INSPIRED BY NATURE
Viewing stone appreciation is inspired by natural geological features, biological entities—people, animals, plants—and less so by artifacts—boats, huts, bridges. In this new section, we will be featuring unusual geological elements that can or have influenced the collection of an unusual rock to view for its aesthetic qualities. We want you to look to nature for guidance to the types of rocks to add to your collection.
Yehliu Geopark Park, Taiwan
This highly unusual rock formation occurs in the Yehliu Geological Park, on the rugged coastline of the northern tip of Taiwan. A combination of geological processes—sedimentation, weathering, and erosion- contributes to numerous formations that suggest a person’s head, a large shoe, mushrooms, candles, and an animal-like figure overlooking the sea. A large eroded rock like this encourages rock collectors to go beyond mountain-shaped stone and search for small rocks that suggest figures.
This small Japanese viewing stone from Hokkaido, Japan, is reminiscent of the large geological animal-like rock form in the Yehliu Geological Park.
