Overhanging Cliff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Overhanging Cliff |
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Basalt columns at Overhanging Cliff
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| Location | Yellowstone National Park, Park County, Wyoming, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°53′44″N 110°23′22″W / 44.89556°N 110.38944°W |
Overhanging Cliff is a cool natural rock formation found in Yellowstone National Park. It's a tall cliff made from a special type of rock called basalt. This cliff actually hangs out over a road known as the Grand Loop Road. You can find it just north of the famous Tower Fall area. It's part of the northern edge of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
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Overhanging Cliff: A Yellowstone Landmark
Overhanging Cliff is a striking sight in Yellowstone. It's known for its unique shape and the type of rock it's made from. The cliff gets its name because parts of it literally "overhang" or stick out above the road below. This makes it a memorable spot for visitors driving through the park.
What is Basalt?
The cliff is made of basalt, which is a common type of volcanic rock. Basalt forms when lava cools down very quickly. When basalt cools, it often shrinks and cracks into interesting shapes. These shapes can look like tall, many-sided columns. Imagine giant pencils or pipes standing upright – that's what basalt columns can look like! The photo of Overhanging Cliff shows these amazing basalt columns clearly.
Where is Overhanging Cliff Located?
Overhanging Cliff is located in the beautiful Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Wyoming, United States. It's specifically found along the Grand Loop Road, which is a historic road that takes visitors to many of Yellowstone's famous spots. The cliff is situated on the north rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, not far from the impressive Tower Fall.
How it Got its Name
The name "Overhanging Cliff" was likely given by one of the early explorers of the Yellowstone area. Historians believe it was named by David Folsom in 1869. Folsom was a member of the Cook–Folsom–Peterson Expedition. This expedition was one of the first groups to explore and map parts of what would later become Yellowstone National Park. They gave names to many of the natural features they discovered.
