Archive - Pancake Rocks, New Zealand
February 05, 2022
Every weekend we present a notable item from our archives.
This EPOD was originally published January 2, 2012.
Photographer: Enver Murad
Summary Author: Enver Murad
Paparoa National Park on New Zealand’s west coast near the small town of Punakaiki is renowned for its limestone cliffs and karst phenomena such as caves and underground streams. Formation of the famous Pancake Rocks began during the Tertiary period when carbonate-rich fragments of marine plant and animal skeletons were deposited on the seabed some 30 million years ago. The resultant alternating layers of hard and soft limestone and mudstone were eventually solidified and raised above sea level. Wind, rain and acidic waters finally carved today’s spectacular formations out of the solid rock, giving the appearance of stacked pancakes.