BARRIKA

BARRIKA, THE CATHEDRAL OF FOLDS

PLIS DE BARRIKA, TXITXARROPUNTA-KURTZIO

80 million years ago, the African and European tectonic plates started a process of collision that lasted millions of years. It produced numerous enormous folds in the layers of the Earth, as well as other smaller folds like the ones in Barrika.

In Barrika, the rock folds twist and turn forming stunning geological structures with great tectonic complexity. The folds can be seen in both the wave-cut platform and the cliffs.

Specifically, an exceptional outcropping of chevron type (V shaped) angular folds can be seen in the cove known as Goikomendiazpi, which has made the place famous among geologists who call it the “Sistine chapel of angular folds”.

In the cove, you can see a fishtail shaped fold interference feature that gives you an idea of the complexity of the deformation process in this place.