Karst, as defined in its Wikipedia entry:
a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble carbonate rocks such as limestone and dolomite. It is characterized by features like poljes above and drainage systems with sinkholes and caves underground.
Much of Raja Ampat – including more than one thousand of its small islands, isles and islets – is karst.
The soluble nature of the relevant rock is often unmistakably evident.
The featured image’s karst islet is part of a little archipelago known as Wayil, or Wayil Batan.
Wayil’s isles and islets are a little off the south coast of Misool Island.
Their reefs provide superb snorkelling.
Misool is one of the four substantial, “main” islands, after which Raja Ampat is named.
“Raja Ampat” translates to English as “Four Kings”.
By speedboat, the “Indonesian”/ “West Papua” part of of New Guinea is within four hours of this post’s location.
(photo is copyright Doug Spencer, taken at 11.19 am on 10 October 2024. The next post’s featured image was taken not so far away, more than six hours later, “Karst” is still the keyword, but what I gazed upon at 5.44 pm looked like a different “world”)
Comments