Omarama Clay Cliffs facts for kids
The Omarama Clay Cliffs are a unique group of tall, jagged cliffs in the South Island of New Zealand. They are also known as the Ahuriri River Clay Cliffs or the Clay Cliffs Paritea. You can find them near the north bank of the Ahuriri River, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) west of the small town of Omarama.
These cliffs are a popular tourist attraction for visitors to the area. They are on private land, so there is a small fee to park your car and explore them.
How Were the Clay Cliffs Formed?
The Omarama Clay Cliffs were created over a very long time, starting about two million years ago. They are made from many layers of fine soil, called silt, and small stones, called gravel.
The Ice Age and Sediment Layers
During the Ice Age, huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, moved across the land. As they moved, these glaciers slowly wore away rocks and soil, a process called erosion. This eroded material was carried by melting ice and water. It settled in layers, building up over thousands of years. These layers of silt and gravel eventually became the material that forms the cliffs today. They are part of a larger group of ancient sediments known as the Hawkdun Group.
Uplift by the Ostler Fault
After these layers of sediment were laid down, the land began to move. A large crack in the Earth's crust, called the Ostler Fault, is located nearby. This fault caused the ground to push upwards, a process called uplift. As the land rose, the softer layers of silt and gravel were exposed to the weather. Wind and rain then carved them into the sharp, dramatic shapes you see today.
