Bufón de Arenillas, Natural seawater geyser in Llanes, Spain
Bufón de Arenillas is a natural phenomenon along the Cantabrian coast where water shoots upward through limestone cracks to form fountains. The site has multiple vents that become active during wave action, projecting both water and small rock fragments into the air.
The phenomenon developed over centuries through erosion by seawater and rainfall, which gradually carved an underground network of channels into the rock. This geological transformation by natural forces created the distinctive structure visible today.
The name comes from the loud roaring sounds the water makes when it forces through the rock cracks, which locals have long associated with the power of the sea. These noises form part of how people understand and relate to this coastal section.
The best viewing time is during stronger waves in the colder months, when water forces through the rock cracks with power. The location is easy to reach from the main road and has a viewpoint with safe spots to observe the phenomenon.
During heavy wave action, compressed air shoots out alongside water and rocks with considerable force, with the power entirely dependent on sea conditions. This makes each visit different, as the phenomenon can vary greatly depending on how rough the ocean is.
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