Magnetsteine, Natural monument in Nieder-Beerbach, Germany
Magnetsteine is a rock formation that stretches along the ridge at 419.7 meters (1,377 feet) elevation in the Odenwald hills. The cliffs and individual stone blocks lie scattered among trees and offer views into the surrounding forest area from the ridgeline.
The bedrock formed 360 million years ago through volcanic processes during the Paleozoic era. Achilles Andreae and Walter König conducted the first scientific study of the magnetic properties in 1888 and published their findings about the rock composition.
The name Ilbesberg connects to old Germanic ideas about forces in nature showing themselves at this spot. Visitors today find information boards explaining the old stories and the actual geological features.
Hiking trails from the Frankenstein Castle parking area lead through the forest up to the rock groups, with the Alemannenweg path running alongside them. A compass can show the magnetic effects directly on site when held close to the rocks.
Lightning strikes heated the rock above 570 degrees Celsius (1,058 degrees Fahrenheit) and permanently changed the mineral structure, creating a natural magnetic field. The compass needle deviates up to 30 degrees from north when approaching the stones.
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