For many basalt may mean nothing more than plain volcanic rock, but when Mother Nature puts her mind to it, she can use it to create natural masterpieces like the ones you are about to see. Here are the world’s most beautiful “basalt organs”, proof of nature’s artistic sense and mathematical genius.

Giant’s Causeway – Northern Island

Often referred to as The Eighth Wonder of the World, Giant’s Causeway is a formation made up of about 40,000 basalt columns. Geologically, the causeway is the result of an old volcanic eruption. The lava came into contact with cold water and its rapid cool-down formed the basalt columns we see today.

Legend has it the Giant’s Causeway is what remains of a path built by the Irish giant Finn McCool in order to battle the Scottish giant Benandonner, who was always taunting him. Using an elaborate scheme, McCool managed to defeat his stronger opponent, who fled back to Scotland and destroyed the causeway behind him.

The Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction.

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The Garni Gorge – Armenia

If you happen to visit Armenia, you should take the opportunity to visit the Garni Gorge, 23 km east of Yerevan. Giant vertical basalt columns seem like they link the earth to the sky if you’re standing right next to them at the bottom.

Traveling to the Garni Gorge can only be done by car or by foot, but once there you can enjoy fantastic scenery that looks carved out of a fantasy novel.

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Devil’s Postpile - USA

Located near Mammoth Mountain, in Eastern California, Devil’s Postpile is a columnar basalt formation created by a lava flow, many hundreds of thousands of years ago. With its columns reaching up to 60 feet into the air, Devil’s Postpile also displays unusual symmetry. Unlike other similar sites, Devil’s Postpile displays many more hexagonal columns and lacks any horizontal joining.

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Jusangjeolli – South Korea

Stretching 2 km along the coastline, the 20 meters basalt columns of Jusangjeolli look like giant sentinels guarding Jeju Island. The spectacular beauty of Jusangjeolli Cliffs makes it one of the most visited sights in Korea, although the island alone offers many other interesting attractions.

Formed around 250,000 years ago, as a result of cooled and compressed lava, Jusangjeolli has suffered many weather-induced transformations, but managed to maintain its imposing façade.

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Fingal’s Cave – Scotland

Fingal’s Cave is a sea cave built entirely out of perfectly hexagonal basalt columns. Ships cannot enter but cruises in the area include a pass by so tourists can inspect nature’s masterpiece up close and some even stop in the area to allow people to climb on top of the cave.

It was discovered in 1772 and since then it has become both a rare wonder in the geological world and an important site on Scotland’s travel map.

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