Pancake Rocks of New Zealand

#Pancake_Rocks_NewZealand

The Pancake Rocks were formed millions of years ago with the shells and skeletons of marine creatures  when much of New Zealand was submerged

 

Each stack has its own unique shape due to the wind, rain and the acidic waters of the ocean with each layer separated by siltstone
Thus when the geological lift eventually pushed the ocean floor above sea level, erosion took away the softer sediment leaving the harder limestone strata which gives it the "pancake" look we have today

KeyTip;
The site is located on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand
The trail is well maintained and free for all to see the formations around the looped walk

The Devils Cauldron
The moniker evokes peril with the powerful forces of nature
 So with that in mind, the name is used
with areas around the world including geothermal locations, waterfalls and even a golf course in my country of Canada

Here in New Zealand its with this coastal inlet where the surge pool rises and swirls dramatically to give it that look of chaos from a deep vortex of water

The karst erosion is a slow process where the chemical eats away at the limestone with the action of the water flowing into the joints or layers which then creates underground caverns with its collapse

Blowholes
For best viewing you want to make sure your there during high tide
Then you will witness the sea surging into the underground passages in which the water is forced through vertical channels creating the spectacular geysers of spray

Punakaiki Marine Reserve

The Pancake Rocks are within this area which protects the coastline and is also on the edge of the Paparoa National Park
While your here you maybe lucky enough to see some Hector Dolphins which are the worlds rarest playing near the rocks (entanglement in commercial fishing nets, disease and low birth rates) 

Other species to be found in the area include many types of birds like the  Kaka parrot, Great Spotted Kiwi, Weka flightless bird
Also Fur Seals, Carpet Sharks and a Banded Kokopu which is a freshwater fish