Before the peninsula was an island, it was the sea floor. But so was much of New Zealand then, millions of years ago.
Around 100 million years ago, under the enormous pressure of the sea, limestone and siltstone started to be compacted into layers on the sea floor. Then, around 15 million years ago, massive earth movements folded and twisted the layers, then started shunting them skywards, up out of the sea. Over the past 125,000 years, wave action has cut the land into platforms, during times of relative stability, before uplift has occurred again.
The top of today's peninsula is the oldest wave-cut platform. The peninsula's newest is at sea level. The peninsula continues to rise today. Plate boundaries and active faultlines make this area of New Zealand, both on land and under the sea, a geologically dynamic place.
Tasks for this earth cache. Email me the answers for the following:
1. What is the age of the oldest platform? (Check the Photo Gallery for a hint)
2. What is the age of the youngest platform?
3. Which rock is flat and smooth?
4. Which rock is rough and twisted?
Enjoy the view and you can also visit the fur seals down on the newest platform