Below are a series of images of fossilized ripples from close to where I live and where I love to hike.
These ripples are common in quartzites of the Magalieberg mountain ranges.
The quatrzites are sand stones were baked solid by the volcanic intrusions of the bushveld Igneous complex.
The sand stones and other layers were deposited over the course of 300 million years in alternating shallow and deep water. At this time the earths atmosphere had very little oxygen and so they are yellow to white in color. The reddish stains, on some of them, are external only and more recent, from when the climate was tropical to sub-tropical.
The rock forms bedding planes along these ripple layers as these usually represent the termination or a change in deposition. The solidified rocks then more easily split apart along these bedding planes to reveal the ripples
These ripples are beautifully preserved and very similar to what we would find in an area with shallow moving water
These are negative casts on the underside of a rock shelf where the lower rock with the ripples has broken away.
More common less well preserved ripples
Ripples in two directions, showing changes in directions of currents while the sand was being deposited.
If you care to read more about the Magaliesberg mountain range Wikipedia has some nice stuff
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magaliesberg
Up until now I wouldn't have thought rocks could be interesting, but you have convinced me otherwise @gavvet. Nice post.
Rocks are like books, once you learn how to read their language, they are the library and archive of the earth
Good stuff here! Love geology!
Hi @gavvet, what's the process to get featured. Would love to feature one of my articles. Just did a write up on WikiLeaks exposing Hillary Clinton connection to ISIS. and another on a Journey That was 8 Years in the making
Hit me on steem chat, if its good and origional and different and...I'll look at it
Gotta love mother nature! Isn't she the best architect/designer there is? Such beauty!
ah @gavvet always an interesting story from my fellow saffer.
is fascinating as vestiges of millions of years are preserved 8]
Very similar to the petrified dune from the sandy desert. Nature is a strange sculptor, but very talented though.
Yip, very similar... sand stones from deserts are generally red... yellow or white from sea deposition
Our sands are usually more yellow or white at all. May be because our lands were under glacier a "few" times ago, later it melted and washed off red clay particles in sands. We have layers of bright sand and red clay practically without stones now. No rocks, no climbing. Plain landscape)
Gavvet, you are my spirit animal with these geology and archaeology posts. I've never thought to visit South Africa for their geological and fossil wonders, but now I'm tempted! Thank you!
Wow looks interesting, i never saw this kind of rocks. Thanks for posting.
The first picture looks like the footprint of a Birkenstock wearing giant. I'm not sure if you follow archaeology at all, but these ripples remind me of the tops of the stone structures at Gobekli Tepe. And the change of flow direction in the last picture makes it almost like like a latticework. Great shots man.
will have to check it out..
These are huge! It makes me happy to see that it's in a good state and almost untouched. Hope it stays for the next generations there
These are very common
intresting story, tnx
Great pics keep up the good work
Wow, that's just amazing, how the hell does nature do this lol.
👍amazing post @gavvet
Like your photos, fellow South African. What is the hiking route's name you found these rocks?
Cool! :) Do you also see this?