Gibraltar stands as the northern gateway to the Mediterranean Sea, and has historically been a much-coveted fortress for observing all the movement in and out of the area.
Despite its history as an impenetrable fortress, the Rock of Gibraltar consists almost entirely of soft gray limestone with a touch of shale thrown in for good measure.
Furthermore, it’s full of holesmore than 180 caves carved by wind and rain in the deteriorating limestone.
We suppose it goes to show that “solid as the Rock of Gibraltar” is not so solid after all.
Related Posts
-
Are acid rock, country rock, and hard rock all geological terms before they were names for types of music genres?
We forgot boss rock, which was a geological term long before Bruce Springsteen came along. But seriously, yes, your teacher is correct. If you're looking for a good genre name, it's always best…
-
What is Chumash Rock Art and How did Chumash Rock Art originate?
Throughout their southern California homeland, the Chumash decorated exposed sandstone and cave walls with brilliant paintings. While other tribes made rock paintings, none were as colorful as those of the Chumash. By crushing…
-
Who were the Little Rock Nine and How was the Little Rock Crisis important in the African American Civil Rights Movement?
In September 1957, nine black teenagers, Jefferson Thomas, Carlotta Walls, Gloria Ray, Elizabeth Eckford, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, Terrance Roberts, Minniejean Brown, and Ernest Green, tried to enroll at Central High School, an…
-
Where Are the Pillars of Hercules Located and When Did the British Take Over Gibraltar from Spain?
The Pillars of Hercules is the ancient name for two huge rocks that stand on either side of the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Africa. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean…
-
How did a goat help find the Dead Sea Scrolls and Where did the Dead Sea Scrolls come from?
In the spring of 1947 a Bedouin boy known as Muhammed the Wolf was herding his goats on the western shore of the Dead Sea near the desolate ravine the Arabs call Qumran.…
-
What Causes a Sea Breeze and Why is it Cooler at the Sea Shore?
"Sea Breeze" isn't just the name of a thousand beach motels. The breeze coming in from the sea is a real phenomenon that makes the shore cooler than it is inland at least…
