The Pinnacles (Dorset) facts for kids
The Pinnacles are amazing chalk formations in Dorset, southern England. They are like tall pillars of rock standing in the sea. One is a "stack," which is a tall, thin rock column. The other is a "stump," which is shorter and wider. You can find them close to Handfast Point on the Isle of Purbeck.
Where to Find The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles are located in a beautiful part of Dorset, England. They are just east of a place called Studland. You can find them about 200 meters (that's about 650 feet) south of the famous Old Harry Rocks. They are also about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) northeast of the town of Swanage.
The land around The Pinnacles is called the Ballard Downs. These chalk cliffs are owned by the National Trust. The National Trust helps protect special places in England. You can see these cool rock formations from the South West Coast Path. This path runs along the coast of Dorset.
How The Pinnacles Were Formed
The rocks at Ballard Down are made of chalk. This chalk also has some bands of flint in it. These rocks were formed a very long time ago, about 66 million years ago! Over many centuries, the sea has slowly worn away the rock. This process is called erosion.
To create the stacks, the sea first finds weak spots in the chalk. It erodes along cracks and softer parts of the rock. This slowly creates a cave. As the sea keeps eroding, the cave gets bigger and eventually goes all the way through the rock, forming an arch.
After a long time, the top of the arch can collapse. When this happens, it leaves behind tall, separate pillars of rock. These pillars are what we call "stacks." The Pinnacles are an example of these amazing stacks.
You might even be able to see the Needles on the Isle of Wight from here. They are also made of the same chalk. Only a few thousand years ago, the Needles were connected to Ballard Down!
