Such unusual stone formations in the form of spiral columns were discovered on the shores of Crowley Lake, California, USA. It happened after the construction of a reservoir in the upper reaches of the Owens River in 1941, along the eastern shore of the lake, strange formations were opened up in the form of columns up to 6 meters high, connected by arches, they looked like man-made structures of ancient Greek architecture.
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| Crowley Lake Reservoir Columns |
Until 2015, this place was not subjected to any research, since these mysterious columns of natural origin, covered with soft rocks, were hidden from people's eyes under the water column for millions of years. And only thanks to the Los Angeles Department of Water Resources and Energy, which created a reservoir in this place, after which unusual formations appeared from the water. In 2015, geologists from the University of California Berkeley became interested in them and decided to conduct a serious study.
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| Crowley Lake Reservoir Columns |
Scientists in the course of the study used various modern equipment and methods, using X-ray diffraction analysis and electron microscopy, geologists were able to determine the approximate age of the columns. We also learned that they were formed as a result of snowmelt, when cold water seeped down through hot volcanic ash, which was the result of a catastrophic explosion 760,000 years ago. Without going into details, scientists explained the appearance of the columns by the fact that they served as convection heat pipes, in which minerals were collected, thanks to which these columns were able to withstand the destructive force of the waves of the lake.
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| Crowley Lake Reservoir Columns |
According to preliminary estimates, there are about 5,000 such stone pillars on an area of 4,000 hectares. In addition, the stone columns of Crawley Lake are divided into groups that differ in shape, size and color. Also, some formations resemble statues, stone castles, all these columns seem so mysterious and so ideal that it is even hard to believe that all these labyrinths of helical columns were created not by man, but by nature.