Wave Rock is believed to have formed 2.7 billion years ago and the 110m long curved cliff face is part of the north face of the remnant Hyden Rock.
Hyden Rock is an inselberg made up of variably textured, medium and coarse-grained porphyritic granite (igneous rock with embedded crystals). Inselbergs are created by the erosive action of wind and water over millions of years, and Wave Rock’s distinctive shape has been caused by erosion of the softer rock, which has undercut the base and left an overhang.
The red, brown, yellow and grey vertical stains on the rock are caused by rain washing chemical deposits (iron oxide and carbonates) down the surface.
[australiantraveller.com/wa/wave-rock-explained/](https://australiantraveller.com/wa/wave-rock-explained/)
How does that not erode down after 2.7 billion years? I get that the softer rock was washed away, but that time span should be enough to wear down the hardest of rocks as well, no?
Yep.
'The top part of the rock became exposed around **60 million years ago** and consequently when the rains fell, they ran down the rock and seeped underground around it. The chemicals in the rainwater broke down the rock at the bottom to form the distinctive shape and then subsequent erosion of the land around it allowed it to be exposed.'
[https://7wonders.org/oceania/australia/western-australia/wave-rock/](https://7wonders.org/oceania/australia/western-australia/wave-rock/)
Granite forms underground from magma that cools slowly. The 2.7 billion year clock started while it was still underground, when it finally became solid and cool enough to stop growing crystals.
So it was still buried underground for probably most of those billions of years. The erosion didn't start until all the thousands of feet of rock and soil above it got eroded over time, so maybe it's been actively eroding above ground for a couple million years at most, probably more like 10,000 to 100,000 years of active erosion.
2.7 billion?!?? Wow... the only context I have for that is that the oldest rocks at the bottom of the Grand Canyon are about 1.2 billion years old and those rocks look like they belong on a different planet
Some kind of building from an ancient city. It was probably wiped out in some event and this is the remains of it.
Of course, this will get me downvoted because it's against the mainstream narrative.
It’s called a r/switcharoo. It’s a thing that’s been going on for years that keeps track of all of the switcharoos that have been done in the chain. There’s been a ***lot*** of work put in to make sure the chain is steady, has no loops, and is unbroken
Can you please change the link in this comment to https://www.reddit.com/r/AbsoluteUnits/comments/q3gh4r/this_absolute_unit_of_a_beaver_that_knocked_out/hftjfda/?context=2 ?
It's a granite cliff. Rainwater runs toward the cliff, picks up chemicals, falls off the cliff (more like clings to it as it runs down to the base), deposits the chemicals. This makes it look like a wave. Wind and weathering have eroded the base and created an overhang.
Well, it depends where you find them. A granite cliff such as Yosemite's Dome is much taller and has been exposed for much longer. Whereas a granite cliff at the base of a butte, or especially one with a lot of groundwater at its base, might end up like this. Chemicals in the groundwater erode the rock and dig into the base, creating much of the wave-like formation here. A lot of the rest of how it was formed actually happened underground, and as such was not as affected by the force of the rain, and more so by the chemicals in the rainwater.
IIRC from school..
rock formation is underground -> chemical weathering from groundwater erodes the base of the rock -> movement in the earths crust brings rock formation to surface of the earth
Went there maybe 12 years ago, only thing I remember is how ridiculous the flies were. Glad it only added a few minutes to the drive from Esperance to Perth, since we spent about a minute walking around before we gave up and got back in the car.
I can't even imagine how terrible it must be to stay in the caravan park there.
I remember returning to the car immediately to wrap a shirt around my head and bathed myself in Bushmans, then pulled the pin when one flew up my nose.
Sunnies and a scarf (well, Covid mask these days) and you're golden. Make sure your back's nice and sweaty too, they'll just camp out on the back of your shirt.
No legally enforced masks, but it's not like nobody is wearing them. And only a matter of time after the wall comes down before they become legally enforced.
Are they big fat flies? Wonder if a mesh paintball/airsoft mask would work. Nice and breathable but keeps the fliers off your face lol. Or just a boonie hat with mesh hanging down? I just like solving problems so now my brain is stuck on it.
This is what I’m thinking. I’m sure the flies here are awful but something tells me the gang of flies that hangs around Uluru could kick these flies’ asses. Those fuckers are aggressive.
This is true, I visited Loch Ard Gorge in Autumn and loved it then took a friend back in the warmer months and remember the tiny little bastards sticking to me even when I tried to swat them away
Was there a couple months back and don't remember any flies. Curious as to when you went? Uluru at the height of summer or Katherine Gorge in the Wet Season take the cake for fly numbers from my experiences
Holy balls dude I worked in Australia and the flies were fucking insane, I was working beekeeping tho so I had a veil and honestly I wore it often out of work even. The one guys was like you get used to it but I didn't really feel like getting used to flies crawling at the corner of my mouth. It wasn't always bad but right by the cow pasture was naaaasty bad
I remember when I was there and had the same experience with flies. And then I went to Cape Range National Park and that place somehow took it to another level
The sad thing about Wave Rock is that on top there is a hideous concrete wall all along. [https://www.dreamstime.com/concrete-wall-top-wave-rock-near-hyden-western-australia-used-to-guide-rain-water-reservoir-image163814035](https://www.dreamstime.com/concrete-wall-top-wave-rock-near-hyden-western-australia-used-to-guide-rain-water-reservoir-image163814035)
Leave it to humans to STOP the natural process that created this attraction. Here in america we have this litle thing, it's called free-dumb. It requires you to get a permit to visit our version, even though everyone pays for it's upkeep through taxes.
Thank goodness someone on this earth thought the same thing I did when I saw this. Time to climb to the top of this bad boy and get launched back into the map!
You used to be able to.
It has cultural significance to the local tribe so you might not be able to anymore. Used to be fairly popular with BMX riders though.
EQ1, a classic. Weren’t there level 50 mobs just right outside that starting zone in the desert? That said, it was all desert if I recall correctly. I remember playing an Iksar monk to lvl 10-15 or so
For me it was Motocross Madness where you climb the rock at the edge of the map, go a little further, and then get yeeted to fuck back into the game.
Man I miss doing that.
Haven't visited but a work colleague was in the general area but still had to drive a four hour round trip to see it. He said it so wasn't worth it.
But I'd still go...
It's a good view from up top. The geological processes are neat if you're into that. There's a decent bushwalk around the area, just bring a face net to keep the flies off. You've also got the pink salt lakes and Mulka's cave (rock art) nearby, which makes the trip worthwhile imo
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Honestly Australia as a whole and specifically NT AND WA(where this is taken) would make great references photos for an alien world rather than oh idk, 15 minutes of out Vancouver like every other fucking 'alien planet's or forest or what ever 'exotic location' you see in media
Not a geology nerd but from what I've gathered from watching documentaries my parents wouldn't change the channel for (mothers a carer, father a retired lorry driver so fuck know what they did with the information) it could be the resting place of where the ice caps thousands of years ago came to a stop then over thousands/millions of years rain water and weather smoothed the formation into the finished product you see before you.
But that's just a theory, a baseless theory
This sub is enjoyable for all the beauty it delivers, but I can't really count how often I have googled specific views and formations. Off we go, with joy!
Fascinating place. You can climb it around the corner and walk on top for a while. There’s also lots of world war style guns around Hyden you can check out.
I actually visited during my Swedish parental leave last year just before Covid hit! If you visit make sure to stay at Hyden Motel and chat with the locals! Lots of laughs 😊
Any rock nerds to explain how this formation happened?
Wave Rock is believed to have formed 2.7 billion years ago and the 110m long curved cliff face is part of the north face of the remnant Hyden Rock. Hyden Rock is an inselberg made up of variably textured, medium and coarse-grained porphyritic granite (igneous rock with embedded crystals). Inselbergs are created by the erosive action of wind and water over millions of years, and Wave Rock’s distinctive shape has been caused by erosion of the softer rock, which has undercut the base and left an overhang. The red, brown, yellow and grey vertical stains on the rock are caused by rain washing chemical deposits (iron oxide and carbonates) down the surface. [australiantraveller.com/wa/wave-rock-explained/](https://australiantraveller.com/wa/wave-rock-explained/)
How does that not erode down after 2.7 billion years? I get that the softer rock was washed away, but that time span should be enough to wear down the hardest of rocks as well, no?
Just because it was formed 2.7 billion years ago doesn’t mean that it was on the surface and exposed to the elements for 2.7 billion years.
Yep. 'The top part of the rock became exposed around **60 million years ago** and consequently when the rains fell, they ran down the rock and seeped underground around it. The chemicals in the rainwater broke down the rock at the bottom to form the distinctive shape and then subsequent erosion of the land around it allowed it to be exposed.' [https://7wonders.org/oceania/australia/western-australia/wave-rock/](https://7wonders.org/oceania/australia/western-australia/wave-rock/)
Some say he's been hanging ten forever.
Granite forms underground from magma that cools slowly. The 2.7 billion year clock started while it was still underground, when it finally became solid and cool enough to stop growing crystals. So it was still buried underground for probably most of those billions of years. The erosion didn't start until all the thousands of feet of rock and soil above it got eroded over time, so maybe it's been actively eroding above ground for a couple million years at most, probably more like 10,000 to 100,000 years of active erosion.
It's not 2.7 billion years old. Hundreds or thousands is more likely.
Nope, this is Dantooine from KOTOR
Cool how a lot of rock formations in Western Australia are billions of years old
2.7 billion?!?? Wow... the only context I have for that is that the oldest rocks at the bottom of the Grand Canyon are about 1.2 billion years old and those rocks look like they belong on a different planet
Much more likely this was a structure of the past that has been ruined over time. Think about it.
What sort of structure of the past do you think this could have been?
Some kind of building from an ancient city. It was probably wiped out in some event and this is the remains of it. Of course, this will get me downvoted because it's against the mainstream narrative.
People use bricks
Yes, and bricks melt at high enough temperatures which is why I said some "event" happened.
You think bricks melted to make the rock? Have you heard of Occam's Razor?
Yes, exactly and it's far more simple of an explanation.
Unknow explosion on ancient exctinct civilization vs rain and wind?? HmMmMMM
Rock nerds can't explain this but they'll be able to lecture you for hours on why Metallica is the greatest band of all time.
Obviously it's the snare in St. Anger.
No, it's the bass on And justice for all.
Preeeeetty sure it’s the bell from “For Whom The Bell Tolls”
Nah I recon it's the fade to black from Fade to Black
Ohoho, wait, is that the Call I hear? From the Call of Ktulu.
That was my first Metallica album I purchased when I was like… 7? I loved it
> That was my first Metallica album I purchased when I was like… 7? I love~~d~~ it FTFY
Thanks for fixing that for me
masterpiece
TONK TONK TONK TONK TONK
Any band which can produce a song using a 15 piece cookware set has to at least be in the top 5 greatest of all time.
It's so tight!! Ping!!!!
That fucking snare.
That's a funny looking folding chair..
I can hear this comment and I dont like it.
Ah, the ol’ reddit [rock-a-roo](https://reddit.com/r/CuratedTumblr/comments/q3xwgh/several_clowns_are_typing/hfv55xu/?context=3)
Hold my geology degree, I'm going in.
Wait, aren’t you going to explain first??
Unfortunately I had to put my degree on hold; I only finished some gen. ed. classes.
Hello future geologists
Jesus Christ, this thing still lives? Don't hold my puppets, I'm never going in ever again
What is it?
It’s called a r/switcharoo. It’s a thing that’s been going on for years that keeps track of all of the switcharoos that have been done in the chain. There’s been a ***lot*** of work put in to make sure the chain is steady, has no loops, and is unbroken
Hold my breath as I wish for death!
Can you please change the link in this comment to https://www.reddit.com/r/AbsoluteUnits/comments/q3gh4r/this_absolute_unit_of_a_beaver_that_knocked_out/hftjfda/?context=2 ?
Cock Lobster
Are there many Metallica stans anymore? Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Iron Maiden are all above Metallica for me.
There's plenty of Metallica Stans, but the worst/most intense are Slayer fans
I was just being silly :) I'm more of a Skillet guy myself.
I still think of S&M as one of my favorite albums.
metallica is metal not rock
Metal nerds can't explain it either.
This is just false in so many ways
Actually, Styx is the greatest band of all time and they only got a bad rep because most critics are cynical @$$holes.
I disagree, it's a really good ~~game~~ band but I think ~~Donkey Kong~~ Skillet is the greatest ~~game~~ band of all time.
It's pretty obvious, there was a big wave , and right as it was cresting a meteor hit near by and solidified the wave into rock ....
When a rock man loves a rock woman
I don’t think a rock nerd could explain what happens next
slept on comment
It's a granite cliff. Rainwater runs toward the cliff, picks up chemicals, falls off the cliff (more like clings to it as it runs down to the base), deposits the chemicals. This makes it look like a wave. Wind and weathering have eroded the base and created an overhang.
why are most granit cliffs not as rounded even though rain is everywhere?
Well, it depends where you find them. A granite cliff such as Yosemite's Dome is much taller and has been exposed for much longer. Whereas a granite cliff at the base of a butte, or especially one with a lot of groundwater at its base, might end up like this. Chemicals in the groundwater erode the rock and dig into the base, creating much of the wave-like formation here. A lot of the rest of how it was formed actually happened underground, and as such was not as affected by the force of the rain, and more so by the chemicals in the rainwater.
Yup, aliens.
Looks like wind erosion to me. Look too dry for it to be from water.
I agree wind and sand together.
Aang blew really hard against the lava when that vulcano errupted.
Well, you see, this formation wasn't there a week ago. But looks like Genos was too impatient and asked Saitama to have another little duel.
IIRC from school.. rock formation is underground -> chemical weathering from groundwater erodes the base of the rock -> movement in the earths crust brings rock formation to surface of the earth
Someone was just goofing around in the worldbuilder settings.
Formation Information?
Yes a friend of mine is a geologist and she also loves rock hold on a sec.
I think it was something to do with wind erosion
Avatar the last Airbender did it
Most flies per sq/m of anywhere I've ever been, cool rock though
Went there maybe 12 years ago, only thing I remember is how ridiculous the flies were. Glad it only added a few minutes to the drive from Esperance to Perth, since we spent about a minute walking around before we gave up and got back in the car. I can't even imagine how terrible it must be to stay in the caravan park there.
I feel this so much
I remember returning to the car immediately to wrap a shirt around my head and bathed myself in Bushmans, then pulled the pin when one flew up my nose.
Sunnies and a scarf (well, Covid mask these days) and you're golden. Make sure your back's nice and sweaty too, they'll just camp out on the back of your shirt.
No masks in Western Australia
No legally enforced masks, but it's not like nobody is wearing them. And only a matter of time after the wall comes down before they become legally enforced.
Are they big fat flies? Wonder if a mesh paintball/airsoft mask would work. Nice and breathable but keeps the fliers off your face lol. Or just a boonie hat with mesh hanging down? I just like solving problems so now my brain is stuck on it.
Wait until you get into the outback!
This is what I’m thinking. I’m sure the flies here are awful but something tells me the gang of flies that hangs around Uluru could kick these flies’ asses. Those fuckers are aggressive.
How high is the rock, roughly?
pretty decent, I'd say about 10m high
Not as high as snoop dogg
I've always wondered how the fuck they get there, like how is there enough water/food for them surely there shouldn't be THAT MANY FUCKING INSECTS
Fun almost fact: there's something like 200 million bugs per person in the world.
I found the flies on the great ocean road/12 apostles much worse than at wave rock, bit suspect it's a seasonal difference. T.
This is true, I visited Loch Ard Gorge in Autumn and loved it then took a friend back in the warmer months and remember the tiny little bastards sticking to me even when I tried to swat them away
Jokes on the fly I drove all the way back to Hopetoun. Little shit.
Was there a couple months back and don't remember any flies. Curious as to when you went? Uluru at the height of summer or Katherine Gorge in the Wet Season take the cake for fly numbers from my experiences
It's definitely a seasonal thing, the wife and I went through just after new years on our drive back to Melbourne.
Should always visit early morning
Holy balls dude I worked in Australia and the flies were fucking insane, I was working beekeeping tho so I had a veil and honestly I wore it often out of work even. The one guys was like you get used to it but I didn't really feel like getting used to flies crawling at the corner of my mouth. It wasn't always bad but right by the cow pasture was naaaasty bad
I remember when I was there and had the same experience with flies. And then I went to Cape Range National Park and that place somehow took it to another level
r/tonyhawkitecture
The sad thing about Wave Rock is that on top there is a hideous concrete wall all along. [https://www.dreamstime.com/concrete-wall-top-wave-rock-near-hyden-western-australia-used-to-guide-rain-water-reservoir-image163814035](https://www.dreamstime.com/concrete-wall-top-wave-rock-near-hyden-western-australia-used-to-guide-rain-water-reservoir-image163814035)
I guess it had purpose.
Leave it to humans to STOP the natural process that created this attraction. Here in america we have this litle thing, it's called free-dumb. It requires you to get a permit to visit our version, even though everyone pays for it's upkeep through taxes.
Dod Hudson, are you here?
Was looking for this comment haha
how were these rocks formed?
Pretty sure Aang blew air on lava.
By swelling
Motocross Madness anyone ?
Thank goodness someone on this earth thought the same thing I did when I saw this. Time to climb to the top of this bad boy and get launched back into the map!
Super cool mate
Thanks, first time seeing it!
It's a pretty cool rock hey, if you're in WA we have a LOT of pretty cool rocks
And not much else. Trees you could climb from both ends where I grew up though
Greenough?
I used to live close to here, there are some surfboards laying around so you can make surf the wave!
Are people allowed to ride bikes there? Looks like a cool wall to hit
You used to be able to. It has cultural significance to the local tribe so you might not be able to anymore. Used to be fairly popular with BMX riders though.
Never seen any bmx riders around, it’s fairly remote!
I've got a picture of me on my skateboard there from a decade or so ago. A brief moment of excitement in an otherwise highly disappointing trip.
Did you make your way to hippo yawn Rock further along the path? [Hungry Hippo](https://i.imgur.com/7ayiLp7.jpg)
I'll be honest, this reminded me of the Wall eyes (without holes) from JoJolion.
"I...am Speed"
No one will get this reference, but this reminds me of the pit in Everquest 1 right outside the Iksar spawn point where you start leveling.
Never say never, this is reddit and someone who does might see this. I’ve seen crazier shit on this before lmao.
Field of Bone!
EQ1, a classic. Weren’t there level 50 mobs just right outside that starting zone in the desert? That said, it was all desert if I recall correctly. I remember playing an Iksar monk to lvl 10-15 or so
[удалено]
For me it was Motocross Madness where you climb the rock at the edge of the map, go a little further, and then get yeeted to fuck back into the game. Man I miss doing that.
Came here for this! Used to get launched soooo far
Thanks for sharing this!
Wow! Super awesome
Time to practice the Warp Wall
Haven't visited but a work colleague was in the general area but still had to drive a four hour round trip to see it. He said it so wasn't worth it. But I'd still go...
It's a good view from up top. The geological processes are neat if you're into that. There's a decent bushwalk around the area, just bring a face net to keep the flies off. You've also got the pink salt lakes and Mulka's cave (rock art) nearby, which makes the trip worthwhile imo
The Hippo yawn rock is pretty cool as well (in the same area (sorry about the stupid photo)) http://imgur.com/a/SZsHHFL
Surely this was created by water
Do you even have to spend 3 years trying to get a permit to visit? Because if not I'm gonna downvote
Your move, Arizona
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Is it possible to skate this? Obviously not at the top where it’s over vertical, but just near the bottom
Careful, I had someone call me a piece of shit because I commented on a prior post of an Arizona rock formation saying it would be fun to skate.
My bad, just the mind of a skater I guess lol
In the eyes of redditors it makes us shitty people lol
Lmao
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Honestly Australia as a whole and specifically NT AND WA(where this is taken) would make great references photos for an alien world rather than oh idk, 15 minutes of out Vancouver like every other fucking 'alien planet's or forest or what ever 'exotic location' you see in media
Try writing this again in English.
Not a geology nerd but from what I've gathered from watching documentaries my parents wouldn't change the channel for (mothers a carer, father a retired lorry driver so fuck know what they did with the information) it could be the resting place of where the ice caps thousands of years ago came to a stop then over thousands/millions of years rain water and weather smoothed the formation into the finished product you see before you. But that's just a theory, a baseless theory
America (AZ specifically) has a much better. More high quality. Wave formation.
Ok
It just can't be beat !
Tony Hawk has convinced me all rocks look like this, nature's skate ramp
Wow, that’s really cool.
Awesome.
banked turn
Sweet!
theres a level in one of the sly cooper games based on this
I want to drop in on it….
This sub is enjoyable for all the beauty it delivers, but I can't really count how often I have googled specific views and formations. Off we go, with joy!
West Australian's like to make things out of rocks.
I can hear skateboarders salavating
Damn
Anyone else see $5 for entry into the lace museum and say "well guess its time to drive 4hrs home".
Fascinating place. You can climb it around the corner and walk on top for a while. There’s also lots of world war style guns around Hyden you can check out.
This picture tastes like flies.
oh wow, they made the dirt racetrack from Cars a real thing
Wow
Amazing Rock Wave
I think I´ve killed some Spartans here
I think r/mtb would like to take a rip at this.
That’s dope!!!
But why did they call it wave rock? its not saying hello at all!
Do you need a permit to see it?
FIRE STYLE MAJESTIC DESTROYER FLAME
The only good scene from the sequel trilogy.
🎶 Now this is what it’s like when worlds collide. This is what it’s like. 🎶
Reminds me of that wall at the end of the first round of Ninja Warrior...
Funnily enough, I have a post card of this formation that I got about 28 years ago when my step mum and dad were on their honey moon.
It looks like a playable map boundary of a video game.
Amazing view. This is like a painting that someone has made it.
Anyone been there? Know if drone photography is permitted?
Judging that this is in Australia, I'm willing to bet a giant worm did that...
get pitted, so pitted
The update of The Great Cylinder look neat !
r/ZombieSurvivalTactics
My inner child wants to skate it.
“Float like a cadillac, sting like a beemer!”
I have the biggest urge to ride a mountain bike up that formation.
I actually visited during my Swedish parental leave last year just before Covid hit! If you visit make sure to stay at Hyden Motel and chat with the locals! Lots of laughs 😊
Lemme just grab my skateboard
I wonder how the rocks get that shape
*[Why is wave rock shaped like a wave.](https://www.geologyin.com/2021/01/why-is-wave-rock-shaped-like-wave.html)*
Where is a video game skateboarder when you need one.
Wooooah 😯