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The Putangirua Pinnacles, situated on the southeastern tip of New Zealand’s North Island within the Wairarapa region.
Adjacent to the small coastal settlement of Ngawi, designated as a conservation area, these towering, slender rock pillars compose a distinctive landscape
Moreover, the Pinnacles are primarily made of conglomerate rock, a sedimentary formation consisting of rounded or angular fragments cemented together.
This conglomerate rock, formed from the accumulation and consolidation of river and sea sediments, is crucial to the Pinnacles’ composition.
The story of their creation traces back to sedimentary layers deposited during the Paleocene and Eocene epochs, shaped by tectonic forces uplifting the land.
Erosional processes, driven by wind and water, further shaped the unique pinnacle formations.
Rain and wind eroded softer rock layers, leaving behind hard conglomerate layers, resulting in the slender towers seen today.
With pillars reaching heights of 30 meters, the Pinnacles create a surreal landscape that defies the laws of nature.
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Maori Legend and the Putangirua Pinnacles
The Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have long held a spiritual connection to the land.
According to Maori legend, the Putangirua Pinnacles are the remnants of an ancient family who sought refuge from a pursuing enemy.
As they fled, they were caught in a storm, and the gods turned them to stone to protect them.
The Pinnacles represent petrified figures, frozen in time, a testament to Maori storytelling’s enduring power.
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From Ancient Island to Pinnacle Formation
Around 7 to 9 million years ago, the Aorangi ranges existed as an island due to elevated sea levels.
Over time, erosion gradually shaped this landmass, giving rise to substantial alluvial fans along its southern shores.
The precise duration of pinnacle formation remains uncertain, but estimates suggest they are likely less than 125,000 years old.
Significant erosion likely commenced approximately 7,000 years ago, intensifying in the last 1,000 years, particularly following the deforestation of the region.
The current erosion rate stands at roughly 1 cm per year.