Basalt Rocks

{{Short description|Geologic formation in Sinop Province, Turkey}} {{Infobox landform | name = Basalt Rocks | other_name = | native_name = {{native name|tr| Bazalt Kayalıkları}} | type = Columnar basalt | image = Boyabat.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Columnar basalt formation in Boyabat, Sinop Province, Turkey. | pushpin_map = Turkey | map_caption = Location of Basalt Rocks in Turkey. | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_label = Basalt Rocks | pushpin_label_position = right | mark = | marker_size = | location = Kurusaray, Boyabat, Sinop Province, Turkey | coordinates = {{coord|41|28|26|N|34|38|27|E|type:landmark_region:TR|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = | range = | part_of = | elevation_ft =  | elevation_ref = | surface_elevation_ft =  | surface_elevation_ref = | highest_point = | highest_elevation = | length = | width = | area = {{Convert|52.374|ha|acres}} | depth = | drop = | formed_by = | geology =  | age = | orogeny = | topo = | operator = | designation = | free_label_1 = | free_data_1 = | free_label_2 = | free_data_2 = | website =  | embed = }}

'''Basalt Rocks''' ({{langx|tr|Bazalt Kayalıkları}}) are volcanic rock outcrops in the form of columnar basalt located in Sinop Province, northern Turkey. The area is a registered natural monument of the country.

It is {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from the center of Boyabat in Sinop Province, and situated in Fındıklık location nearbay Kurusaray village.<ref name="b"/>

The basalt columns were formed about 3-5 million years ago according to research carried out by geologists from Mineral Research and Exploration Co. (MTA) and Dokuz Eylül University.

The basalt formations are situated in three neighboring valleys. The vertically-jointed basalt columns are in polygonal form as rectangular, pentagonal and hexagonal prisms, and are {{convert|30|-|40|m|ft|abbr=on}} high.<ref name="b"/> It covers an area of {{convert|10.249|ha|abbr=on}}.<ref name="mp"/>

The formation, structure, and the outlook of the basalt rocks are rare examples in the world. It was declared a protected area of first grade on March 8, 1996 due to its geological and touristic importance. On September 17, 2007, the local administration applied to the Ministry of Forest and Water Management for acknowledgement as a natural monument.<ref name="b"/> The area was registered a natural monument in 2011.<ref name="mp"/>

==References== {{reflist|30m|refs= <ref name="b">{{cite web |url=http://boyabatlii.tr.gg/Bazaltlar.htm |publisher=Boyabatlı |title=Bazaltlar |language=Turkish |accessdate=2017-01-17 }}</ref> <ref name="mp">{{cite web |url=http://www.milliparklar.gov.tr/belge/ta.pdf |publisher=Milli Parklar |title=Türkiye'nin Tabiat Anıtları |language=Turkish |accessdate=2017-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420132227/http://www.milliparklar.gov.tr/belge/ta.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> }}

Category:Columnar basalts Category:Natural monuments of Turkey Category:Landforms of Sinop Province Category:Protected areas established in 2011 Category:2011 establishments in Turkey Category:Geology of Turkey