Most Popular Post

Friday 13 July 2018

Rock faces

At Thunder Cove the beach is pristine. The eastern side is lined with sand dunes. 





To the west the sandstone cliffs line the beach, and the wave action forms interesting features such as sea stacks. However, the cliffs themselves are worth a look as the sea works its erosive magic on them every year.


Sandstone erodes easily. Today, the cliff looks a long distance from the water’s edge. 





Not so during seasonal storms, especially during high tide, when the water licks at the sandstone and erodes it easily. 


When we visited the beach last year, one place had a phone booth sized opening in the cliff. This year, the change is dramatic as a huge area of sandstone has disappeared, creating an area more than ten times the size it was last year. This beach is eroding at an alarming rate.





The sandstone itself shows the rounded profile of water action. 





A developing sea cave shows how high the seas are sometimes, more than a meter above the sand.






A tunnel may erode into existence here. Could another sea stack, albeit a small one, follow?





And all along the cliffs, faces look out from the sandstone.




As nature does its work, their expressions will change or they’ll disappear over the next year,




 like the humans who gaze upon them. 


33 comments:

DJan said...

Wonderful pictures, Marie. I love the faces looking out to sea, but you are right, they are eroding at an alarming rate. If you put a picture at this time next year of these same spots, it will be interesting to compare them. :-)

Anvilcloud said...

Pretty shapes to add to the pretty colour.

Silver in AZ said...

That IS a heck of a lot of erosion for one year!

Gorgeous photos, though, as always!

William Kendall said...

Amazing details in these shots.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

What a wonderful series of images Marie, love the faces in the rock, well spotted. Fascinating to see the smooth curves where the waves have woven in and around them. Would be a good idea to take these same shots next year ✨

Debbie said...

the sandstone is so beautiful, such pretty shapes and colors!!

the beach itself is gorgeous but the erosion is concerning!!

Celia said...

Fascinating. That expanded "phone booth" looks like the remains of some ancient building. Scary how fast the coastlines disappear. I used to borrow a friend's cabin on the coast of Washington here and nearly all of that little village, North Cove, has gone into the sea over years.

Rhodesia said...

I love rock formations they are fascinating, great photos. Your header is fabulous. Happy weekend Diane

Bill said...

The sandstone is gorgeous to see and it does have lots of details. I thought I could see some head profiles in those photos. I love reading your posts, they are so interesting, thanks!!

Elephant's Child said...

Beautiful - and a tad scary. Water is an incredibly powerful force. A life giver AND a destroyer.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

As they say, the only constant is change.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures...would make good paintings! Andrea

Catarina said...

As we know the ocean is very artistic. Sometimes a dangerous artist. Those cliffs look dangerous to me... would not seek their shade despite their beauty.
:)

Marie Smith said...

I plan to do just that Jan.

Marie Smith said...

It is a favourite beach of ours AC.

Marie Smith said...

Thanks SW.

Marie Smith said...

Thanks William.

Marie Smith said...

Will do PDP.

Marie Smith said...

The sandstone erodes so easily Debbie. It changes with the seasons it seems.

Marie Smith said...

Such will be the case here on the island I fear Celia.

Marie Smith said...

Thanks Diane.

Marie Smith said...

Thanks Bill.

Marie Smith said...

It is indeed EC. One stands in awe of the force of nature which is water.

Marie Smith said...

So true Debra.

Marie Smith said...

Many island artists capture their essence Andrea.

Marie Smith said...

I understand your caution Catarina.

Mage said...

A simply wonderful place to picnic....we have cliffs near here that are eroding at a dramitic rate.

Danielle L Zecher said...

The sandstone is gorgeous. It always amazes me how different the same beach looks depending on tide and wind.

jenny_o said...

What stunning photos, Marie!

Marie Smith said...

It is happening alng every coastline Mage.

Marie Smith said...

I love the sandstone too. The elements have a huge affect on a beach’s appearance Danielle.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you Jenny,

Barbara said...

It is so interesting, though sometimes sad, to see the changes wind and water make to our coastline. Interesting red rock.