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Balancing rock
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<h2 id="categories">Categories</h2> <p>Types of feature that the term has been applied to include: </p> <a href="/facts/Glacial_erratic/khhXAKN5">Glacial erratic</a> A boulder that was transported and deposited by glaciers or ice rafts to a resting place on soil, on bedrock, or on other boulders. It usually has a different <a href="/facts/Lithology/WLIJXzGj">lithology</a> from the other rocks around it. Not all glacial erratics are balancing rocks; some are firmly seated on the ground. Some balancing erratics have come to be known as <a href="/facts/Rocking_stone/TQq3FGLz">rocking stones</a>, also known as logan rocks, logan stones, or logans, because they are so finely balanced that the application of just a small force may cause them to rock or sway. A good example of a rocking stone is the <a href="/facts/Logan_Rock/CK4vrzTk">Logan Rock</a> in <a href="/facts/Cornwall%2c_England/9A3TftFP">Cornwall, England</a>, United Kingdom; another is the Trembling Rock in <a href="/facts/Brittany%2c_France/gKwIfzMu">Brittany, France</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a> Perched block Also known as a perched boulder or perched rock, this is a large, detached rock fragment that most commonly was transported and deposited by a glacier to a resting place on glacial till, often on the side of a hill or slope. Some perched blocks were not produced by glacial action, but were the aftermath of a rock fall, <a href="/facts/Landslide/sXSzA31e">landslide</a>, or <a href="/facts/Avalanche/xm5qLRSC">avalanche</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> Erosional remnant A persisting rock formation that remains after extensive wind, water, and/or chemical erosion. To the untrained eye, it may appear to be visually like a glacial erratic, but instead of being transported and deposited, it was carved from the local bedrock. Many good examples of erosional remnants are seen in <a href="/facts/Karlu_Karlu_%2f_Devils_Marbles_Conservation_Reserve/pQMCR3ba">Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve</a> in the <a href="/facts/Northern_Territory/5BFWuuyv">Northern Territory</a> of <a href="/facts/Australia/qLHpbppq">Australia</a>. <a href="/facts/Mushroom_rocks/BnddaRAo">Pedestal rock</a> Also known as a rock pedestal or mushroom rock, this is not a true balancing rock, but is a single continuous rock form with a very small base leading up to a much larger crown. Some of these formations are called balancing rocks because of their appearance. The undercut base was attributed for many years to simple wind abrasion, but is now believed to result from a combination of wind and enhanced chemical weathering at the base where moisture would be retained longest. Some pedestal rocks sitting on taller spire formations are known as <a href="/facts/Hoodoo_(geology)/Mh2Vnd3g">hoodoos</a>. <h2 id="notable-balancing-rocks">Notable balancing rocks</h2> <h3>Africa</h3> <h4>Zimbabwe</h4> <ul><li>The <a href="/facts/Balancing_rocks_of_Zimbabwe/pFv1vQeE">balancing rocks of Zimbabwe</a> are a series of geological formations found in <a href="/facts/Zimbabwe/8Yqt8490">Zimbabwe</a>. The Balancing Rocks of Epworth are famous for being featured on the nation's <a href="/facts/Banknotes_of_Zimbabwe/xxvhFd9n">banknotes</a>, including those issued during periods of <a href="/facts/Hyperinflation/Gt5pjbJU">hyperinflation</a>, such as the Zimbabwean 100 trillion dollar note, one of the highest denomination banknotes ever issued.</li> <li>The Mother and Child balancing rocks are a well-known feature in <a href="/facts/Matobo_National_Park/cHr1jQtc">Matobo National Park</a>.</li></ul> <h3>Asia and Australia</h3> <p>India </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Krishna%2527s_Butterball/mBQFdhgr">Krishna's Butterball</a> is a huge boulder located in <a href="/facts/Mahabalipuram/xAo7GnAs">Mahabalipuram</a> of <a href="/facts/Tamilnadu/ouqcjUKE">Tamilnadu</a> in <a href="/facts/India/1kKHcnxM">India</a>. It is situated on a steep rock surface. It is a local tourist attraction.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a></li></ul> <ul><li>The Balancing Rock of Mawlynnong is near the village of <a href="/facts/Mawlynnong/B6b4PXWF">Mawlynnong</a> in the <a href="/facts/East_Khasi_Hills_district/fntRA9an">East Khasi Hills district</a> of <a href="/facts/Meghalaya/lkm1Upzw">Meghalaya</a>. It is known as Maw Ryngkew Sharatia and is a tourist attraction.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a></li> <li>The Balancing Rock at Appukal village, <a href="/facts/Vellore/9MuN5mG2">Vellore</a> district at Tamilnadu. This formation shows marked resemblance the balancing rock formation present in Zimbabwe. It is to be noted the site is believed to be a historical site but without any evidence. This rock formation appears like a bird and a baby alligator from specific angles.</li> <li>A balancing rock is located near <a href="/facts/Madan_Mahal%2c_Jabalpur/8X6VW0Pf">Madan Mahal</a> fort in <a href="/facts/Jabalpur/Gmnya8DM">Jabalpur</a> city of <a href="/facts/Madhya_Pradesh/h8GnUBv6">Madhya Pradesh</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </li> <li>A balancing rock, popularly known as <a href="/facts/Mama_Bhagne/pbkkknhk">Mama Bhagne</a>, is situated in <a href="/facts/Dubrajpur/h5WmQeEy">Dubrajpur</a> on the <a href="/facts/Chota_Nagpur_Plateau/REn4tplq">Chota Nagpur Plateau</a> in the state of <a href="/facts/West_Bengal/0B5bxvbW">West Bengal</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a></li></ul> <p>Australia </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Karlu_Karlu_%2f_Devils_Marbles_Conservation_Reserve/pQMCR3ba">Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve</a> is a vast field of erosional remnants.</li></ul> <p>Vietnam </p> <ul><li><i>Hòn Đá Ba Chồng/Thị trấn Định Quán, Huyện Định Quán, Tỉnh Đồng Nai</i>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a>[<i>circular reference</i>] Three rocks overlapping with a height of 36m, lying precariously right next to a highway.</li> <li><i>Hòn Chồng/Nha Trang, Tinh Khanh Hoa</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a>[<i>circular reference</i>] Rocks lay on top of each other next to the water's edge.</li></ul> <p>Myanmar </p> <ul><li>The boulder, which gleams golden and popularly known as the Golden Rock on which the small <a href="/facts/Kyaiktiyo_Pagoda/mnQfEKWt">Kyaiktiyo Pagoda</a> has been built, is about 25 ft (7.6 m) in height and has a circumference of 50 ft (15 m). The boulder sits on a natural rock platform that appears to have been naturally formed to act as the base to build the pagoda.</li></ul> <h3>Europe</h3> <h4>England</h4> <ul><li>The <a href="/facts/Brimham_Rocks/pawBFdyj">Brimham Rocks</a> are a group of outstanding pedestal rock formations in <a href="/facts/North_Yorkshire/xDnk6nWB">North Yorkshire</a>.</li></ul> <h4>Finland</h4> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Kummakivi/xvKzMCls">Kummakivi</a> is a balancing rock located in <a href="/facts/Ruokolahti/KxBPBzlb">Ruokolahti</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a></li></ul> <h4>Poland</h4> <ul><li>Chybotek – <a href="/facts/Granite/G2evuVKo">granite</a> balancing rock in <a href="/facts/Giant_Mountains/IUon005b">Giant Mountains</a></li> <li>Chybotek – granite balancing rock in <a href="/facts/Jizera_Mountains/oRjAvKVa">Jizera Mountains</a>.</li></ul> <h4>Spain</h4> <ul><li>Pedra de abalar – granite balancing rock in <a href="/facts/Mux%25C3%25ADa/0sRssI9V">Muxía</a> (<i>Pedra da barca</i>)</li> <li>El Tornillo (The Screw), <a href="/facts/El_Torcal_de_Antequera/LzJaj1Yf">El Torcal de Antequera</a>, <a href="/facts/Antequera/2VoM3U6U">Antequera</a>.</li> <li>Pena do Equilibrio – Giant granite balancing rock resulting from spheroidal weathering, located in Ponteareas (Pontevedra, NW Spain).</li> <li>El Tormo Alto, <a href="/facts/Ciudad_Encantada/TK7W39us">Ciudad Encantada</a>, <a href="/facts/Cuenca%2c_Spain/CYzpJll3">Cuenca</a>.</li></ul> <h4>Norway</h4> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Kjeragbolten/KzsqrjCE">Kjeragbolten</a>, Norway</li></ul> <h3>North America</h3> <p>Canada </p> <ul><li>Nova Scotia</li></ul> A tall basalt stack appears to balance precariously above the water near <a href="/facts/Digby%2c_Nova_Scotia/cTtJAAGU">Digby, Nova Scotia</a>. <ul><li>British Columbia</li></ul> Located near Bear Beach on the <a href="/facts/Juan_de_Fuca_Marine_Trail/awn9bFdg">Juan De Fuca Trail</a>, this solid rock is perched upon eroded sandstone. <p>United States </p> <ul><li>Arizona</li></ul> Several pedestal rocks are found within the boundaries of the <a href="/facts/Chiricahua_National_Monument/mQVCp7V4">Chiricahua National Monument</a>, and two are easily accessible in <a href="/facts/Marble_Canyon%2c_Arizona/qlTKhkSD">Marble Canyon</a>, between <a href="/facts/Navajo_Bridge/4foP97QS">Navajo Bridge</a> and <a href="/facts/Lee%2527s_Ferry/KqzsXmAz">Lee's Ferry</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> <ul><li>California</li></ul> A large balancing rock may be easily seen at <a href="/facts/D.L._Bliss_State_Park/9yrnuc9F">D.L. Bliss State Park</a> on the west shore of <a href="/facts/Lake_Tahoe/2RRfCLJP">Lake Tahoe</a>. <ul><li>Colorado</li></ul> A huge sandstone boulder hangs precariously near the roadway in <a href="/facts/Garden_of_the_Gods/ITwJrXJt">Garden of the Gods</a> park near <a href="/facts/Colorado_Springs%2c_Colorado/QKXhbBIV">Colorado Springs</a>. <ul><li>Idaho</li></ul> <i>Balanced Rock</i> is located south of <a href="/facts/Buhl%2c_Idaho/rD3VJ0N7">Buhl</a> in Salmon Falls Creek Canyon; created some 15 million years ago and comprising <a href="/facts/Rhyolite_lava/yKeR5Lut">rhyolite lava</a>, it stands 8 feet (2.4 m) tall, weighs 30 tons (27.215 metric tons), and is perched on a 3 foot by 17 inch (0.395 m2) <a href="/facts/Pedestal/khLJPkCG">pedestal</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> <ul><li>Maine</li></ul> A <a href="/facts/Glacial_erratic/khhXAKN5">glacial erratic</a> rests on the edge of a precipice on a mountain in <a href="/facts/Acadia_National_Park/ctSxA7MK">Acadia National Park</a>. A balanced rock beside the <a href="/facts/Shore_Path/0IhfXD7F">Shore Path</a> in downtown <a href="/facts/Bar_Harbor%2c_Maine/7ArPHs9H">Bar Harbor</a>. <ul><li>Massachusetts</li></ul> In Balance Rock Park, in <a href="/facts/Pittsfield_State_Forest/sw47PSf2">Pittsfield State Forest</a>, a field of massive boulders left on a hillside by receding glaciers is crowned by Balance Rock, a tremendous rock balancing almost unbelievably upon a smaller rock protruding from the ground. <ul><li>Oregon</li></ul> A site near <a href="/facts/Lake_Billy_Chinook/0ul7zGG2">Lake Billy Chinook</a> is known as Balancing Rocks or as the <a href="/facts/Metolius%2c_Oregon/XXU5YMcx">Metolius</a> Balancing Rocks.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> <ul><li>New Mexico</li></ul> Several sites around the state, including the <a href="/facts/Bisti_Badlands/lpcTGjmz">Bisti Badlands</a>, <a href="/facts/Kasha-Katuwe_Tent_Rocks_National_Monument/V3IDor9c">Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument</a>, the <a href="/facts/Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah_Wilderness_Study_Area/jAGLBhqN">Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness</a>, <a href="/facts/Chaco_Canyon_National_Park/S2DIpX1I">Chaco Canyon National Park</a>, Red Rock State Park, and in private and <a href="/facts/United_States_Bureau_of_Land_Management/Hfp5g8o1">BLM public lands</a> throughout <a href="/facts/New_Mexico/wosJCGaW">New Mexico</a> . <ul><li>New York</li></ul> Balanced Rock in North Salem, in <a href="/facts/Westchester_County/8NjUafq0">Westchester County</a>, New York. A glacial erratic that rests securely on five other rocks pointing upright, the Balanced Rock itself is a heavily weathered pink granite that is not local to the area, and is in fact found further north in the Hudson Highlands. <ul><li>North Carolina</li></ul> The Devil's Head is a large boulder perched on the ledge of a cliff in the <a href="/facts/Chimney_Rock_State_Park/WuvBjW5X">Chimney Rock State Park</a>, North Carolina. <ul><li>Texas</li></ul> Balanced Rock (also called Window Rock) is a large boulder suspended between two pedestals in the Grapevine Hills of <a href="/facts/Big_Bend_National_Park/1p9sjQqY">Big Bend National Park</a>. <ul><li>Utah</li></ul> One of the most visited formations in the United States is the <a href="/facts/Balanced_Rock/uMwCKpL2">Balanced Rock</a> in <a href="/facts/Arches_National_Park/1R5DhBCH">Arches National Park</a>. <ul><li>Washington</li></ul> A large glacial erratic is at the south end of Omak Lake in Okanogan County, known as the <a href="/facts/Omak_Rock/eYAdcs3L">Omak Rock</a>. <ul><li>Wisconsin</li></ul> Located in <a href="/facts/Devil%2527s_Lake_State_Park_(Wisconsin)/NJsobsSS">Devil's Lake State Park</a>. A big rock near the top of a trail with the same name with a view on the lake. <p>Mexico </p> <ul><li>Zacatecas</li></ul> At <a href="/facts/Sierra_de_Organos_National_Park/oqrXKJ6H">Sierra de Organos National Park</a> in the municipality of <a href="/facts/Sombrerete/PmVhuX1u">Sombrerete</a> there are two balancing rocks near each other. <h3>South America</h3> <p>Argentina </p> <ul><li>The <a href="/facts/Piedra_Movediza/VnzoVmcb">Piedra Movediza</a> was a balancing rock located close to the city of <a href="/facts/Tandil/zgGJ8wRG">Tandil</a>, <a href="/facts/Buenos_Aires_Province/HkAcQKBN">Buenos Aires Province</a>, <a href="/facts/Argentina/aFSA5bAk">Argentina</a>. Its weight was about 300 tons, and its pedestal was so thin it moved with the wind. It attracted attention and tourists because of the way it was balanced on the edge of a cliff. The stone fell and broke on 29 February 1912, possibly due to human intervention. A replica of the stone was put in place in 2007.</li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_individual_rocks/msDAevsY">List of individual rocks</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Hoodoo_(geology)/Mh2Vnd3g">Hoodoo</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Balanced rocks. <ul><li><a href="http://www.waymarking.com/cat/details.aspx?f=1&guid=4480cfa2-58a5-40b0-9a18-14811fc24a3a">Waymarking: Nature's Balanced Rocks</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Emery, Andy (26 October 2023). "Glacial erratics". AntarcticGlaciers.org. Retrieved 13 May 2024. <a href="https://www.antarcticglaciers.org/glacial-geology/glacial-landforms/glacial-depositional-landforms/glacial-erratics/" target="_blank">https://www.antarcticglaciers.org/glacial-geology/glacial-landforms/glacial-depositional-landforms/glacial-erratics/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Haddad, David. "Nature's Balanced Seismometers". Retrieved 18 February 2010. <a href="http://www.azgs.az.gov/arizona_geology/april09/article_seismometers.html" target="_blank">http://www.azgs.az.gov/arizona_geology/april09/article_seismometers.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Krishna's butter ball – A Balancing Rock at Mahabalipuram". Mystery of India. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2018. <a href="http://www.mysteryofindia.com/2014/10/krishnas-butterball-balancing-rock-mahabalipuram.html" target="_blank">http://www.mysteryofindia.com/2014/10/krishnas-butterball-balancing-rock-mahabalipuram.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Balancing Rock". Trawell. Retrieved 4 August 2020. <a href="https://www.trawell.in/meghalaya/mawlynnong/balancing-rock" target="_blank">https://www.trawell.in/meghalaya/mawlynnong/balancing-rock</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Balancing Rock near Madan Mahal, Jabalpur – Picture of Balancing Rocks, Jabalpur – TripAdvisor". www.tripadvisor.com. Retrieved 7 October 2018. <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g503699-d2708831-i140911081-Balancing_Rocks-Jabalpur_Jabalpur_District_Madhya_Pradesh.html" target="_blank">https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g503699-d2708831-i140911081-Balancing_Rocks-Jabalpur_Jabalpur_District_Madhya_Pradesh.html</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Mama-Bhagne Hills – Amazingly balancing rocks of Dubrajpur". Get Bengal. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020. <a href="https://www.getbengal.com/details/mama-bhagne-Hills-amazingly-balancing-rocks-of-dubrajpur" target="_blank">https://www.getbengal.com/details/mama-bhagne-Hills-amazingly-balancing-rocks-of-dubrajpur</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>vi:Đá Ba Chồng <a href="https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%90%C3%A1_Ba_Ch%E1%BB%93ng" target="_blank">https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%90%C3%A1_Ba_Ch%E1%BB%93ng</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>vi:Hòn Chồng và Hòn Vợ <a href="https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B2n_Ch%E1%BB%93ng_v%C3%A0_H%C3%B2n_V%E1%BB%A3" target="_blank">https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B2n_Ch%E1%BB%93ng_v%C3%A0_H%C3%B2n_V%E1%BB%A3</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Karrta Paikka" (in Finnish). National Land Survey of Finland. Retrieved 1 December 2013.[permanent dead link] <a href="http://kansalaisen.karttapaikka.fi/karttalinkki/karttalinkki.html?e=576101&n=6818585&scale=8000&width=600&height=600&tool=siirra&lang=fi" target="_blank">http://kansalaisen.karttapaikka.fi/karttalinkki/karttalinkki.html?e=576101&n=6818585&scale=8000&width=600&height=600&tool=siirra&lang=fi</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"Glen Canyon/Rainbow Bridge Park Guide 2013". National Park Service. 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2014. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/glca/parknews/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageID=692133" target="_blank">http://www.nps.gov/glca/parknews/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageID=692133</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"What to do at Balanced Rock Park". 16 December 2021. <a href="https://visitsouthidaho.com/what-to-do-at-balanced-rock-park/" target="_blank">https://visitsouthidaho.com/what-to-do-at-balanced-rock-park/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Gentzler, Corbin (20 August 2014). "Go Here: Balancing Rocks". Source Weekly. Retrieved 2 October 2024. <a href="https://www.bendsource.com/outside/balancing-rocks-2389991" target="_blank">https://www.bendsource.com/outside/balancing-rocks-2389991</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"Nature on an even keel at Oregon's Balancing Rock". 25 May 2023. <a href="https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/national_news/nature-on-an-even-keel-at-oregon-s-balancing-rock/article_f52da426-89d9-5cdf-8ea8-b0ff53a8c92e.html" target="_blank">https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/national_news/nature-on-an-even-keel-at-oregon-s-balancing-rock/article_f52da426-89d9-5cdf-8ea8-b0ff53a8c92e.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>