It’s hard to sense just how hot the core of the earth is and what it is like where two tectonic plates meet, one subducting below the other. The heat so intense that rock melts and swirls into patterns such as we see here and in the rocks I posted yesterday.
At one time I could have photographed this from close up but after a few accidents the potholes have been fenced off from above so I had to shoot this with the 100-400 doubled for framing. But that resulted in a reasonably sharp image throughout where closer would have required either stacking or a tilt/shift lens which I don’t own. This was the more interesting of the abstract patterns but there are many to choose from.
The potholes are created over time. At first by the motion of the water flowing over the surface of the rock bed removing the softer areas and loose grain until a depression is formed. A rock, or in this case two, gets settled into the depression and the continuing flowing motion over an eon or two wears away more stone until a hole is formed, permanently capturing the rock, water swirling it around the hole, and enlarging it.
The area is called the Glacial Potholes but, as one geologist pointed out, they are actually “post-glacial” since they were not formed until after the glacier had receded.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Great swirls. They look like something I’d expect to see out west. The pothole’s attractive, too.
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There certainly is more open land out west for the bedrock to expose itself in. It was a pleasant surprise to see them and I’ll definitely return.
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Beautiful abstract. Too bad it was fenced out though. That’s becoming more and more common as more people are out in nature and get into accidents.
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Thanks, Alessandra. The other side of that coin is what people do to places like this. Our natural areas take a beating from visitors lately.
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Fascinating to see these photos, Steve, and the magnificence of earth. Very gneiss. I thought this was from Yellowstone until I read your tags, will go see yesterday’s post.
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I don’t travel but Yellowstone would be a place I’d like to visit. Have you posted from a trip there? You do such great travelogues. There is much beauty in our geography. Visiting places where it is revealed for our viewing must be quite a pleasure. A favorite photographer who was inspirational in my early days is Freeman Patterson. He published a fine book “Portraits of Earth” which you might enjoy. Thanks, Jet!
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Thank you, Steve, for the warm words, info and link…much appreciated.
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You are most welcome, Jet. And thank you.
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Your post clearly demonstrates that inorganic material can also be fabulous. The shapes of the once molten rock are very attractive.
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The Earth’s forces are not to be trifled with. Thanks, Peter.
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nice
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Thank you!
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I’m fascinated by the smooth interior walls of the pothole. I’d love to run my hand over it; it looks even smoother than some of the water-tumbled rocks I’ve collected over the years. I didn’t say so when I saw your previous photo, but the first image looks for all the world like unbaked cream cheese brownies after a knife has created the swirls in the batter.
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Oh, now you’ve done it. Waffles and maple syrup followed by cream cheese brownies. Num num.
Yes, those walls are very smooth. Sadly I can’t go down there and sample the texture but it does seem as polished as the stones that come out of one of the machines.
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Well written, Steve – you actually made everything clear. It’s always hard to imagine those geological forces in action. I remember a spot somewhere in Maine with potholes like that, and I could look at them all day. There’s something about rounded rock. I hope you keep going back – it’s not too far, is it?
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I was mistaken, the potholes area I saw is near Austin Falls, in the Adirondacks, north of Wells. Just a hop, skip, and a jump for you. 😉
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That’s good to know. I used to go camping on the West Branch of the Sacandaga River in Wells and my grandparents had a cabin in Northfield near the Sacandaga reservoir. No, not too distant.
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It’s about a forty minute drive so not too far away. That part of the state is very inviting and is home to the little old growth we still have here. I’ll definitely be back. Thanks, Lynn. MY writing skills leave a lot to be desired but every once in a while…. 🙂
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I was joking about Austin Falls being not far – I think it’s 3 – 4 hours away from where you live? But maybe I misunderstood what you’re saying.
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I understood it to be a few hours. Doable compared to traveling to one of the National Parks.
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Those potholes are something special. Living by them all my life, I tend to take them for granted, just like I do Chapel Falls. Thanks for putting them in the spotlight in order to appreciate just how marvelous they are!
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Glad that you enjoyed this, Eliza. I imagine you visited them close up before the fence was erected. I’d love to be able to do that now but it is dangerous.
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Yes, a stupid few party-ers ruined it for the rest of us, alas. We used to take the kids down there and there were plenty of safer areas to explore. It was like a bunch of mini-swimming pools. 🙂
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That’s the sad reality at so many of the popular natural spots in recent years. Stupid self-endangering activity is bad enough but the damage/defacing done to ancient locations is downright criminal.
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Gneiss is pretty hard stuff, too, so imagining it swirling fluidly like that helps convey the intense heat. Beautiful patterns. I saw potholes like that drilled into a little island in the Mohawk River, in Little Falls, NY. Also really dense, hard rock but I don’t remember what kind.
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These are among the largest potholes in the world and I believe one is the largest…at least in the U.S. The power and strength of water’s flow literally can move mountains…and create holes as large as caverns.
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I love the bit of geology lesson here. It’s been so long since I really stopped to think about these things. Seeing the pothole has me wondering if this same sort of feature is what causes the holes that whitewater kayaks can become stuck in when the current is strong.
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I guess that’s a possibility but I know nothing of kayaking, nor the hazards involved, so cannot say.Glad you enjoyed the post, Todd.
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The swirls are a dramatic illustration of the state of the once-molten rock. Something that’s hard to imagine otherwise. I like the potholes with their captive rocks. 🙂
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Those captive rocks just keep working away making the pothole larger and smoother. It’s hard to imagine how hot the core of our Earth is at all times and how cold it can be up here. Geothermal would be a good way to heat our homes but I am sure we’d find a way to mess that up.
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Iceland has its geothermal heating – but I’m not so sure I’d want to live near active/recently active volcanoes…
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Yeah, maybe not worth the trade off.
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Maybe depends how close you are to the volcano….eeek!!
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Interesting! Love the pothole used as a container for the rocks!
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Usually there is just one rock in these but this one decided to double its pleasure. 🙂 I’m looking forward to my next visit there.
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