GMU structural geology students admire Compton Peak columns September 12, 2024April 23, 2012 by Callan Bentley Last Saturday, before the rains moved in…
My friend Jeff and I looked at this Sunday and loved it. Were these formed vertically and then fell over? Some of them appear mashed. Reply
Cooling columns form perpendicular to cooling fronts, and since most lava occurs in sheet-like horizontal flows, most columns are more or less vertical. So yes, post-formation tilting makes sense to me. Reply
Hmmm…hard hats might be in order when sitting under an overhanging cliff?
A good point – leave it to you to notice the potential for rocks to fall!
My friend Jeff and I looked at this Sunday and loved it. Were these formed vertically and then fell over? Some of them appear mashed.
Cooling columns form perpendicular to cooling fronts, and since most lava occurs in sheet-like horizontal flows, most columns are more or less vertical. So yes, post-formation tilting makes sense to me.