Peña de Bernal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peña de Bernal |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,510 m (8,230 ft) AMSL |
| Prominence | 350 m (1,150 ft) |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Rock of Bernal |
| Language of name | Spanish |
| Geography | |
| Location | San Sebastián Bernal, Querétaro, México |
| Parent range | Sierra Gorda |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | 65 million years |
| Mountain type | Porphyrytic monolith |
Peña de Bernal (pronounced "PEN-yah deh ber-NAL") is a giant rock formation in Mexico. It's also known as Bernal's Boulder or Bernal Peak. This amazing rock stands about 433 meters (1,421 feet) tall. That makes it one of the tallest natural monoliths in the world! You can find it in San Sebastián Bernal, a small town in the state of Querétaro. Many people visit this famous landmark every year.
How Peña de Bernal Formed
Scientists have studied Peña de Bernal to learn how it was made. They believe this huge rock is actually the hard center of an ancient volcano. Millions of years ago, this volcano stopped erupting. The hot, melted rock (magma) inside it slowly cooled down. It became solid and very hard.
Over a very long time, wind and rain wore away the softer parts of the volcano. This process is called erosion. What was left behind was the tough, solid core. This core is what we see today as the Peña de Bernal monolith.
The Age of the Rock
For a while, people thought Peña de Bernal was formed during the Jurassic period. That would make it very, very old. However, new tests have changed this idea.
Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico did special chemical tests. They found that the rock is much younger than first thought. It likely formed about 8.7 million years ago. This is still a very long time ago, but not as old as the Jurassic period.
Visiting Peña de Bernal
Peña de Bernal is a popular place for tourists. Many people enjoy hiking around the base of the rock. Some even try to climb it. There is a small chapel located high up on the rock. Many visitors make a special trip, called a pilgrimage, to reach this chapel. It's a challenging but rewarding hike.
See also
In Spanish: Peña de Bernal para niños
