Elephant Rocks

Elephant Rocks are a collection of large interestingly shaped limestone rocks. They are Otekaike Limestone formation which lies above the softer Kokoamu Greensand. They are residual chunks of flat bedded limestone that was deposited on the sea floor when most of New Zealand was submerged and yet to be uplifted as the modern plate boundary developed. After the whole area of limestone lifted and surfaced, the forces of the wind and water helped shape the limestone. Limestone is made of calcium carbonate and dissolves slightly in rainwater. Similarly eroded outcrops in other parts of the world occur where limestone is jointed and horizontally bedded, and has been eroded in an alternating wet and dry climate.

The rocks are scattered across a grassy paddock, and have been weathered into rounded, pitted and pock marked shapes. According to some geologists, limestone is the most uncomfortable rock to sit on for lunch, because of the sharp, sculpted shapes. Do you agree?! As with any sedimentary rock, have a look for features of interest that may appear with a close-up inspection. It is interesting to consider that these marine Oligocene limestones are 33 km from the present day coast, and 220 m above sea level. Elephant Rocks are very picturesque and popular with photographers and rock climbers as well as geologists.The location was used during the filming of the 2005 movie The Chronicles of Narnia.