Buzz
Balancing rocks are fascinating (and even cosmic) formations that draw the attention of tourists, geologists, and increasingly, artists.
1. BALANCED ROCK // COLORADO, USA
Millions of years ago, Colorado was submerged by a shallow inland sea, which eventually transformed into sandstone. As the region rose during the formation of the Rocky Mountains, softer sections of sandstone eroded, leaving the more resilient parts behind, creating Colorado’s Garden of the Gods. Over time, continued erosion at the base will cause Balanced Rock (as shown in the image above) to lose its equilibrium and eventually collapse.
2. BALANCING ROCKS // SEVERAL LOCATIONS ACROSS ZIMBABWE
Carine06, Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
Much like in Colorado, these formations were once encircled by softer rock that eroded over time. As the rocks expanded and contracted with temperature changes, they cracked into distinct geometric shapes. Once the surrounding rock and earth disappeared, the stones tumbled into place, much like bricks would without mortar [PDF]. Zimbabwe holds these features in high regard, even having them immortalized on the 100 trillion Zimbabwe dollar note.
3. BIG BALANCED ROCK // CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT, ARIZONA
Al_HikesAZ, Flickr // CC BY-NC 2.0
Around 27 million years ago, the Turkey Creek volcano (now a caldera) erupted, blanketing parts of modern Arizona with over 1600 feet of ash and pumice that solidified into a soft rock known as welded tuff. However, tuff isn't particularly durable, and it began eroding away at the rate of two-thirds of an inch per thousand years [PDF]. Fortunately, the USGS reports no immediate threat to these rocks from erosion for the next several thousand years. The more pressing concern for the rocks is earthquakes, although they survived a recent 7.2 magnitude quake with only minor damage (nearby buildings were not so lucky).
4. PRECARIOUSLY BALANCED ROCKS // NEAR SAN ANDREAS FAULT, NEVADA AND CALIFORNIA
Nick Hinz // Nevada Bureau of Mines & Geology
If there’s any location in the country where balancing rocks seem out of place, it’s near the San Andreas fault, where one would expect earthquakes to knock them down like dominoes. Yet, these rocks have existed for at least 10,000 years, enduring over 50 significant earthquakes. A recent study, published in August, proposed a theory that the rocks’ survival might be due to their position between the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults, where an interaction between the faults reduces ground vibrations, thereby stabilizing the rocks. This theory aligns with geological ideas—but suggests that current models of the San Andreas fault may be incomplete.
5. IDOL ROCK // YORKSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM
Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0
The unusual Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire, with Idol Rock being the most well-known, were formed around 400 million years ago when the region was submerged under a river. During the last glacial maximum, glaciers covered the nearby mountains, and where glaciers are, glacial winds follow. These winds blew sand across the rocks at tremendous speeds, shaping them into their distinctive appearance—almost like a natural form of sandblasting.
6. KUMMAKIVI BALANCING ROCK // FINLAND
Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0
The name translates to “strange rock,” but in English, we have a more familiar term for such features: erratics. As glaciers moved forward, they picked up boulders from the surrounding landscape and carried them—sometimes over great distances. When the glaciers started to retreat, these rocks didn’t return with the ice but were instead deposited on the land, sometimes perfectly balanced atop another rock.
7. BALANCING ROCK // HOLLISTON, MASSACHUSETTS
WikimediaCommons // Public Domain
What makes this rock fascinating isn't the rock itself (it’s a typical glacial erratic), but the story of who attempted to topple it. According to local legend, George Washington passed through the area and tried to push the rock over. Needless to say, he didn't succeed.
8. RUGGESTEINEN // NORWAY
Occasionally, a rock is so finely balanced that a small amount of effort can make it rock. This is the case with Ruggesteinen in Norway, also referred to as the Rocking Stone. Despite its weight of over 70 tons, it can still be moved with just a few people pushing.
9. KRISHNA'S BUTTER BALL // MAHABALIPURAM, INDIA
Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0
This one is quite enigmatic. It could be a glacial erratic, it might have been carved from the surrounding rock, or perhaps it was placed there by ancient Indians. Local legend tells of a story in 1908 when the British Governor declared it dangerous and decided it needed removal. Allegedly, seven elephants couldn’t move it. While the elephant story might be more myth than fact, glaciers have indeed been known to carry incredibly heavy rocks—there’s one in Canada that weighs 16,500 tons.
10. GOLDEN ROCK PAGODA // MYANMAR
Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain
This 25-foot-tall rock is shrouded in mystery. While Myanmar does have glaciers, which could explain its presence, Buddhist tradition holds that the rock was positioned there to enclose a hair from the Buddha’s head.
11. MANMADE BALANCING STONES // AROUND THE WORLD
Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0
In recent years, rock balancing has emerged as a widely embraced art form. Inspired by traditional cairns (rock stacks that often serve as memorials or markers), these creations can become incredibly intricate. However, this trend isn't without its detractors. The act of balancing rocks can lead to the erosion of the underlying soil and the destruction of small animals’ habitats. Furthermore, building these rocks in areas where cairns are used as trail markers can result in people becoming lost. Because of this, many modern rock balancers prefer to return the rocks to their original positions after taking a few photographs.
12. 67P/CHURYUMOV-GERASIMENKO // OUT OF THIS WORLD
ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA
In 2014, the European Space Agency successfully landed on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Among the images sent back to Earth was one that appeared to show what resembled balancing rocks on the surface of the comet. The origin of these objects remains uncertain: it’s possible that as the comet approached the Sun, ice melted around these harder materials, leaving them behind. Another possibility is that various forces are causing the boulders to shift. Alternatively, it could be a matter of perspective, with future, higher-quality images revealing nothing unusual. For now, any exploration of the finest balancing stones might just require a space suit.
