The Baths at Virgin GordaWelcome to The Baths. These giant granite boulders are evidence of an ancie

The Baths at Virgin GordaWelcome to The Baths. These giant granite boulders are evidence of an ancient volcanic hot spot that molded and shaped the Caribbean islands beginning as many as 50 million years ago. The volcanic activity gave rise to the island of Virgin Gorda which extends about 15.3 km (9.5 mi) long and 0.55km (0.34 mi) - 3.44 km (2.14 mi) wide. During the island’s formation, molten rock seeped up into the existing rock layer in the area, but never reached the surface. The magma cooled and formed a layer of granite within the layers of rock. Over time, these layers of rock shrunk and cracked which formed the granite boulders. The boulders were eroded over many years which rounded and smoothed them into their current appearance.The boulders measure as wide as 12.19 m (40 ft) in diameter and are sporadically placed along the island’s western beachfront. Some are embedded deep into the sand, some rest against one another, some are entirely on the land and some are submerged beneath the sea. The quantity of these boulders is jaw-dropping to say the least. They get their name, “The Baths”, from the small pools and river channels that weave in and out of one another which create an ambiance unique to the otherwise arcane island.One can’t help but to feel a sense of awe when they are surrounded by thousands of tons of ancient granite, surrounded in just a few feet of warm Caribbean water. There, only few sun-rays trickle their way into The Baths and reflect onto the surrounding granite walls. This exciting geology does not limit itself to only the beachfront however. Under the depths of the tides, even more boulders and ancient volcanic rocks lay on the ocean floor engulfed with marine life. Again, a once hellish landscape has made a full cycle into divinity. Thank you planet Earth; you are awesome.-Pete DPhoto Credit:Steve DevolReferences:1.http://www.irf.org/documents/VG%20Profile%20Final/VG_Environmental_Profile_May_2012.pdf 2.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/22/tectonic-plates-caribbean-islands-study_n_1823487.html 3.http://www.britishvirginislands.com/vg.htm 4.http://www.bvitourism.com/activity/baths-national-park -- source link

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