Petrified iron ladder

Image from preview.redd.it and submitted by milkshay
image showing Petrified iron ladder

milkshay on May 13rd, 2021 at 17:48 UTC »

The ladder most likely underwent the process of calcification. Being laid on the limestone surroundings known to contain calcium carbonate, when the rainwater poured over, it dissolved the carbonate compounds contained in limestone and subsequently soaked the surface of the ladder in calcium and magnesium ions. Over time, the minerals solidified and petrified the ladder's surface. Although researchers estimate the ladder is roughly 150 years old, it's unclear how it became petrified in such a short span of time.

GreenTTT on May 13rd, 2021 at 17:50 UTC »

Is the structure stronger or weaker now?

umop_apisdn on May 13rd, 2021 at 18:56 UTC »

I recognise this very ladder! It's in the Jura in France, just south of Baume-les-Messieurs on the way to the Grottes de Baume (Exact location: https://goo.gl/maps/3pcgHPQ2UrRjkMAh9). When I went it was also completely dry like this, which makes me think that the photo was taken at around the same time; it was extremely dry that summer so all of the waterfalls that we went to see were nearly completely devoid of water - which was disappointing in one sense, but interesting in another because most people will have never seen them like that. There are loads of waterfalls in the area and the 'reculees' are incredible; as if a giant has scooped out huge swathes of earth with their hand.

Edit: my photo is here