Saturday, March 2, 2013

Moon Rocks and a few other oddities at Salt Point Park as photographed by John Sperry

These unusual rock formations, nicknamed Moon Rocks, can be seen just south of Stump Beach at Salt Point State Park. John Sperry recently photographed them.


They are calleded Moon Rocks because of their many craters. These are sedimentary sandstone formations. They actually continue underwater and provide valuable habitat for marine life. Above the sea, salt crystals are found in the cracks and crevices, which are called tafoni. Kasaya Pomo collected salt there for many years, using abalone shells as chisels. This is how this land came be to named Salt Point.


John photographed several other unusual rock formations there. Rick and I have hiked there many times and it is a place like no other.

Thanks to John for allowing me to share his photos with you here.


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2 comments:

  1. janingualalaMarch 3, 2013 at 9:00 AM

    The first time I saw these, I was officiating a wedding for a delightful couple who wanted an informal, but beautiful setting. They had discovered the tafoni on their own, but this was my first time. You are correct, Jeanne, it was like we had been deposited on a moonscape.

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  2. Jeanne JacksonMarch 4, 2013 at 7:34 AM

    What an interesting place to get married! I love it.

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