Situated on the eastern side of a thin isthmus, between high cliffs and the rugged sea is Tessellated Pavement, Tasmania’s most stunning geological wonder. It’s one of the first attractions that greet you as you visit the Tasman Peninsula, acting as a symbol of the raw and rugged beauty found in the area.
In geology and geomorphology, a tessellated pavement is a relatively flat rock surface that is subdivided into more or less regular rectangles, blocks approaching rectangles, or irregular or regular polygons by fractures, frequently systematic joints, within the rock. This type of rock pavement bears this name because it is fractured into polygonal blocks that resemble tiles of a mosaic floor, or tessellations.
This tessellated pavement consists of a marine platform on the shore of Pirates Bay, Tasmania. This example consists of two types of formations: a pan formation and a loaf formation.
Tessellated Pavement in Eaglehawk Neck, can be easily mistaken for a man-made creation. The flat surface and straight lines can be mistaken for large pavers or floor tiles. However, this is an entirely natural occurrence. Tessellated Pavement occurs when a large area of flat rock became fractured due to earth movement millions of years ago, in a process known to the geological community as ‘jointing’.
The second contributor was the presence of sea crystals and the gradual but constant erosion which enabled the sea crystals from the crashing water to form deep lines and patterns, creating the pavement appearance.
It’s free to visit and offers excellent views of the coastline. If you’re an avid photographer, there are some excellent opportunities here. Come early for sunrise and see the amazing effect of the orange light and shadows shining against the rocks and water pools. Take photos on calm days and see the contrast of flat water sitting almost level with the flat pavement. Come on stormy days (there are plenty of those) and see waves crashing against the sides, splashing water high in the air and on top of the pavement.
According to the Internet
