With a trip to some basaltic columns in CA just around the corner, I am gripped by guilt. I’m reminded of a post I promised to write a few years ago, one that’s been put off for way too long. It is only right that before I take you to Devil’s Postpile, I transport you to India’s West Coast — to a place called St. Mary’s Island. That was where I first saw these fascinating columns.
St. Mary’s Island is located off the Karnataka Coast — off Udupi, to be precise. It was when we were in Malpe that we had a planned a trip to the island. A half hour boat ride that began at Malpe Beach took us towards a set of islands better known as St. Mary’s Island.
From afar the islands looked like groups of stone pillars kept upright. As we approached the island I could clearly see those rocks that made up the landscape — they really did look very manmade and set up by human hands. But it is anything but that.
Nature’s Handiwork: Columnar Basalts of St. Mary’s Island
The basaltic rocks that make up the islands are a result of a geological phenomenon. A volcanic one at that. These basaltic columns or columnar basalts are actually igneous rocks. Basaltic lava, I learned has the tendency to form deep cracks when cooling down. And the cracking is so deep and systematic that it ends up forming polygonal columns. Fascinating, is it not?
Now maybe I should leave you to think about the process and marvel at the near-perfect shaping of these columns, millions of years ago.
Basaltic Columns of St. Mary’s Island 
These islands are made of these basaltic rock formations that look like pillars 
More of those Basalt Rock Formations
While some rocks here have been weathered by the tides of the Arabian Sea, some of them still stand tall and well defined. It is amazing to see two forces of nature at work here and how the landscape might change over the next few decades.
Linking to
Our World Tuesday
&
Travel Tuesday
>> You might want to read the Malpe Post and see what you are in for when you opt for a ferry ride to St. Mary’s Island — Another Beach, An Island and a Beach On The Island
>>If you would like to see more from the Karnataka Coast — Beach Hopping on the KA Coast
If you, like me, are awe-struck by geological destinations, you are sure to get tipsy reading about, and seeing pictures of trips to these —
>Volcanic Sites
>Rock Formations.
(More posts of this kind have been queued up for publication, so keep coming back for more. ) Happy Tripping, until then. 🙂
For pictures from the road, Like/Follow Tipsy From The TRIP on Facebook. Come, Trip with us.
Hello, beautiful landscapes. The rock formations are cool looking. Pretty coastal photos. Wishing you a happy day and a great new week!
Thank you Eileen.
You have a great week, too.
And Happy Blogiversary, once again. 🙂
They are fascinating and don’t look natural at all.
They really don’t. The columns that are not yet eroded show such well-defined sides.
Thank you for visiting, Fun60. 🙂
These are simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing these; I have not heard of them before.
Worth a Thousand Words
Aren’t they? Nature is AMAZING!
You’ll find some of these in the eastern Sierras. You should go check them out.
Thank you for coming this way M.
Great shots – fascinating rocks
Beautiful shots thanks for sharing information about St Mary’s Island .after seeing beautiful short I will visit this island.👍Div.
Hey Richard,
Long time!
Yeah, do go see the place. It’s not too far away from where you are.
Share pictures, ok. I would love to see them.
Thank you, Carol. 🙂
Have a good week.
What a fascinating place!
😉
The next time you’re on the Karnataka Coast, check it out, ok.
Thank you for stopping by, Mridala. 🙂
Amazing place. Beautiful photos.
Absolutely amazing.
Thank you, Rupam. 🙂
Visited the island a few years back. The visit was very brief as it was going to be sundown soon. Your magnificent photos lets me see things that I might have missed then.
Were the silhouettes of these columns visible or was it a bit too early for that?
I’m so glad that I was able to show you these sights. Actually, this post should have been up ages ago. 😀
Thank you for your visit, Durga Prasad. 🙂
Loved the captures but specially loved the last one.
The formation about the basaltic rocks is really very fascinating.
Hopefully will visit this place one day.
I like the last one too. 🙂
Really interesting sights. You SHOULD go see it sometime, Jyotirmoy.
Thank you so much. 🙂
The rocks sure look lovely in those shimmering hues!
The colour of the water sure seemed to complement those naturally chiselled rocks.
Thank you for coming this way, Mr. Bhatia. 🙂
That is a cool rock formation 🙂
I swear!! 🙂
Wow – amazing landscape!
Isn’t it?
Thank you for stopping by, Lady Fi. 🙂
Beautiful. Reminds me my college days geology classes.
Wow!! You learnt some geology? How awesome!! 🙂
It’s a subject I’ve been very interested in for some time now.
Thank you, Rajat. 🙂
They have eluded me for ages. Must visit!
Oh! you must. And I’m sure you will. 🙂
Next ride — angottu. 🙂
Those pencil like rock formations remind me of some science fiction movie. Whatever the secret they hold, I am glad to be setting my sight on them here.
Fascinating aren’t they? I just got back from another place that’s home to some columnar basalt. And the columns are around 60ft tall here. Amazing!!
Will write about it soon.
It’s always great to hear from you, USP. Thank you so much. 🙂
hi