Distorted columnar basalt. Many of these formations formed during the natural cooling of basaltic la
Distorted columnar basalt. Many of these formations formed during the natural cooling of basaltic lava resemble organ pipes, but sometimes they come out all wavy. This is due to pressures within the Earth, either while the lava is cooling or as a result of subsequent tectonic movements that distort the normal shape. A dyke (vertical shaped intrusion of magma) has cut through the columns, possibly feeding a later eruption from a now eroded vent that once overlaid the older cooled basalt (the dark grey line running from the centre to bottom right of the photo), and the fact that is has also been distorted implies that the distorting pressures happened after the first magma cooled. Loz Image credit: Frequent Traveller -- source link
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