Rock formations - with shells

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 6:39 pm

Just had a great vacation in the Carvoeiro.

A question: The cliffs along the coast, many of them appeared to be a combination or mix of rock and shells. We'd never seen anything like it. Anyone know how the 'mix' was formed?

Thanks

Jim

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 6:52 pm

Don't think the local Council had a hand in it

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 8:02 pm

No expert but the earthquake back in 1753 (ish) created the coastline you have now. I'm sure I might be corrected on this but here's a start. I'd wondered this myself for a for a few years and I think there's a posting on the subject somewhere down the line this year. Either that or if you search this web, it will probaly appear somewhere. Good question. Mike, Chislehurst.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 11:51 pm

yes -this is very interesting question--when I lived there remember talking to the priest at cathedral of Silves--he was very informed on the massive quake of 1755 (which the cathedral walls withstood). Seem to recall him saying that the Algarves beautiful coastline --therefore the cliffs --were formed from the quake> I think you can see this particularly on the cliffs of Rocha Brava near the lighthouse--see where the lava cooled and you have little hollowed out features that when filled with rain water create natural-looking pools. Allvery beautiful when the tiny alpines flower.
Out of Mother Natures Inferno there blossomed a little bit of paradise ----

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 4:43 am

hi jim...if i rember my old gelogy course correctly, the "mix" you described leads me to think that the cliffs were, at one time, the sea bed.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 9:01 am

We've been visiting Carvoeiro for a few years and each time we stay, we've noticed that there have been more cliff falls etc.

In parts of UK such as the North Yorkshire coast, hotels and houses which were not on the edges of cliffs years ago have now disappeared due to the cliffs eroding so much - has Carvoeiro experienced that? and are there any concerns that in the next few years some of the houses near the cliff edges will 'disappear' too

Hope not

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 11:06 am

Erosion is becoming a serious threat to the Algarve coastline.

Over the last couple of years, the ground water level has sunk deeper and deeper due to the increased number of habitations and especially because of the immense number of golf courses.

During the winter months, the porous limestone rock sponges up the water gaining considerable weight in the process. Small quakes or heavy sea then do their part to bring the boulders down.

On average, the Algarve coastline recedes roughly 1 meter per year.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 2:12 pm

well--we could sure do with a lot less golf courses (Ill stand by for blasting on this one!)
Why cant they leave the coastline alone instead of keep building there.
If I had the money to buy property in Algarve, Id buy old Portuguese stone cottage inland--something to renovate.
The beautiful coastline should now be left alone--had no idea the rate of erosion was so high G----- very worrying.

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 6:04 pm

I am not a golfer, and I still don't see any need to blast Ellie for making suggestions to curb the erosion. If its really that high, its very worrying.
The point is tourism is critical to the economy of Portugal, and the Algarve in particular. Tourists want to be near the sea and they want to play Golf which is a feature of Portugal.
If either of these become short in supply, then prices will rise and we've all seen the outcry (in a separate topic in this forum) on what happens when prices go up.
Personally, I think we have to expect some increase in the cost of tourism to the Algarve. Its long been a cheap option for northern Europeans, but now maybe it need to improve its economy so that better drainage, better building and better shoreline maintenance can be paid for. We've seen what happens when shoreline maintenance is done "on the cheap" at Centianes, and I suspect (but don't honestly know) that drainage and water runaway from golf courses has not received much funding and attention.
Frequently the solution is not simple, obvious, or cheap. Its always unpopular though. So, maybe less golf courses is the right solution

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 6:28 pm

As a matter of interest, are the 'powers that be' ie. Council? happy with the work that has been done at Centianes

Surely if this is a public beach then local people are entitled to have something done about the poor state it has been left in.

Reading another posting I am under the impression that it is dangerous to attempt to enter the sea at low tide because of the large rocks,stones that have been dumped? so is it best to avoid this beach now with young children

Would be grateful for advice.

Thanks.

digger · Post by **digger** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 8:10 pm

Ha Ha
earthquake lava,
coastline receding by 1 metre per year,
Hoodwink

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 12:53 am

Youre right in what you say, Richard. Of course tourism is absolutely vital to Portugals economy and Id like to emphasise that I would never want to take away anyones enjoyment --after all, thats whata holidays all about.
But surely there has to come a time to stop the building along the coast and to say- thats enough golf courses?
Digger, you scoff at Gambrinus' words --but I dont doubt the truth in them--as someone whos lived and worked in the area for years -Im sure he has his facts right.
Dont you know that "lava" whats thrown up when theres an earthquake -and that sure was some earthquake in1755! When you go and walk at Rocha Brava --the evidence is beneath your feet!
Terra Firma is not always so "firma"---stay there long enough and you will feel the trembles now and then----of a "young Earth" that still has a "lava filled " centre!
Boa Noite---Ellie

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 2:31 am

well, on the bright side, the coast line will always be there... in whatever form or condition.

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 7:14 am

yo, digger, ...nice post....still got your day job?

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 1:49 pm

Just re-read "my" post of around midnight last night!
Should I apologise to Digger I ask myself?
Seems cowardly I know-- but Im not usually a drinker-- and Im going to blame it on just one glass too many of Californian Merlot!
No "lava" in earthquakes --just big rumblings and shakes and as in 1755 massive cracks and throwing up of rocks etc --but then Im sure those rockpools up at Rocha Brava are solidified lava --at least they seem so to me---I feel sure there must have been some "volcanic" action gone on up there at some time!
But whatever--Cowboy is right---its very beautiful and sincerely hope it will always remain so.
Digger? Youre not in Oz are you---coming through from the other side ?

Will some one answer the fella who wants to know about safety on that beach for his kiddies?
Id simply say--never ever leave your children alone near water; also the rocks can be slippery& dangerous whether exposed or under water-- it happened to me --so kiddies will be much more susceptible.
Sincerely hope you are experiencing clearblue skies& clear atmosphere in CVO now---have a good day, Ellie.

Rock formations - with shells

Rock formations - with shells

Beautiful coastline

too much building

joke? Dont think so

What A Pa"lava"!