Ticklish Rock facts for kids
Ticklish Rock is a very unique rock formation found in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. It's made of a type of rock called sandstone, which is formed from layers of sand pressed together over millions of years. This amazing rock stands right on the edge of a steep cliff. Many people think it looks like a giant, upright hammer!
The main part of Ticklish Rock is a big, flat block of stone. It's about 3 feet (0.9 meters) tall, 8 feet (2.4 meters) long, and 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide. This huge block balances on a much thinner base, or "pedestal," which is only about 18 by 30 inches (46 by 76 cm). It looks like it could wobble, which is why it's called "Ticklish Rock"!
How Ticklish Rock Was Formed
Ticklish Rock is part of a much larger group of rocks in Pennsylvania called the Catskill Formation. These rocks were created a very, very long time ago, during a period in Earth's history known as the Devonian period. This was about 360 to 420 million years ago!
Over millions of years, the rocks of the Catskill Formation have been slowly changed by nature. Ticklish Rock itself was shaped by something called uneven weathering. Imagine rain, wind, and ice slowly wearing away at the rock. Some parts of the rock were harder and stronger, while other parts were softer. The softer parts wore away faster, leaving behind the harder parts. This is how the thin pedestal was left standing, supporting the big block on top. It's a great example of how nature can sculpt amazing things over time!
Images for kids
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The start of the trail to Ticklish Rock
