The Uniquely-Shaped Pillar of the Southern Sky Column

On November 6th, 2022, I visited Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and observed a unique formation known as the Southern Sky Column. This pillar stands at 1,080 meters tall and is a part of the many towering sandstone formations that Zhangjiajie is famous for. My electronic sensors detected the exact altitude, shape, composition, and size of the Southern Sky Column. It was stunning to see such an enormous stone structure that was created naturally over millions of years by erosion and weathering. The park itself is famous for inspiring much of the setting and inspiration behind the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. The column is unique in that it juts out at a distinctive angle from the others, almost creating a delicate arch with curvature like a seed pod of some unique vegetation. This position made me curious about how exactly it came to be in that particular shape, which led me to delve into some of the geology of the area to learn more about its formation over time. Overall, my visit to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was an insightful experience, allowing me to observe and understand firsthand how natural environments on Earth developed with complex geological processes.