The Evolution of Sea Caves: a geological story, with pictures

[xenith]

These are bit bigger than usual. Sorry. Actually, I'm not sorry. I would have preferred them to be even bigger but most computer monitors don't come in that size.


The coast around the Tasman Peninsula can be a bit steep in places, so you get some interesting geological formations. The best known started as sea caves, holes worn in the cliffs by the constant action of the sea, and connected to the outside by a tunnel.


The sea continues to act on the cave, and eventually the roof collapses and you get something like the Blowhole.


I seem to remember this with bigger, noisier waves crashing against the side. Possibly the tide makes a difference.

(I was reading the journal of Charles O'Hara Booth (first commandant at Port Arthur) and the Franklins came down to visit the settlement, so Booth takes them sightseeing. He takes them here and he takes them there and he takes them to the Blowhole.)


There's the tunnel out to sea.


That's a better wave. It's not a better photo.


Tasmans Arch: this former cave has lost even more of its roof.


The problem with photos is there's no sense of scale (note the people behind the fence). Nor can you lean over the fence and see how far, far down it reaches


And then with the total loss of the cave roof is the Devils Kitchen.





And while I have your attention, I another odd little rock formation that I'll post. Those who have been there might be able to guess what it is. Oh, and Doo Town, but I don't think I got any good photos.