Jérémie Freiburger
Moeraki Boulders
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The Moeraki Boulders are unusually large and spherical boulders lying on a beach between Moeraki and Hampden, on the Otago coast of New Zealand. They range from 0.5 to 2 m in diameter and were formed by concretion on the ocean floor some 60 millions years ago.
According to Maori legend, the origin of the boulders dates from the loss of the Arai-te-uru, a large sailing canoe. On its quest south for the precious greenstone, the canoe was wrecked near Shag Point. The reef which today extends seawards is the canoe's petrified hull, while close by, in the shape of a prominent rock, stands the petrified body of her commander. The boulders are said to be the fishing nets and calabashes that were washed ashore and then turned into stone.
Moeraki Boulders
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The Moeraki Boulders are unusually large and spherical boulders lying on a beach between Moeraki and Hampden, on the Otago coast of New Zealand. They range from 0.5 to 2 m in diameter and were formed by concretion on the ocean floor some 60 millions years ago.
According to Maori legend, the origin of the boulders dates from the loss of the Arai-te-uru, a large sailing canoe. On its quest south for the precious greenstone, the canoe was wrecked near Shag Point. The reef which today extends seawards is the canoe's petrified hull, while close by, in the shape of a prominent rock, stands the petrified body of her commander. The boulders are said to be the fishing nets and calabashes that were washed ashore and then turned into stone.