Sunday, March 11, 2012

Monaco may be the second smallest country in the world, but that does not limit it's endless geographic features. Probably the most interesting and largest tourist attraction of Monaco is The Rock of Monaco. Looking closely at the rock, you can recognize many features that have been created by weathering. 

You first notice the massive joints, or fractures, in the side of the Rock of Monaco. These joints create spaces in the rock, ideal for rock climbing, as seen below. These joints were likely created by the faulting or folding of the tectonic plates in which Monaco is located. We know this because the joints are vertical. 

Rock Of Monaco, coronn.com

When you look close at certain parts of the rock walls, you also see some vegetation that grows out of the rock. The joints in the rock allow the small shrubs to grow through. 

dalje.com

Another thing you notice on the large walls of the Rock of Monaco is the round holes sunk into the side. These hole-looking features are called "tafoni". Tafoni is created by cavernous weathering, or salt weathering. You can see small examples of tafoni in the picture below. 

coronn.com