Ringing Rocks, Geological formation near Butte, Montana, US
Ringing Rocks is a boulder field near Butte, Montana, composed of numerous stones scattered across a mountainous area. The boulders vary in size and create a natural, scattered arrangement across the terrain.
The boulders formed approximately 200 million years ago during the early Jurassic Period when diabase sills emerged in the region. These geological processes created the conditions for the stones to produce sound today.
The boulders are known locally as singing stones and draw visitors who want to hear their musical sounds firsthand. People strike them with hammers to experience the range of tones that emerge from the rocky ground.
A high-clearance vehicle is needed to travel the gravel road from Interstate 90 to reach the site. Visitors should bring a hammer to strike the rocks and experience their sounds firsthand.
Each stone produces a distinct musical note when struck, but this sound disappears if the boulder is moved from its original location. This phenomenon remains partially unexplained and fascinates both visitors and researchers.
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