Basalt Columns in Svartifoss... by KarmaSong

Photography • Landscape • posted on Sep 04, 2008

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Description

These columns are part of an imposing basaltic vault surrounding the Svartifoss waterfall, located in Skaftafell National Park in the south of Iceland. I'll post the general view some other time probably. For more general info about what basalt columns are, here are what Wikipedia says about them:

"During the cooling of a thick lava flow, contractional joints or fractures form. If a flow cools relatively rapidly, significant contraction forces build up. While a flow can shrink in the vertical dimension without fracturing, it cannot easily accommodate shrinking in the horizontal direction unless cracks form. The extensive fracture network that develops results in the formation of columns. The topology of the lateral shapes of these columns can broadly be classed as a random cellular network. These structures are often erroneously described as being predominantly hexagonal. In reality, the mean number of sides of all the columns in such a structure is indeed six (by geometrical definition), but polygons with three to twelve or more sides can be observed. Note that the size of the columns depends loosely on the rate of cooling; very rapid cooling may result in very small columns, while slow cooling is more likely to produce large columns."

Have a nice day everyone, and more especially all friends and visitors who left their precious comments on my previous post here. Thank you very much for your support...BTW,full-size is best!

Comments (63)

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photostar

8:51AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

You always manage to find some of the most interesting natural wonders to photograph. These look so alien. Thanks for the narrative, as well.

BorisB

8:52AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

The nature is so "creative", excellent presentation!!

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Alz2008

9:03AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Wonderful capture and texture, Excellent well done.

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grafikeer

9:09AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Great abstract representation...a very creative capture!

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Corwin13

9:11AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Fascinating nature! Excellent shot!

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hipps13

9:14AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

awesome capture warm hug, Linda

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danob

9:26AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Wonderful I saw similar ones in the Giants Causeway .. Nature is full of awe inspiring creations!

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flora-crassella

9:50AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

… the stone is very beautiful! (I “love” stones of all kinds!) Very beautiful photo!!!

MrsLubner

9:56AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

We have an area in the northern area of California called the Devil's Post Pile and it is just this sort of thing. Its incredibly interesting. This is a wonderful shot that shows the amazing construction of these columns.

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Tanglimara

10:16AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Fascinating picture of one of natures glories. Tony.

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virginiese

10:18AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Je n'ai jamais observé un tel phénomène mais c'est magnifique à voir. Tu as dû être ravi ! Une très belle texture et une superbe photographie. Merci Jean-Luc ! Bises Virginie

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Darkwish

10:27AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Wonderful work! Really great pic! 5

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magnus073

10:42AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Very nice capture Jean-Luc and THANK YOU for the detailed explanation of what they are. Now I hope you will post the general view also soon.

lucindawind

11:00AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

wow these are fantastic !!!

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furuta

11:05AM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Wonderful image and detailed explanation. excellent!!

Realm_Of_Illusion

12:02PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

This is really cool and done in such a way that no matter how hard I look I see a painting, not a photo...! Very nice :)

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rainbows

12:17PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Makes for a superb abstract. Wonderful work, dear Jean-Luc. Bisous. Diane. xx

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emmecielle

12:47PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Exceptional photo! :)

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DarkStormCrow

12:57PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Nice work!

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carlx

12:58PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Fantastic colors, details and textures!!!

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CavalierLady

1:07PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Fascinating, I have never seen anything like this!

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e-brink

1:08PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Interesting feature. It makes a fascinating image.

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Margana

1:11PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Wonderful tones and textures in this capture, Jean-Luc. I've been enjoying these shots of yours. They're all beautiful. So nice to see you posting! -M :^)

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novelist

2:27PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Gorgeous photo of an interesting phenomenon. What an amazing part of the world you see. This could be an abstract as well as a landscape. Either way, great textures and colors, light and shadow. A classy presentation. Nice font for the title, too. If it's your handwriting then . . . nice handwriting!

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lizzibell

2:31PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Beautiful capture...

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mtc

2:35PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Superbe et impressionnant. An amazing image.

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MarciaGomes

2:46PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

INCRIVEL FOTO MEU AMIGO ACHEI MUITO INTERESANTE A NARRAÇÃO.+++++++++++++5

M2A

4:42PM | Thu, 04 September 2008

Les couleurs et la lumière donnent une magnifique texture. On a l' impression d' une fine pellicule de bronze et d' argent par endroit. Cet effet est trés bien capté et rendu ! A force de fixer le "monument" on s' attendrait presque à le voir s' élever en un être de pierre !! Cool : D

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