In the deserts of Saudi Arabia, a part of the world that is steeped in history, there is a mysterious rock formation that is amongst the most unusual and interesting in the entire world.
It’s called the Al Naslaa rock formation, and as well as being of special geological interest, it also offers an insight into the past.
The first thing you’ll notice about it – if you’re looking properly anyway – is that there’s an almost perfectly straight split carved right down the centre of it.
No, that’s not from some sort of human quarrying, nor is it the work of some conceptual artist or other, left in the deserts to be eroded by the sand.
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It’s completely natural, and it’s that natural erosion that could have caused it to be the way that it is.
The simple truth – however – is that nobody actually knows for certain how that crack was formed.
Alongside the split running straight down the large rock, there are ancient petroglyphs, depicting animals and other shapes, showing evidence that the rock formation has been observed by many people throughout the generations.
Presumably, they were equally as fascinated with how it formed, though they may not have had the scientific information that we have nowadays.
The split goes straight down through the middle of the rock, before the gap widens to a couple of pedestals at the bottom, upon which the whole thing is balanced.
The two boulders are six metres high – that’s about 20 feet – and never touch at any point visible above ground.
So, what are the theories behind how it was created?
Sedimentary rocks erode at different rates based upon which layer is being exposed, which you can also see in places like Monument Valley in the United States.
As the sediment is eroded away, it can leave pedestal-like structures, as well as creating strange formations that appear as if they are about to collapse. Of course, as is the nature of time and erosion, one day they will.
Another theory – which is questionable but definitely possible – could be a joint or fracture in the rock.
As we’ve already mentioned, this rock formation will one day go the way of many others around the world – including the UK’s Durdle Door recently – and crumble away, falling to pieces.
Still, whilst we’ve got them, it’s worth enjoying them, as nature is capable of creating some pretty weird stuff, all by itself.
Topics: World News, Science, Weird
Tom Wood