Shaping a grotto
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382107)
Rockingham, Australia
July 13, 2018 6:30am CST
While on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, we climbed down to the Grotto. This has been formed by erosion from the coast – and from inland.
Water from a swampy depression has percolated through the 10-20 million year-old limestone of the escarpment here. Over thousands of years, the limestone has slowly dissolved. A depression or ‘sinkhole’ formed and eventually the grotto forms.
Rust-coloured pebbles, known as ‘buckshot, lay scattered near the top of the limestone and were formed when magnetic iron-rich particles were drawn together in the still waters at the bottom of the swamp.
The photo shows the ocean under the ‘bridge’ then water which has collected in a depression under the arch.
22 people like this
21 responses
@Jessabuma (31696)
• Baguio, Philippines
13 Jul 18
That's nice picture! Amazing!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382107)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Jul 18
@Jessabuma There were a lot of tourists there that day.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31696)
• Baguio, Philippines
14 Jul 18
@JudyEv yes, it must be a tourist's spot
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
18 Jul 18
nice photo... I love seeing these natural formations
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Jul 18
Nature has a way of creating some pretty amazing sites on this planet! Thanks for sharing the photo, it looks like a beautiful place!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jul 18
@JudyEv I hope you write a post about it and share some photos! I love exploring Australia through the lenses of yours and Vince's cameras!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382107)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 18
@moffittjc Now we are home and have internet I'll be able to post a few more articles and photos. I'm pleased you enjoy them.
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
13 Jul 18
That is an amazing photo and it makes me very keen to visit that area when I am next in Australia. Years ago I had a wonderful time visiting Kangaroo Island and I happily remember the archway there that overlooked the ocean. I really loved seeing the other sights there as well. I regret not seeing the Great Ocean Road when I was in Melbourne.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382107)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jul 18
There were a number of very pretty places along this coast.
@snowy22315 (208913)
• United States
13 Jul 18
It looks good to me! It reminds me of something I once saw in New Mexico. Window rock which is a round circular window space carved into the rock. It is pretty cool to look at.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382107)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jul 18
It's amazing how some of these structures are formed and how 'perfect' some of them are.
@JudyEv (382107)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jul 18
Water is relentless isn't it? It just keeps eroding away.
@Marilynda1225 (91086)
• United States
13 Jul 18
It's amazing how water can create something so pretty with erosion.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (24007)
• United Kingdom
13 Jul 18
It just shows how the power of the sea can cause so much damage over time!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382107)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jul 18
In South Australia, they are trying to stabilise the coastline too as it is very slowly washing away.
