Exclusive Edition - The Ultimate Field Guide to Photography: Buy Now!
Home
Animals
Daily News
Environment
Games
Green Guide
History
Kids
Maps
Music
Photography
Science & Space
Travel & Cultures
Video
National Geographic Channel
Magazines
National Geographic
Traveler
Adventure
Shop
Subscriptions
TV & Film
Travel With Us
Our Mission
Visit our Online Shops
Books & Atlases
Clothing & Accessories
DVDs
Maps
Catalog Quick Shop

Sign up for free

Newsletters

Once a month
get new photos
and expert tips.

Sign up

Patterns in Nature: Rocks
PREVIOUS5 of 10NEXT
Photo: Coyote Buttes, Arizona
Photo: Lichen on slatePhoto: Painted hillsPhoto: Crystal patternsPhoto: Rock swirls in Moab, UtahPhoto: Coyote Buttes, ArizonaPhoto: Patterned rockPhoto: Ropy strands of red-hot lavaPhoto: Sandstone canyon wallsPhoto: Eroded rocks on a California beachPhoto: Sandstone at Petra, Jordan
ENLARGEWALLPAPER
Patterned sandstone creates an optical illusion in the Wave rock formation, part of Coyote Buttes in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona.
Photograph by Frans Lanting

Related Photo Galleries
Photo: New Mexico sand dunes

Patterns in Nature: Sand

Photo: A close view of a green leaf

Patterns in Nature: Plants

Photo: Diatoms and butterfly scales

Microscopic Earth

Image: See all science and space photo galleries

Related Topics
Nature and Weather Galleries
Nature and Weather Wallpapers
Nature and Weather Photos
Gallery: Milestones in Photography

Special Advertising Section
Image: Pink prize ribbon

Photo Contest

Out of 12,000 entries received, find out who takes home the Grand Prize!
Photo: Glass of water

Take Quiz

Eighteen percent of the world's population can't get safe drinking water. Test your water knowledge.

Learn More

Photo Tip of the Week

Long Exposures

When making long exposures, use a remote release to avoid camera movement. If you don't have a remote release, use the camera's self-timer.

More Photo Tips

The Complete National Geographic
Photo: The Complete National Geographic product

Explore 120 years of amazing discoveries, fascinating maps, and the world's best photography.

Shop Now

Photography Guides
Photo: Ultimate Field Guide book cover

Guides by National Geographic photographers.

Buy Guides

The National Geographic Image Collection Book
Photo: The Image Collection book cover

Own images from one of the finest and most extensive image collections on Earth.

Shop Now