#manpupuner

Russia. Manpupuner rock formations

Россия. Гора Идолов Маньпупунер, Республика Коми

From Astronomy Picture of the Day; April 3, 2018:

The Milky Way over the Seven Strong Men Rock Formations Sergei Makurin

SEVEN STRONG MEN

A tribe of Samoyed giants begin their long journey through Western Russia to Siberia. A Shaman, the largest of the pack, leads his men through the Ural Mountains, beating a drum to keep time. Under instruction to wipe out the Mansi people, the 7 Samoyeds journey through the Urals with the Shaman leading the way out in front. As he catches sight of the holy Mansi Mountains, with his breath taken and struck with awe, he drops the giant drum. The deafening bang echoes through the mountain land and gripped with shock, the Samoyed tribe freeze and solidify. Seven giant stone pillars are left, stopped in their tracks on a hilltop. Ok, so that story isn’t entirely true, but all the best natural tourist attractions have folklore attached, and this is no exception. Passed down through the centuries, this tale was a best guess at how these peculiar and intimidating pillars originated.

The Manpupuner Rock Formations or as they are known locally, Seven Strong Men, are located North of the Ural Mountains in the Troitsko-Pechorsky District of the Komi Republic in Russia. Standing tall at 100-140 feet (38-42metres), these enormous monoliths dominate the flat landscape. For a sense of scale, look at the tiny people in the photographs.

So how did the Seven Strong Men get there? Well, putting aside tales of frozen giants, geologists have offered a more scientific explanation. Formed over 200 million years ago and positioned on an unprotected windy hilltop, long exposure to severe Arctic weather has shaped the landscape. The Manpupuner formation are the remains of a mountain, but millions of years of erosion have worn away the soft rock, leaving the tall structures we see today. The stone towers poking up from the ground are the remnants of solid, ancient rock. The Seven Strong Men is a fitting name for true survivors of time and nature.

The Manpupuner Rock Formation was voted one of the Seven Wonders of Russia in 2008, and although a popular attraction in their homeland, they are relatively unheard of outside Russia. Only about 200 people visit these impressive rock formations each year, most likely due to the fact that they aren't easily accessible -- visitors must hike for several days or take a helicopter to reach them. The difficult journey is well worth it though, for as well as great views and photographs, visitors report experiences of overwhelming calm and serenity at the site.

--Beth

Image credits: Republic of Komi Official Portal, http://rkomi.ru/en/services/albom/19/ APOD/Sergey Makurin, https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150126.html Klaus Fengler/Red Bull Content Pool, https://weather.com/…/climber-conquers-seven-giants-rock-fo…

These stone pillars are also known as the “Seven Strong Men Rock Formations” and are associated with many legends. These rock formations stand where once mountains (which eventually eroded) were about 200 million years ago

Name: Man-Pupu-Ner

Lat, Long: 62.2588395,59.2964399

Location: Komi Republic, Russia