Story: Rock, limestone and clay

Limestone, Punakaiki (1st of 3)

Limestone, Punakaiki

The Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki on the South Island’s West Coast are composed of limestone. They formed around 35 million years ago into distinctive flat layers that resemble pancakes. Punakaiki is a scenic reserve and is not quarried, but extensive deposits of limestone occur on this northern stretch of the West Coast. At Cape Foulwind, further north, a quarry supplies a large cement works.

Using this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN04010/12
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Rock, limestone and clay - Limestone', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5223/limestone-punakaiki (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 12 Jun 2006