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All Spain Puerto de Mazarrón Erosiones de Bolnuevo

Erosiones de Bolnuevo

An enchanting landscape of ancient sandstone structures eroded into otherworldly shapes.

Puerto de Mazarrón, Spain

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Alan Newman
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The strange structures are made of oxides of silicon and aluminum.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The sandstone structures found on Bolnuevo beach.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
They house microfossils from nearly 4.5 million years ago.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Some resemble elaborate and misshapen mushrooms.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
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The Ciudad Encantada, or "Enchanted City" just behind the beach of Bolnuevo in Murcia, Spain, is a complex of ancient sandstone structures that have eroded into elaborate mushroom forms and sub-vertical shapes that seem to defy gravity, creating a sort of otherworldly effect.

Also called the Erosiones de Bolnuevo or Las Gredas de Bolnuevo, these remarkable shapes were formed by sandstone rich with clay (gredas), and contain microfossils that date from about 4.5 million years ago, back to the Pliocene period. 

The Enchanted City's alien formations (not to be confused with another "Ciudad Encantada" of eroded wonders near Cuenca, Spain) have been sculpted by water and wind over thousands of years. While they have legal protection, these fragile natural monuments are exposed to the attentions of the public who can wreak havoc by climbing on the fragile cliffs and approaching these remarkable structures, unfortunately causing a less natural form of footfall erosion.

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Beaches Fossils Ancient Nature Prehistoric Natural Wonders

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Parking available just in front of the cliffs. It seems it becomes very busy during the tourist season, but in the off season you may find yourself the only one there.

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Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Published

June 7, 2017

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Sources
  • https://www.britannica.com/science/Pliocene-Epoch
  • http://www.allyouneedinmurcia.com/es/naturaleza-mar-monta%C3%B1a/erosiones-de-bolnuevo/
  • http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,761,c,365,m,1753&r=ReP-18502-DETALLE_REPORTAJESPADRE
  • https://vicentecamarasa.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/las-erosiones-de-bolnuevo-mazarron-murcia/
Erosiones de Bolnuevo
100 Av. Pedro López Meca
Puerto de Mazarrón
Spain
37.564101, -1.312524
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