Posts tagged ‘Ocean’

The Great Ocean Road

By on June 12, 2016

A few weeks ago we drove along the Great Ocean Road, where the limestone plateau of western Victoria falls into the sea, leaving behind remnant limestone stacks, arches and gorges. As we drove from the western end back towards Melbourne we didn’t quite make it as far as the famous 12 Apostles (or however many are left standing) but there were plenty of coastal features still to see.

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Loch Ard Gorge, named after a ship which was wrecked within the bay many years ago.

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At the far western end of the Great Ocean Road the limestone cliffs eventually become beaches with steep dunes.

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There used to be another limestone arch forming a natural bridge between the main cliff on the left and the island on the right but it fell into the sea and the sight is now known as London Bridge.

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Travelling the Great Ocean Road in the cooler months and on a grey overcast day meant there weren’t too many tourists to get in the way of your photos.

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Cape Cross Seal Colony

By on February 25, 2015

Cape Cross, a small headland along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, is home to one of the worlds largest fur seal colonies. Visiting in January meant there was a very large number of young seals pups only a few weeks old. cape_cross_seal_colony_namibia_africa_cape_brown_fur_seal_atlantic_ocean_14 cape_cross_seal_colony_namibia_africa_cape_brown_fur_seal_atlantic_ocean_13

A few of the adult seals seemed to be taking the pups for a swimming lesson as they crowded alongside the edge of the water, whilst others were quite happy to pose for the camera!

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This site had hundreds of fur seals, both swimming in the water and relaxing on the rocks. Although you can’t tell from these pictures, smell of these seal was horrendous.

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The boardwalk around the seal colony was the only shade provided for the seals and every spot was quickly taken up by sleepy seals.

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The Namibian Coast

By on February 21, 2015

Whilst in Swakopmund I had the opportunity to take a 2 hour scenic flight over the Namib Desert and coastline. Watching some of the worlds most spectacular sand dunes fall away into the Atlantic Ocean is something I will never forget.

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The coast was scattered with Fur Seal colonies.

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This ship was originally wrecked on the beach but the desert has expanded towards the ocean leaving this ship 500 metres inland.

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As we flew over Walvis Bay, flamingoes could be seen feeding in the shallow waters.

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The southern sector of Walvis Bay is home to large salt refineries that are slightly pink in colour due to algae.

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Lulworth Cove

By on December 13, 2014

Continuing along the Jurassic Coast from Durdle Door and Man O’ War Bay is Lulworth Cove.

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It is composed of the same geological strata found around Durdle Door and the cove itself is carved

from the limestone that forms the cliffs neighbouring Durdle Door.

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The water turns a milky blue as the cliffs slowly erode away and form a beach full of white pebbles.

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In the next little cove is the Lulworth Crumple. A near vertical set of strata, resulting from

folding of the Purbeck Stone (a series of thin layers of Limestone and Clay).

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More information on the geology can be found here.

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Exploring the Jurassic Coast

By on December 12, 2014

As I’m currently visiting family and friends in the UK I couldn’t resist a trip to the Jurassic Coast

along the southern coastline of England to have a look at some amazing geology.

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Durdle Door has been carved out of the Portland Limestone and is adjacent to the

upright beds of the Purbeck Stone.

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Huge white cliffs composed of chalk, tower over the beach and as the cliffs erode into the

ocean the water becomes a milky blue colour.

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In the cove behind Durdle Door are remnants of rock forming the Man O’War Bay.

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More geology information about the Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door can be found here.

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