Mahia Tombolo (Hawkes Bay) EarthCache
Mahia Tombolo (Hawkes Bay)
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
View one of New Zealand's larger tombolo formations connecting Mahia Peninsula to the mainland.
A tombolo is a deposition landform in which an island becomes attached to the mainland by a narrow piece of land often in the form of a sandbar or gravel beach. In this case Mahia Peninsula was once an island and the tombolo or sandbar connection built up to link it to the mainland at Opoutama. The tombolo is some 4km long and 3km wide and encompasses a tidal lagoon close to the Mahia end.
The tombolo would have been formed here because the island would have caused wave refraction, depositing sand and shingle moved by longshore drift in each direction around the island to where the waves meet. The process would have taken many thousands of years.
It is no wonder that today because of the unique exposed position of the peninsula and variety of wave patterns the area is becoming a highly regarded surfing location.
The listed co-ordinates will bring you to a roadside lookout point near the village of Opoutama from where you can view the tombolo feature and also the north-west coastline of Mahia Peninsula from Mahia Beach to Long Point.
While at the lookout answer the following questions:-
1. Take a bearing from the lookout to the western tip of the Mahia Peninsula that is visible to you. What is the approximate heading in degrees (state true or magnetic in your answer);
2. What is the approximate elevation in metres of the lookout and what would you estimate the average height of the tombolo to be;
3. What is the name of the settlement visible from the lookout across the bay on the peninsula.
Email your answers to the earthcache owner. Do not record your answers in your log. Also take a photograph at the lookout with your GPS displayed (include yourself or another person if you wish) with Mahia Peninsula or the tombolo in the background. Upload this photo with your log. The earthcache owner reserves the right to delete logs that do not comply with these requests.
If time permits take the road from Opoutama over the tombolo to the peninsula or walk the beach across it. The driftwood on the beach washed in from the east coast rivers of the North Island is fascinating in itself.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)