Granite Gorda Baths
September 05, 2005
Provided by: Stephanie Burns
Summary authors & editors: Stephanie Burns
The photo above showing "The Baths" on Virgin Gorda, in the British Virgin Islands, was taken at Devil's Bay in July of 2005. This is but one small portion of the immense granite batholith on this island. After a short swim from the boat, visitors are greeted with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea, as seen through small caves and giant grottos formed by millions of years of erosion. The batholith formed deep below the Earth's surface and was exposed as the overlying rock layers were eroded away by wind and waves. The Baths are short for "batholith" and have nothing to do with salt water baths. This batholith continues to rise at a rate of about 1 centimeter per year, and is only one of two in the world that rest on the shore of a sea (the other being in the Seychelles).
Related Links: