Nature is amazing!

Litlanesfoss is a waterfall located in East Iceland

Iceland really does have some some breath-taking scenery. This is Litlanesfoss, a naturally created rock formation known as columnar jointed basalt. It just looks like something Tolkein could have dreamt up. Also a bit of a reminder that sometimes stress can produce something really rather beautiful. 

Garni Gorge is east of Yerevan, Armenia

Known as the "Symphony of the Stones"

Scientifically, what happens is that these columns are formed with immense stress as the volcanic lava cools. The lava contracts forming cracks that grow perpendicular to the surface flow. It is the combination of slow cooling from the base upward and rapid cooling from the top downward. 

Los Organos, Canary Islands, Spain

Of course a bit closer to home we have the Giants Causeway in Northern Island. I think it is something about the uniform hexagonal shape of these stones that slightly blows my mind, the feeling that this can't naturally occur, that something must have created them.

Giant's Causeway County Antrim on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland

Of course I also have an overwhelming urge to play hopscotch on them!

Pictures from The World Geography and also Automatism.