The Monastery Built on a Volcanic Plug

Posted by Queuebot in Architecture, Travel & Places on May 3, 2009 at 3:05 pm



In central Burma there is a remarkable monastery, Taung Kalat, that sits atop an ancient volcanic plug.  Looking like the possible lair of a Bond villain or maybe ET’s next port of call should he make a return visit, this amazing piece of architecture has weathered many a storm.  However, it may be finally brought down by the neglect of the military Junta that runs this troubled nation.

Yes, that’s right a volcanic plug. It sounds dangerous but at this stage in its life, Taung Kalat poses no threat. A volcanic plug (sometimes called a ‘neck’) is formed when magma, on its way up through a vent on an active volcano, hardens inside the vent. While the volcano is active this could well lead to the mother of all explosions and it would, you have to admit, be a shame if this beautiful monastery was to be catapulted in to the stratosphere. However, the volcano is thought (perhaps we should say hoped) to be extinct.

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(image credit: Flickr user exfordy)

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by taliesyn30.


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9 comments to "The Monastery Built on a Volcanic Plug"

  1. taliesyn30
    May 3rd, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    Would someone mind changing vocanic to volcanic in the title...? My fault, sorry.

  2. Alex
    May 3rd, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    FTFY - good find, taliesyn30!

  3. Jonnie
    May 3rd, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    cool view from the top. Nice place to explore.

  4. Ajan
    May 4th, 2009 at 1:15 am

    wud b great for a trek

  5. Larfin Jackarse
    May 4th, 2009 at 4:01 am

    This always shorts circuits my brain. The effort in putting buildings in the most difficult places to put them.

    Wow.

  6. neatoman
    May 4th, 2009 at 8:12 am

    classic post of something genuinely NEAT. good job, taliesyn30.

    notice how it didn't include anything about something "steampunk" or barack obama? watch and learn people. vote yes on posting neat things on neatorama.

  7. Gauldar
    May 4th, 2009 at 8:16 am

    @Neatoman

    Srsly, are you saying a life size steam punk statue of Barak Obama made of bacon isn't neat?!? Damn, all that wasted time and effort on my part.

  8. neatoman
    May 4th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    @Gauldar,

    LOL. Actually I have to admit that'd be pretty damned neat. But I'm a sucker for bacon, even in the swine flu times we live in today. Save the pigs!

  9. TBV
    May 4th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    "ET's next port of call should he make a return visit"? Wow, you really took the time to type those words, huh? A bold choice. Anyway, I think you're confusing "E.T." with "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". The latter featured aliens landing at Devil's Tower, which sort of resembles the volcanic plug.


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