The Willamette Meteorite

The Willamette meteorite, referred to as Tomanowos or "Spirit Power" by the Clackamas Chinook people, is the largest space rock found in North America and one of the biggest iron meteorites in the world. It weighs about 15.5 tons (14 metric tonnes), which is equal to roughly 31,000 pounds or 14,150 kilograms. This large interstellar object is approximately 10 feet in length, 6.5 feet in width, and 4.25 feet in height. Its composition includes over 91% iron, 7.6% nickel, and small amounts of cobalt, gallium, germanium, and iridium. It is believed to be a fragment of the metallic core of a differentiated planetesimal that formed in the early stages of the solar system's development.

The Willamette Meteorite, also known as Tomanowos, is a massive iron meteorite.

Devils Tower: America's Silent Stone Giant

Drive across the rolling grasslands of northeastern Wyoming, and, at some point, you'll catch sight of it before you're ready — a grey column rising out of nowhere, standing apart from every hill and ridge around it. That's Devils Tower. Pictures never quite capture it — up close, it feels less like part of the scenery and more like something that showed up and refused to leave

The tower seen from the surrounding pine forest

Katskhi Pillar

Katskhi Church is perched on a limestone pillar more than 40m high.

The most isolated church in the world | From the city of Kutaisi, drive through beautiful, winding country roads of about 60km in length to reach Katskhi village; you will be surprised to see the Georgia Pillar – a natural limestone formation over 40m high, towering in the middle of the space. The rock church in Georgia, perched atop the stone pillar, is Katskhi Church. One of the most famous structures in the Imereti region, also known as the world's most isolated and holiest church.

Katskhi pillar

Al Naslaa Rock: Saudi Arabia’s Mysterious Split Rock

In the desert near the ancient oasis of Tayma in northwestern Saudi Arabia, a large sandstone formation stands divided into two striking halves. Known as Al Naslaa Rock, the formation looks almost impossible at first sight. A narrow, remarkably straight gap cuts through the rock, while each half appears to rest on a small natural pedestal.

Al Naslaa Rock, the famous naturally split rock formation near Tayma, Saudi Arabia.

Parus Rock: The Sail Rock of Russia

On Russia's Black Sea coast, near the resort city of Gelendzhik, a remarkable slab of sandstone rises almost vertically from the shoreline. Known as Parus Rock, or Sail Rock, it looks surprisingly like the sail of a ship standing against the sea. The unusual shape is not the result of human construction. It is a natural rock formation shaped by the long interaction of the coastline, erosion, and differences in the strength of the surrounding rocks.

Parus Rock, also known as Sail Rock, stands dramatically along the Black Sea coast near Praskoveyevka in Krasnodar Krai, Russia.

Fly Geyser: Nevada’s Colorful Geothermal Wonder

In the middle of the stark Nevada desert, an extraordinary formation rises from the ground like something from another planet, surrounded by mostly open playa, sagebrush, and distant mountains. Fly Geyser is a small geothermal wonder covered in vivid shades of red, orange, green, and yellow, with hot water constantly spilling over its mineral-encrusted terraces.

Fly Geyser rises from the desert at Fly Ranch in northern Nevada, displaying its unusual layers of colourful mineral deposits.

El Peñón de Guatapé: Colombia’s Giant Rock

Standing in the countryside of Antioquia, El Peñón de Guatapé looks almost out of place. The enormous rock rises sharply above the surrounding hills, with the blue waters of the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir spreading out around it. Visitors can climb the staircase built into the rock and reach a viewpoint high above the landscape. From there, the maze of water, islands, and green hills looks entirely different. The rock also has a story that goes well beyond tourism, with an unusual geological past, a famous first climb in 1954, and a long connection with the people who lived in this part of Colombia.

El Peñón de Guatapé rises dramatically above the surrounding landscape in Antioquia, Colombia.

Balanced Rock: Garden of the Gods, Colorado

Balanced Rock is one of the most recognisable formations in the Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. Its considerable mass of red rock appears to rest on a much narrower base, creating the impression that the formation could topple at any moment. It is a simple shape, but seeing it in person makes the illusion much more striking than a photograph suggests.

Balanced Rock stands among the dramatic red rock formations of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Chimney Rock Nebraska: Oregon Trail Landmark

On the plains of western Nebraska, a tall, narrow rock rises above the surrounding grasslands. It is easy to see why travellers noticed it long before modern roads and highways crossed the region. This is Chimney Rock, a natural landmark near Bayard that became one of the best-known markers on the great overland trails of the 19th century. Emigrants travelling west along the North Platte River watched for the distinctive formation because seeing it meant they had reached an important point on their journey.

Hoba Meteorite: The World’s Largest Intact Meteorite

A giant piece of metal sitting quietly in a field may not sound like the sort of thing that draws visitors from around the world. But the Hoba Meteorite is no ordinary piece of metal. Near Grootfontein in northern Namibia sits a roughly 60-tonne iron meteorite, an object that came from space and eventually landed on Earth. It was discovered in 1920, and unlike many large meteorite impacts, it did not leave a clearly identifiable crater behind.

The Hoba Meteorite is located at its original site in Namibia.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks: New Mexico’s Cone-Shaped Rock Formations

In the high desert of north-central New Mexico, a landscape of unusual cone-shaped rocks rises from the Pajarito Plateau. These formations look almost like giant tents carved from stone, which is why they are known as Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks rise as distinctive cone-shaped formations in the New Mexico desert.

Idol Rock at Brimham Rocks: Yorkshire’s Famous Balancing Rock

On the high moorland of North Yorkshire, large blocks of gritstone rise from the grass in shapes that can look almost impossible. One of the most famous is Idol Rock at Brimham Rocks, a giant formation that appears to rest on a surprisingly narrow base.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda: Myanmar’s Golden Rock Defying Gravity

Near the summit of Mount Kyaiktiyo in Myanmar’s Mon State, a large granite boulder covered with gold leaf appears to balance on the edge of a steep mountain. Above it stands the small Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, creating one of the most unusual religious landmarks in Southeast Asia. Better known as Golden Rock, the site attracts Buddhist pilgrims and travellers who are drawn to its remarkable appearance.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda rises above the famous gold-covered Golden Rock on Mount Kyaiktiyo in Myanmar.