We … Mysteries in the Plain of Jars, Laos. As part of his work, he documented the concretions in a seaside sketch dated to 1848. Geological curiosities. Each boulder began with a fragment of shell, plant or bone particle acting as a core for the mineral calcite to precipitate around. Appearing like a congregation of planets, the stones, with their sheer size and nearly perfect shapes, give birth to an alien landscape. It took about 4 million years for the largest boulders to form to their current size. Miscellaneous series 9. Each may have started as a core of fossil shell, bone fragment, or piece of wood. The occurrence of septaria is a rather mysterious process and scientists are not exactly sure what causes them. With that being said, there are still quite a few, and from a geologic standpoint there is no denying the marvels that they are. It is stunning. From there I decided to head over to the famous Moeraki Boulders for a coffee and a bit of relaxing before journeying north. The boulders range anywhere from 3ft-7ft in diameter, and weigh several tons. Accordingly, the Moeraki Boulders formation began on the ancient seafloor sediments 60 million years ago, during the early Tertiary period. It is home to gigantic round and irregular concretions averaging 3-4 meters in diameter. Stroll along the beach from Moeraki Boulders Scenic Reserve car park and picnic area. Beginning 65 million years ago, this rock formation spans about half of the tertiary period (through the Paleocene, Eocene and Oligocene) ending about 13 million years ago. Tourist information says the boulders were “exposed by erosion of sedimentary rocks laid down from 65 to 13 million years ago. See this news item. Fossilized animals have been found within some of the nucleus cores of the concretions. The Moeraki Boulders: Not Your Typical Beach Balls. On Moeraki beach you’ll count over 50 boulders of different sizes. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The Moeraki Boulders lie in Otago, on the east coast of South Island, New Zealand. The sediments containing the boulders would have been deposited very late in the global Flood or just afterward—about 4,500 years ago. ( Log Out /  I have visited the site many times & each time is different. Not all concretions are round, although many of them that form in layers of sediment tend to be spherical. In geological terms that may well be true, but that means that the boulders are at least fifty six million years old. Does the Kaimanawa Wall Re-Write New Zealand’s History? His work on Iguanodon had a significant influence on the study of dinosaurs. Subsequently, Geologic activity caused an uplifting of the mudstone out of the sea to create the cliffs along the beach. Taking around 4 million years to form their current size. ( Log Out /  It is an easy (and very scenic) drive on State Highway 1 from the north or south. Maori ancestors occupied the vicinity of the Otago Coast for hundreds of years, beginning around the 13th century CE. Tourists can walk the beach to get a close-up view. The largest of the spheres took up to 5 million years to grow to their fullest form. According to scientists, the formation of these concretions began approximately 60 million years ago within the muddy Paleocene marine sediments of the Moeraki Formation. Who can argue with that? The Moeraki boulders are on NZ's South Island East Coast about 80 Km north of Dunedin, a nice day trip. For those who don’t want to get their feet sandy, there is also a viewing platform overlooking the area. We stopped in our tracks to take in the beauty of the lake. One layer at a time, the boulders grew larger over the years. Moeraki is on the east coast of New Zealand. This steppe site is near the town of Shetpe. Plus, dessert for dinner? Change ). The Mysteries of New Zealand’s Kaimanawa Wall. Take a walk to the Moeraki Boulders – geological marvels, exposed by erosion of sedimentary rocks laid down from 13 to 65 million years ago.. How long will it take? New Zealand!” I can hear the cheers from Texas already.). The Boulders are about 40km (approx 30 minutes drive) … The Moeraki Boulders are huge spherical rocks on Koekohe Beach on the Otago coast of New Zealand’s South Island. These boulders are located on Koekohe beach. Inside some of the crumbling stones, the centers are hollow, perhaps having decomposed over time. The underlaying sand of the boulders was slowly washed away by the wind and water moving the individual boulders towards the ocean. We showcase some of the very best photos of the Moeraki Boulders and the surrounding area on our Photos page.. Maori legend tells that the boulders are remains of calabashes, kumaras and eel baskets that washed ashore after the legendary canoe, the Araiteuru was wrecked at nearby Shag Point (Matakaea). “Midway between the Bluff and Moeraki, the clay contains layers of septaria [concretions], varying from one to five feet and more in diameter. ALSO, (non-geology related) suggestion for anyone who plans to make a visit to the boulders… Go at sunset. The most massive boulders have become estimated to take about 4 million years to get to the current size. Hundreds of these nodules, which had been washed out of the undermined clay cliffs by the encroachment of the sea, were scattered along the beach, as represented in the sketch, fig. As the sedimentary rock layers the boulders formed in are were eroded away, the harder, more resistant concretions were left behind. Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. The Moeraki Boulders are unusually large and spherical boulders on Koekohe Beach near Moeraki on New Zealand’s Otago coast. Mantell’s father, Gideon Mantell (1790-1852), was also a geologist and paleontologist. Their goal was to find and bring back kumara sweet potato plants to grow back home. Before scientific inquiry, humans viewed the world and nature from a magical and wondrous perspective. Image Credit Flickr User RossHuggett 5. Scientists believe the boulders to be calcite concretions which were formed an estimated 65 million years ago. The Moeraki Boulders are huge spherical stones that are scattered over the sandy beaches, but they are not like ordinary round boulders that have been shaped by rivers and pounding seas. Sadly, many of the boulders have disappeared. He said the council would be working with DOC to increase awareness and help deter the … Although the place is now protected, it continues to be plundered. Having cemented with minerals, these concretions became significantly harder than the sediment surrounding them. The earthquake near Kaikoura in late 2016 has allowed similar boulders to be viewed following the uplift of the seafloor in that event. The Moeraki Boulders are huge, almost perfectly round boulders in the Koekohe Beach on the Moeraki Peninsula in the Otago region of New Zealand. A number of the spheres are cracked and display a turtle-like mosaic. According to scientists, the formation of these concretions began approximately 60 million years ago within the muddy Paleocene marine sediments of the Moeraki Formation. (New Zealand Department of Conservation). The Boulders. A Continent on the Move: New Zealand Geoscience into the 21st Century. I found it fitting that this be the first kiwi geologic landmark that I wrote about. Without resistance or lack of material from any one direction, the concretions were able to form equally and nearly perfectly from each directional point. Sexiness of Stink: Historical Attraction to Body Odor. As the sedimentary rock layers the boulders formed in are were eroded away, the harder, more resistant concretions were left behind. They have inspired many legends. Apparently there are still boulders in the cliffs waiting to drop onto the beach! How Were the Moeraki Boulders Formed? Koutu – Hokianga District, North Island, New Zealand. To visit the boulders, head to Koekohe Beach, between Moeraki and Hampden on State Highway 1. Each concretion began with an organic nucleus, “such as a leaf, cone, shell, fish-bone, or other relic of plant or animal” (Geikie:96). Graham, I. J. It was a beautiful afternoon and I popped the back of the van open and put the kettle on for some hot water to take with me as I walked for a while down the beach towards the famous boulders. Maori legends provide one explanation of the boulders’ creation, while science proposes others. But, drive out to the area in the late afternoon to really make a trip out of it. I first saw the Moeraki Boulders while browsing ‘New Zealand Attractions’ on Pinterest some time ago, and I just knew we had to get there. The stones themselves are decomposing and cracking, and a number of them now lie in shattered pieces across the beach. © 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The Moeraki boulders date from the Paleocene epoch which translates as the early recent. Each boulder weighs several tonnes and is up to two metres high.Scientists explain the boulders as calcite concretions formed about 65 million years ago. They are concretions from the marine mudstone of the Paleocene Moeraki Formation, presumed to be accumulations of an outer shelf setting that stretches from Moeraki north to Oamaru. 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