The Tor of Combestone

Part of the granite outcrop of Combestone Tor, Dartmoor, Devon, England, UK

Combestone Tor is popular with many a visitor to Dartmoor National... more

by Michaela Perryman

Title

The Tor of Combestone

Artist

Michaela Perryman

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Part of the granite outcrop of Combestone Tor, Dartmoor, Devon, England, UK

Combestone Tor is popular with many a visitor to Dartmoor National Park, being an excellent geological site that offers gorgeous views over the surrounding valleys. It also helps that the tor (old Celtic for a rocky outcrop or pinnacle) is situated less than 70 metres from a nearby car park, mean-ing that it can be enjoyed by everyone rather than only the most experienced climbers.

These outcrops, like the many tors found throughout Dartmoor National Park, are formed through freeze-thaw action over the course of millions of years. Before the Ice Age, when the surrounding land was fertile and covered with trees, water would seep into the bedrock and clean the dirt from above it, exposing it to the elements. When a cooler climate took over and the temperature would rapidly vary over the course of the day, the exposed rock was eroded by the water within it being frozen (and hence expanded) and unfrozen repeatedly.

Featured in
England, Scotland Wales 25/04/2020
Off the Beaten Path 25/04/2020
Exploration Photography 20/06/2021
National Parks 05/10/2021
Devon and Cornwall 07/10/2021

Uploaded

March 21st, 2020