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Saturday, August 21, 2010

Ringing Rocks

A child strikes a Ringing Rock
Ringing Rocks
Though "Ringing Rocks" are found around the world, they seem to be most prolific in Pennsylvania.  There, several sites throughout the southern region of the state are home to Ringing Rocks -- stones composed largely of diabase, some of which are up to 10' thick.  When struck hard with a hammer, these stones literally ring.  And scientists do not know why.

Ringing Rocks produce their unique sound regardless of their location; they can be broken into smaller rocks and moved anywhere, and still produce their unique, ringing sound.  


In 1890, Dr. J. J. Ott -- backed by a brass band -- played several selections on the rocks for the Buckwampum Historical Society.  But not all of these rocks ring, despite being of the same composition; only about 30% of the rocks are "Ringing Rocks."

Studies have been done, and many theories proposed, but no one is certain why Ringing Rocks... ring!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

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