Moeraki Boulders/Kaihinaki

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Moeraki Boulders/Kaihinaki

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Moeraki Boulders/Kaihinaki, Spherical boulders at Koekohe Beach, New Zealand

Large round stones measuring up to two meters in diameter line the shores of Koekohe Beach, creating a natural geological display along the coastline point.

The formation process of these massive mudstone spheres began approximately 60 million years ago through sedimentary accumulation and natural lithification processes.

The Ngāi Tahu tribe maintains that these stone formations represent eel baskets and provisions from their ancestral canoe Arai-te-uru that washed ashore.

Visitors can reach the boulders via a designated walking path from the parking area, with optimal viewing opportunities during low tide periods.

Each boulder displays natural fissures filled with yellow calcite crystals, forming geometric patterns across their surfaces that resemble a turtle shell design.

Location: Otago Region

Location: Waitaki District

Elevation above the sea: 0 m

GPS coordinates: -45.34528,170.82606

Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:20

Geological formations: canyons, caves, rock formations

This collection presents geological formations created through millions of years of natural processes. From the striped sandstone walls of Antelope Canyon in Arizona to the basaltic columns of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland and the calcium terraces of Pamukkale in Turkey, these sites demonstrate the work of wind, water, tectonic forces and volcanic activity. The collection includes diverse geological phenomena across all continents. The Tsingy de Bemaraha in Madagascar consists of sharp limestone pinnacles, while the Moeraki Boulders in New Zealand are large spherical concretions on the beach. The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia forms the world's largest salt flat, and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam displays thousands of karst islands rising from the sea. Many of these formations are accessible to visitors and offer insights into geological processes. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China inspired landscapes in popular films, while the Grand Prismatic Spring in Wyoming derives its colors from thermophilic bacteria. From the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines to the volcanic Jeju Island in South Korea, this collection documents the diversity of Earth's history.

Notable rock formations worldwide

Geological formations created by natural processes over millions of years. These stones and rocks display various shapes: arches, monoliths, spheres, and pillars. From Australia's Uluru to Norway's Kjeragbolten, these formations document Earth's history.

Instagrammable spots across New Zealand

New Zealand provides photographic subjects ranging from the Southern Alps to sand beaches on both coastlines. The landscape includes thermal springs in Rotorua, glaciers like Franz Josef and Tasman, and fjords in Fiordland. Mount Cook dominates the alpine region while the Coromandel Peninsula holds beaches including Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing traverses volcanic terrain and Mount Taranaki rises above Taranaki. Coastal formations like the Moeraki Boulders, Split Apple Rock and Nugget Point demonstrate geological variety. Natural waterfalls including Purakaunui Falls and Whangarei Falls sit among native forests. Cultural sites complement the natural geography. The Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata displays the film location from the Tolkien adaptation. Larnach Castle near Dunedin represents colonial architecture. Te Puia and Wai-O-Tapu demonstrate geothermal activity with geysers and colored pools. Waitomo Caves contains glowworm caverns. Lake Tekapo offers clear night skies for stargazing. Viewpoints like Roy's Peak near Wanaka and Queenstown Hill sit above lake landscapes. Remote regions including Cape Reinga at the northern tip and Cape Palliser in the Wairarapa show different coastal environments. The Forgotten World Highway crosses historic mountain country on the North Island.

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« Moeraki Boulders/Kaihinaki: Spherical boulders at Koekohe Beach, New Zealand » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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