MNN Galleries

13 natural rock formations that look man-made

14 of 15

The Wave

Not to be confused with Wave Rock, The Wave is a gorgeous, rolling sandstone rock formation in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona. With its bands of red, pink, yellow and white, it's a popular destination for photographers, but due to its popularity and sensitivity to foot traffic, the state issues only 10 permits a day for visitors.

Two major troughs form The Wave: the first is 62 feet wide and 118 feet long, and the second is 7 feet wide and 52 feet long. Those two troughs were first formed through water erosion from run-off from a nearby drainage basin. But as that basin shrank, water flow stopped, though wind erosion continues.