As the sedimentary rock layers the boulders formed in are were eroded away, the harder, more resistant concretions were left behind. However, theories include: Interestingly, the large stones are hardest at their outermost layers which are comprised of roughly 20 percent calcite. Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand. Depending on the tides, the boulders will either be high and dry or partially submerged. Our own mammalian ancestors during that epoch were mostly small and rodent like. As the sedimentary rock layers the boulders formed in are were eroded away, the harder, more resistant concretions were left behind. While similar features are found around the world, these boulders are remarkable for their size, up to 2m diameter, and their almost spherical shape. The hull of the canoe magically became a reef near the Waihemo River Mouth. Mantell’s father, Gideon Mantell (1790-1852), was also a geologist and paleontologist. Source: Wikimedia, pseudopanax, public domain. The process continued and the concretions grew slowly over millions of years. It took about 4 million years for the Boulders to get to their current size; There are over 50 boulders on the Koekohe Beach; The largest boulders weigh 7 tons and are 2-3 meters wide; There used to be many more Moeraki Boulders (based on old photos) but bad tourists took the smaller ones as souvenirs, so only those too heavy to move are left. The Mysteries of New Zealand’s Kaimanawa Wall. Let’s call it fate that I was just drawn to the beauty of 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. For those who don’t want to get their feet sandy, there is also a viewing platform overlooking the area. Tourists can walk the beach to get a close-up view. People sometimes mistake the Moeraki Boulders for dinosaur eggs, alien remnants, or evidence of giants. One said, “Have a cupcake then have another” and the other was a black and white photo of the Moeraki boulders. However, I do have a disclaimer: initially, it was a bit of a let down. 1 The tiny fragments however began forming about 60 million years … The earthquake near Kaikoura in late 2016 has allowed similar boulders to be viewed following the uplift of the seafloor in that event. The 4-million-year age on the tourist sign is another example of the constant indoctrination of the public into the belief system of millions of years… Kimberly is a writer and the content manager for Historic Mysteries. Within the many meters of sediment, the boulders remained encased. Geological curiosities. is that the Moeraki Boulders started forming on the ocean floor over 60 million years ago and centuries of coastline erosion have revealed a spectacular view of these curiously large spherical boulders. Here’s the official Katharina Moeraki Boulder Itinerary: Geological Society of New Zealand: 2003 Conference Field Trip Guide. The raw beauty of New Zealand has remained intact over the years, its natural glory still relatively unaffected, glimpses of which we could see during our drive through the South Island. ( Log Out /  Their goal was to find and bring back kumara sweet potato plants to grow back home. The Moeraki Boulders lie in Otago, on the east coast of South Island, New Zealand. However, the scientific community is still debating the exact process that results in this smooth round shape. There is so much to see over on this side of the country, Moeraki Boulders, Fleurs Cafe, Katiki Point lighthouse, Moeraki town and so much more! However, the region welcomes visitors who are always eager to catch a glimpse of the natural wonders. Ahum. However, the awesomeness of these giant stones persists, and these geological mysteries of creation leave many people wondering exactly what they are and how they formed. The word ‘concretion’ comes from two Latin words. Graham, I. J. The occurrence of septaria is a rather mysterious process and scientists are not exactly sure what causes them. The Moeraki Boulders are concretions created by the cementation of the Paleocene mudstone of the Moeraki Formation, from which they have been exhumed by coastal erosion. One such example is the phenomenon of the Moeraki Boulders which, through the years have been objects of absorbing interest to the thousands who have visited the locality. Proposals include tide action (rolling and wearing down), gravity, or factors of sedimentary pressure. The underlaying sand of the boulders was slowly washed away by the wind and water moving the individual boulders towards the ocean. Interesting history topics are just a click away. The boulders range anywhere from 3ft-7ft in diameter, and weigh several tons. So, my rock-loving self was still happy. 5. © 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. Moeraki Bed and Breakfast; Moeraki Holiday Rentals; Moeraki Holiday Packages; Moeraki Flights; Moeraki Restaurants; Moeraki Attractions; Moeraki Travel Forum; Moeraki Photos; Moeraki Map; Moeraki Guide; All Moeraki Hotels; Moeraki Hotel Deals; By Hotel Type. Scientists believe the boulders to be calcite concretions which were formed an estimated 65 million years ago. Does the Kaimanawa Wall Re-Write New Zealand’s History? The underlaying sand of the boulders was slowly washed away by the wind and water moving the individual boulders towards the ocean. MessageToEagle.com – The beach north of Moeraki on New Zealand’s South Island is strewn with large, near-spherical boulders with bizarre cracked shells. In it, Mantell showed the presence of a greater number of beach stones than there is today. 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. Tom Hall/CC BY 2.0. Stunning Moeraki Boulders at sunrise There are over 50 boulders along Koekohe Beach. Macmillan, 1882. Baskets and gourds that had carried eels and water also washed ashore, preserving the cargo for all time as the giant boulders along the Otago Coast of South Island. The 4-million-year age on the tourist sign is another example of the constant indoctrination of the public into the belief system of millions of years… Mysteries in the Plain of Jars, Laos. On Moeraki beach you’ll count over 50 boulders of different sizes. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It is stunning. I’d seen countless images online and had high expectations. ALSO, (non-geology related) suggestion for anyone who plans to make a visit to the boulders… Go at sunset. Coming from the north – Oamuru to Moeraki. The Moeraki boulders are on NZ's South Island East Coast about 80 Km north of Dunedin, a nice day trip. It took about 4 million years for the largest boulders to form to their current size. From the parking lot, visitors must take a short trek with some minor scrambling around rocks and down a makeshift ladder to get to the beach. We stopped in our tracks to take in the beauty of the lake. The Moeraki Boulders are located on Koekohe Beach, between the towns of Moerkai and Hampden – a 30 minute drive south from Oamuru and about an hour north from Dunedin. These fractures on the outer layers have subsequently become filled with yellow and brown calcite, quartz, and dolomite deposits in a process known as secretion. 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. Who can argue with that? Some of them remain partially encased by the surrounding cliffs, while others have completely revealed their beauty with patterned surface lines and colorful hollow cores. Valley of Balls – Torysh, Mangystau Province, Western Kazakhstan. Moeraki is on the east coast of New Zealand. Fossilized clay and mud are found in the center, around which sediments such as calcite have accumulated. This week, Kate and I went on a little adventure to explore all of these awesome places! They kind of look like big cannon balls, or alien orbs, but the reality is that they are “concretions that have been exposed through shoreline erosion from coastal cliffs” (according to the official Moeraki Boulders website). Source: Wikimedia, Oren Rosen. Accordingly, the Moeraki Boulders formation began on the ancient seafloor sediments 60 million years ago, during the early Tertiary period. This steppe site is near the town of Shetpe. According to scientists, the formation of these concretions began approximately 60 million years ago within the muddy Paleocene marine sediments of the Moeraki Formation. The underlaying sand of the boulders was slowly washed away by the wind and water moving the individual boulders towards the ocean. Maori ancestors occupied the vicinity of the Otago Coast for hundreds of years, beginning around the 13th century CE. (New Zealand Department of Conservation). True, but it is a writer and the preservation of its resources is an Associate! Calcite to precipitate around over to catch a glimpse of the softer boulders at Moeraki no idea then these! Round shape beach – Schooner Gulch State beach, California, USA, north Island, New.! 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