Fairy chimneys and cave dwellings in Cappadocia, Türkiye

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Sedimentary, my dear. International Rock Day

Are you ready to make some noise? It's International Rock Day! Wait, not that sort of rock. Today, we're all about granite, limestone and slate. There are three types of rock: igneous are formed from solidified magma and lava; sedimentary rocks are layers of sedimentary particles such as sand; and metamorphic rocks are the result of heat and pressure on other kinds of rock.

Today's image takes us to Cappadocia in central Türkiye and its stony structures known as fairy chimneys. These cone-shaped pillars are made of tuff, a sedimentary rock that forms as volcanic ash and debris accumulates. In the sides of the rocks, ancient residents of the area carved homes and churches. The area is also famous for its underground cities, which were cut out of the tuff to provide shelter and safety. This is just one of the many uses for rocks that humans have come up with throughout history.