Limestone rock formations in El Torcal de Antequera near Antequera, in the Province of Málaga in Andalucia, Spain. It is regarded as one of the most i


Limestone rock formations in El Torcal de Antequera near Antequera, in the Province of Málaga in Andalucia, Spain. It is regarded as one of the most impressive karst landscapes in Europe. The Jurassic limestone is about 150 million years old and was laid down in a marine corridor, seabeds that were uplifted to an elevation of over 1300 meters during the Tertiary era, resulting in a modest mountain range of flat-lying limestone. Later, fractures, cracks and faults were exploited by erosion and produced the alleys between large blocks of limestone visible today. The blocks themselves have been subjected to both dissolution by water and freeze-thaw splitting action which resulted in the various shapes visible today. The area was designated a Natural Site of National Interest in July 1929, and a Natural Park Reserve of about 17 square kilometres was created in October 1978.


Size: 5400px × 3574px
Location: El Torcal de Antequera near Antequera, in the Province of Málaga in Andalucia, Spain.
Photo credit: © George Munday / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: ancient, andalucia, andalusia, antequera, antiquity, attraction, attractive, awe, beauty, charming, countryside, culture, de, del, erosion, formations, geological, geology, heritage, imposing, inspiring, interest, jurassic, karst, landscape, limestone, malaga, mountain, national, park, pavement, period, prehistoric, prehistory, province, range, rock, rugged, rural, scientific, sculptural, sculpture, sculptured, sculptures, sierra, site, spain, spanish, special, stone, strata, stunning, torcal, tourism, tourist, wild