeway

[–]billiarddaddy 0 points1 point ago

This reminds me of a scene from Superman Returns when Luthor creates the kryptonite continent.

[–]Mignion 0 points1 point ago

This is incredible! Reminds me a bit of Minecraft. What exactly makes the rocks look like that? I've heard it has something to do with volcanic activity?

[–]FuckinWalkinParadox -1 points0 points ago

such a good render dude. how long did this take? what software do you use?

[–]Rush21 0 points1 point ago

Holy Hexagons batman!

[–]KeeSe 0 points1 point ago

Guild Wars 2 jumping puzzle IRL! If I look closely enough I swear I can make out a vista at the top there..

[–]ALG70 0 points1 point ago

Heroscape

[–]Potss 0 points1 point ago

repost

[–]Scaredtofart 0 points1 point ago

Lies...thats Qbert!

[–]NinthNova 1 point2 points ago

Hex tiles can mess up some range calculations and are hard to resolve flanking. The DM really should have stuck with the ol' gridmap.

[–]RaxL 0 points1 point ago

Awesome. We should get some rich people to level one side and build a huge resort there.

<End Sarcasm]

[–]stivinladria 0 points1 point ago

Finally! A photograph of Iceland I hadn't seen yet.

[–]Milhouse_is_a_meme 0 points1 point ago

TIL Iceland is tile-based.

[–]ClarKENt10 0 points1 point ago

It looks like Krypton from the Superman movies!

[–]aixelsdi 0 points1 point ago

What's with the insane number of upvotes this post has?

[–]erlingsi 0 points1 point ago

cute

[–]baileyjbarnes 0 points1 point ago

This look like real-life minecraft.

[–]shaftm 1 point2 points ago

dats sum Columnar basalt!

[–]shitler420 -2 points-1 points ago

ctrl f - minecraft

WE DID IT REDDIT

[–]Melnorme -2 points-1 points ago

@!#?@!

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