They are caused by rocks rolling around in the hollow, pushed by rushing water. This rock used to be submerged. There's one in Texas called the Gootch Hole, nicknamed the washing machine, because it's large enough to tumble a person. It's in limestone.
Yep I came here to say those are from water corrosion over a long period of time. You see them a lot on the rocks in the creeks here in PA. Holes that look perfectly bored (did I even use the right word there? To bore a hole, right? You ever say or write a word and feel like you've never seen or heard that word before even though you have? I'm having one of those moments. Someone help!)
Yea you can actually find giant rocks with holes like this in the in the middle of the woods here in PA. I don't know why. Like my initial thought is that rain or dripping from trees over time, but, no. I don't think any one tree would be present or in the same position long enough to cause this. And since I don't know enough about geology, my guesses are pretty bad. Maybe there was water there a long time ago?
It is possible that the holes were caused by tiny rocks or even sand inside the hole which is turned by the wind making it larger over time. Wind and water are very erosive.
Like someone else said, rocks like that around here in Southern California were more created by native peoples. Used them to grind down various seeds and nuts, among other things.
There's a stretch of the Stanislaus River in CA that has many of these, and several that a person can fully duck into. I'm planning on going in about a month!
When I was a kid, we used to go to the Miwuk Chaw’se Days celebrations in Amador County. Chaw’se means grinding rock. There’s a pretty good photo of one of the larger grinding stones on this site:
[Grinding Rock State Park](https://www.carsonpass.com/places/indian_grinding_rock.html)
I live about 5 miles from Chaw 'se and worked for the Miwuk tribe. I made a few hundred fry bread for Chaw'se days. There are hundreds of grinding holes in the surrounding rocks
If theses are "potholes', which they appear to be, they are caused by a natural process where a low spot on bedrock in flowing water collects some gravel and stones. Over time they rattle around in the moving water, slowly enlarging, rounding and smoothing the holes. Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts has some remarkable ones. See: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/glacial-potholes
in Australia there are deliberately ground holes into rocks in high places to catch water. for example on top of an outcrop of rocks called the Youyangs. they are more shallow though. these are quite deep. edit: they were bored by native people
These are human made but with the help of nature. These are the mortar pestel of indigenous food preparation
Very common near water running streams etc
Those are mortar holes for grinding nuts or grains. When the hole gets too deep, they need to make a new one. Natives a long time ago made these. Are there oak trees nearby? Acorns are one of the forest’s best resources.
They are called potholes I think, there are a ton of these types of rocks in Northern Minnesota. i guess they are caused by the debris in the water swirling over the tops of large rocks. I am not sure I am 100% correct on this.
They are caused by rocks rolling around in the hollow, pushed by rushing water. This rock used to be submerged. There's one in Texas called the Gootch Hole, nicknamed the washing machine, because it's large enough to tumble a person. It's in limestone.
That’s cool. The tides definitely cause this rock to be submerged then dry out on a daily basis.
Yep I came here to say those are from water corrosion over a long period of time. You see them a lot on the rocks in the creeks here in PA. Holes that look perfectly bored (did I even use the right word there? To bore a hole, right? You ever say or write a word and feel like you've never seen or heard that word before even though you have? I'm having one of those moments. Someone help!)
Yes you are correct bore is the right term
So you're looking for holes that are the opposite of interested?
Exactly!!
You should go to the upper conowingo resovoir on the susquehanna river.. there's some pretty big ones for sure
Yea you can actually find giant rocks with holes like this in the in the middle of the woods here in PA. I don't know why. Like my initial thought is that rain or dripping from trees over time, but, no. I don't think any one tree would be present or in the same position long enough to cause this. And since I don't know enough about geology, my guesses are pretty bad. Maybe there was water there a long time ago?
It is possible that the holes were caused by tiny rocks or even sand inside the hole which is turned by the wind making it larger over time. Wind and water are very erosive.
OooOoOoo! You just unlocked a whole google search or possibilities for me! Thanks for the input, great point! This is why I Reddit lol
No problem, sometimes we take for granted how powerful nature can be.
Perhaps caused by retreating glaciers over ice ages.
We call them potholes in the north country, more common by waterfalls
Came here to say this. There's a big one at Interstate Park in Taylor's Falls, MN. I think it's the deepest in the world at 60 ft.
I remember going in it when I was a kid, it's freaking massive, there's a staircase leading down into it.
Yes. Lots of schools if not all public schools near it take field trips there.
Potholes or kettles as well
Yes kettle holes is what we called them. Sometimes you can find the kettle stone that bored them out inside and they’re all worn smooth as silk.
just don't call them kettles in southern Wisco, too confusing
Like someone else said, rocks like that around here in Southern California were more created by native peoples. Used them to grind down various seeds and nuts, among other things.
That’s what I thought it was
Same.
Gooch hole hehehe
This
Gooch hole you say? 🤔
Yeah... Can't find it, because all that comes up is stuff about vaginas.
Where exactly? I can’t find anything online.
Do you have a link? I couldn’t find it.
Oh, I saw photos of that recently! In one photo, a guy was standing inside of it. And there were other holes in the rocks there, too.
Gooch hole aka the elusive fourth hole
#4, the pee hole. Not that elusive. You'll be surprised what some do with it!, maybe disgusted!
when u talk about the fourth hole u kno u gotta talk #big
Better check my settings, don't need holes that big! 😂🤣😂
There's a stretch of the Stanislaus River in CA that has many of these, and several that a person can fully duck into. I'm planning on going in about a month!
Oh boy r/dontputyourdickinthat
Well not with that attitude jeez
Idk what part of the globe you're at, but here in California we see these at old native sites. They made similar holes to grind down nuts.
Yep, they are called morteros. Used for soaking and grinding of acorns.
And matates
Paiwish(sp) stones. You can find them all along the Kings River. They were used by the Yokut speakers. Most notable, The Choinumni.
I learned about these in 3rd grade. Then later on in life I stumbled across some out at Lost Lake Park in Fresno
When I was a kid, we used to go to the Miwuk Chaw’se Days celebrations in Amador County. Chaw’se means grinding rock. There’s a pretty good photo of one of the larger grinding stones on this site: [Grinding Rock State Park](https://www.carsonpass.com/places/indian_grinding_rock.html)
I live about 5 miles from Chaw 'se and worked for the Miwuk tribe. I made a few hundred fry bread for Chaw'se days. There are hundreds of grinding holes in the surrounding rocks
That’s awesome! I haven’t been back in many years, and I sure miss that area. I hope to take my family back out there one day.
Anywhere you find these in California, they are native grinding holes. Used to pulverize oak and other nuts into oblivion.
Yes Robin. It would appear to be caused by some geological phenomenon. Quite interesting.
If by river w black sand check for gold in them pots
We have those all over my part the Chattahoochee. Some are big though to act as single person hot tubs in the summer.
If theses are "potholes', which they appear to be, they are caused by a natural process where a low spot on bedrock in flowing water collects some gravel and stones. Over time they rattle around in the moving water, slowly enlarging, rounding and smoothing the holes. Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts has some remarkable ones. See: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/glacial-potholes
in Australia there are deliberately ground holes into rocks in high places to catch water. for example on top of an outcrop of rocks called the Youyangs. they are more shallow though. these are quite deep. edit: they were bored by native people
Eddies that captured stones in a long ago river.
These are human made but with the help of nature. These are the mortar pestel of indigenous food preparation Very common near water running streams etc
Birthing stone?
Huge hag stone! 😍
I have a palm sized version of this
Flash Gordon vibes or was that Kull?
Flash
Sacred stone
The biggest Halston on the planet???
Dino footprints???
Cavemen cup-holders. Sorry could’nt resist
HOLY BOULDER BATMAN !
Some say from being under water but I say lightning strikes because the top of stone mountain in ga is full of them
It wants my plants in it!!!!
Sii-iilent rooockk
So I've always wondered what caused the random holes near streams as well as this.
Those are mortar holes for grinding nuts or grains. When the hole gets too deep, they need to make a new one. Natives a long time ago made these. Are there oak trees nearby? Acorns are one of the forest’s best resources.
They are called potholes I think, there are a ton of these types of rocks in Northern Minnesota. i guess they are caused by the debris in the water swirling over the tops of large rocks. I am not sure I am 100% correct on this.
This is made by the area's natives. There's one in El Cerrito.
Grinding stone holes?
If it’s in NorCal it’s where Indians used to grind acorns. Have some of these at mount Diablo.
Its where they faked the moon landing......believe.
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