Tag Archives: Rocks

Grand Canyon

By | |
Leave a comment
Grand Canyon

Big, large and rocky!

  • The Grand Canyon is located in the state of Arizona, in the United States of America and has some of the cleanest air in the US.
  • The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world and has been most notably carved by the flow of the Colorado River.
  • The Grand Canyon is 466 km (277 miles) in length, up to 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) deep, and in places up to 29 km (18 miles) in width.
  • The Grand Canyon was first discovered by Europeans in September, 1540.
  • The former United States president, Theodore Roosevelt, started the Grand Canyon National Park, which protects the wonder.

Grand Canyon, Top Side view, rocks, Free Digital Photos, Ten Random Facts

Grand Canyon
Image courtesy of Paul Martin Eldridge/Free Digital Photos
  • In the periods of 2003-2011, mining in the Grand Canyon was requested due to the large amount of uranium underground.
  • Temperatures at the Grand Canyon can reach up to 38°C (100°F) and can go as low as -18°C (0°F).
  • 1,737 species of plants and 34 mammals have been spotted or seen at the Grand Canyon.
  • On average, 5 million visitors visit the Grand Canyon every year.
  • Since the 1870s, 600 deaths have occurred at the Grand Canyon.  242 of those deaths were results of plane and helicopter crashes.
Bibliography:
Grand Canyon 8 December 2012, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon>

Stonehenge

By | |
Leave a comment
Stonehenge

Stonehenge, large Stonehenge.

  • Stonehenge is a large, circular rock structure in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. 
  • It is believed that the construction of Stonehenge started around 3000 BC – 2000 BC and was built for religious purposes.
  • Stonehenge was declared a World Heritage Site in 1986.
  • Stonehenge is owned by ‘The Crown’, the Royal Family.
  • Stonehenge is believed to to have taken 1500 years to build.

Stonehenge monument, structure, burial place, rocks, bluestone, Ten Random Facts, Free Digital Photos

The Stonehenge
Image courtesy of Matt Banks / Free Digital Photos
  • Stonehenge is a burial place with approximately several hundred burials in the vicinity.
  • William Glowland started a big restoration project on Stonehenge in 1901, which has lasted many years.
  • In British mythology,  it is believed that Stonehenge’s stones were carried by giants.
  • Stonehenge stones, bluestone and sarsen, were from the Preseli mountains, south-west Wales and Marlborough Downs, north Wiltshire.
  • Stonehenge was made from approximately 60 stones that made up the bluestone circle but many have been removed or are broken.
Bibliography:
History15 November, Stonehenge.co.uk, <http://www.stonehenge.co.uk/history.php>
Stonehenge 12 November 2012, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge>

Uluru

By | | ,
Leave a comment
Uluru

One hot rock formation, more fascinating than these facts!

  • Uluru is a famous, mostly sandstone rock in Northern Territory, Central Australia.
  • The traditional owners of Uluru are the Pitjantjatjara and the Anangu Anangu.
  • Uluru is also known as Ayers Rock, named after Sir Henry Ayers.
  • There has been approximately 150 bird, 46 mammal, 73 reptile and 400 plant and flora species sited at or near Uluru.
  • It is possible to climb Uluru but it is requested that you refrain from doing so by the indigenous Australians due to spiritual and safety reasons.

Uluru Sunset, Sedimentry Rock, World Heritage, Orange, Igneous Australians, Ayers Rock, Aboriginals, Northern Territory Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Uluru is a world heritage site and as a result, attracts more than 400,000 visitors a year.
  • Uluru is 348 meters high (1142 feet) and is 863 meters (2831 feet) above sea level.
  • The average rainfall at Uluru is 284.6 ml (11.2 inches) yearly.
  • The average temperature at Uluru is 37.8°C (100°F).
  •  35 deaths have occurred from climbing Uluru, and many injuries sustained due to harsh landscape and climates.
Bibliography:
Uluru 31 October 2012, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uluru>

Amazon:     

Diamond

By | |
Leave a comment
Diamond

Ooooooooh – pretty! Well, pretty if polished and cut. Polished and cut facts coming right up!

  • Diamond is one of the rarest and prettiest stones in the world.
  • Diamonds are made from carbon.
  • Diamond is the hardest natural material ever discovered.  The hardness results from the strong carbon atom arrangement.
  • Originally, the main diamond producers were India, Africa and Brazil but currently, Australia and Russia have the greatest supplies and mine more diamonds than any other country in the world.
  • Diamond is normally found in rivers or in a type of rock called kimberlite.Blue cut polished diamond, Ten Random Facts, Free Digital Photos
Polished, Cut Diamond
Image courtesy of Anusorn P Nachol/ Free Digital Photos
  • Diamonds are bought and sold using a measurement called carats, which is equal to 0.2 grams.
  • Before kimberlite was discovered, diamond was often dug out from the sand.
  • Now people use x-rays to separate diamond from kimberlite rock.
  • 75%-80% of people’s engagement rings contain a diamond.
  • Nearly 80% of the diamonds that are mined are used for tools or other equipment since they are not suitable to be used as gemstones.
Bibliography:
Diamond 12 October 2012, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond>
Herbert, S 1980, Diamonds, Wayland Publishers Limited, England

Amazon: 

Igneous Rock

By | | ,
22 Comments
Igneous Rock

There are many types of rocks and many groups. Igneous rocks are up!

  • Igneous rocks are formed in molten magma.
  • There are two types of igneous rock. One type of igneous rock is formed in the surface of the earth while the other type of rock forms on the crust, because of the cool air.
  • Igneous rock is also formed when magma cools and crystallises into a rock formation.
  • Most of the earth’s crust is made out of igneous rock.
  • Many mountains are made out of igneous rocks. Also, many mountains with lots of surrounding igneous rock suggests that the mountain could be a volcano.

 Igneous Rock, Granite, Free Digital Photos, Free Digital Photos

Igneous Rock
Image courtesy of Antpkr/ Free Digital Photos
  • ‘Igneous’ comes from the latin phrase ‘made from fire’.
  • Earth’s moon is made out of igneous rocks.
  • Many roads are made from crushed igneous rock .
  • The igneous rock called pumice is the lightest rock on earth.
  • Igneous rocks contain many minerals that help plants grow.
Bibliography:
Rocks & Minerals 2004, Dorling Kindersley, United States
Stewart, M 2002, Igneous Rocks, Heinemann Library, Great Britian

Amazon:   

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...