<< Previous Next >>

Zumaia´s flysch


Zumaia´s flysch
Photo Information
Copyright: Mirari Mirarer (mirarer) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 381 W: 0 N: 265] (2335)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-05
Categories: Nature
Exposure: f/8, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-12-18 11:59
Viewed: 388
Points: 2
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The cliffs at Itzurun beach in Zumaia (Gipuzkoa) have been declared the best place in the world to study a particular stage in the history of the Earth, known as the Palaeocene, between 65 and 55 million years before Christ. This decision was taken by a 32-member committee of experts from all over the world who met recently to study the rocks and strata of this area.
Pending official ratification from the International Geological Union, the cliffs that separate Zumaia from Deba are considered a "stratotype", in other words, the rocks that best summarise the characteristics of a specific era in the Earth's history. Geologists use stratotypes as a reference to compare geological formations that date from the same period all over the world. To do this, the Zumaia flysch, as it is known scientifically, competed with similar rock formations in the Nile valley in Egypt, but the results of studies determined that this place on the Basque coast would be chosen as a world geological site.
A major contribution to this decision was the good accessibility of the Itzurun area, as, thanks to the geological movements that culminated in the formation of the Pyrenees, no excavations are required as the structures are vertical and can be “read” like the pages of a book. Scientists can therefore travel back in time to a period between the disappearance of dinosaurs to the first period of global warming of our planet.
For this reason, besides providing valuable information on the different stages into which the Palaeocene is divided (Danian, Selandian and Thanetian), a study of the strata of the cliffs in Zumaia can provide clues on the effects and consequences of similar phenomena that have yet to take place.
abanibi, johnfreeman has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekEarth members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekEarth members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To abanibi: foto divulgaciónmirarer 2 12-19 13:11
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

A very singular kind of cliff !! Good Shot

Hola Mirari! El acantilado es espectacular! Seguro que esta foto le encantaría a mi amiga la geóloga :-) Es una pena que la luz, muy lateral, no ayude a marcar más las formas. Muy naturales los colores y perfecta la línea del horizonte. Pero con todo, creo que debería tener más contraste. He hecho un WS rápido jugando con niveles, curvas y contraste, que creo que le da más relieve; creo que el efecto podría ser un poco más sutil, pero eso te lo dejo a ti ;-)
Interesante!
Un abrazo,
Inés

Hi Mirari,
I was delighted to see a picture of Zumaia as this beach is one of my favourite locations on the Basque coast. The geological formations are magnificent! Here I like the contrast between the red and blue and the sense of scale of the cliff, but I agree with abanibi that the lighting conditions probably weren't ideal and the light is a bit flat. Very early in the morning would probably have been better.
John

Hi Mirari,
Vry good photo and great colours!!
merry christmas, Vivi

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF