Devil's Tower

by John Mead/science Photo Library

Title

Devil's Tower

Artist

John Mead/science Photo Library

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

View of the Devil's Tower, a basalt outcrop in Wyoming, USA. Opinion is divided as to the origins of this striking feature; to the Earth scientists the 2-metre wide hexagonal pillars it exhibits are clear evidence of close spaced columnar jointing formed by a relatively rapid cooling not far below the surface. The folklore of the American Indians, on the other hand, attributes the form of the outcrop to the work of a giant grizzly bear. Needless to say the debate still rages. The Devil's Tower found fame outside of geological circles after playing a central role in the Steven Spielberg film 'Close encounters of the third kind'.

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February 23rd, 2021

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