Balancing rock


A balancing rock, also called a balanced rock, precariously balanced rock , or precarious boulder, is a naturally occurring geological formation featuring a large rock or boulder, sometimes of substantial size, resting on other rocks, bedrock, or on glacial till. Some formations known by this name only appear to be balancing, but are in fact firmly connected to a base rock by a pedestal or stem.
No single scientific definition of the term exists, and it has been applied to a variety of rock features.

Categories

Types of feature that the term has been applied to include:
;Glacial erratic: A boulder that was transported and deposited by glaciers or ice rafts to a resting place on soil, on bedrock, or on other boulders. It usually has a different lithology from the other rocks around it. Not all glacial erratics are balancing rocks; some are firmly seated on the ground. Some balancing erratics have come to be known as rocking stones, also known as logan rocks, logan stones, or logans, because they are so finely balanced that the application of just a small force may cause them to rock or sway. A good example of a rocking stone is the Logan Rock in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom; another is the Trembling Rock in Brittany, France.
;Perched block: Also known as a perched boulder or perched rock, this is a large, detached rock fragment that most commonly was transported and deposited by a glacier to a resting place on glacial till, often on the side of a hill or slope. Some perched blocks were not produced by glacial action, but were the aftermath of a rock fall, landslide, or avalanche.
;Erosional remnant: A persisting rock formation that remains after extensive wind, water, and/or chemical erosion. To the untrained eye, it may appear to be visually like a glacial erratic, but instead of being transported and deposited, it was carved from the local bedrock. Many good examples of erosional remnants are seen in Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve in the Northern Territory of Australia.
;Pedestal rock: Also known as a rock pedestal or mushroom rock, this is not a true balancing rock, but is a single continuous rock form with a very small base leading up to a much larger crown. Some of these formations are called balancing rocks because of their appearance. The undercut base was attributed for many years to simple wind abrasion, but is now believed to result from a combination of wind and enhanced chemical weathering at the base where moisture would be retained longest. Some pedestal rocks sitting on taller spire formations are known as hoodoos.

Notable balancing rocks

Africa

Zimbabwe

Australia

  • Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve is a vast field of erosional remnants.

    India

  • Krishna's Butterball is a huge boulder located in Mahabalipuram of Tamilnadu in India. It is situated on a steep rock surface. It is a local tourist attraction.
  • The Balancing Rock of Mawlynnong is near the village of Mawlynnong in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. It is known as Maw Ryngkew Sharatia and is a tourist attraction.
  • The Balancing Rock at Appukal village, Vellore district at Tamilnadu. This formation shows marked resemblance the balancing rock formation present in Zimbabwe. This rock formation appears like a bird and a baby alligator from specific angles.
  • A balancing rock is located near Madan Mahal fort in Jabalpur city of Madhya Pradesh.
  • A balancing rock, popularly known as Mama Bhagne, is situated in Dubrajpur on the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the state of West Bengal.

    Myanmar

  • The boulder, which gleams golden and popularly known as the Golden Rock on which the small Kyaiktiyo Pagoda has been built, is about 25 ft in height and has a circumference of 50 ft. The boulder sits on a natural rock platform that appears to have been naturally formed to act as the base to build the pagoda.

    Philippines

  • The Magpupungko limestone rock formation in Pilar, Siargao, which is also famous for its tide pools. The name "Magpupungko" means "the one who sits", from the root word wikt:pungko.

    Vietnam

  • Hòn Đá Ba Chồng/Thị trấn Định Quán, Huyện Định Quán, Tỉnh Đồng Nai. Three rocks overlapping with a height of 36m, lying precariously right next to a highway.
  • Hòn Chồng/Nha Trang, Tinh Khanh Hoa Rocks lay on top of each other next to the water's edge.

    Europe

England

Canada

  • Nova Scotia
  • British Columbia

    United States

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Oregon
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

    Mexico

  • Zacatecas

    South America

Argentina

  • The Piedra Movediza was a balancing rock located close to the city of Tandil, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Its weight was about 300 tons, and its pedestal was so thin it moved with the wind. It attracted attention and tourists because of the way it was balanced on the edge of a cliff. The stone fell and broke on 29 February 1912, possibly due to human intervention. A replica of the stone was put in place in 2007.