WAVE ROCK

WAVE ROCK is a NATURAL GRANITE ROCK formation. It is just 3 km from HYDEN, Western Australia. It is 15 m high and 110 m long.

Here are some fun facts about this Wave Rock!

FORMATION!

• The shape of the rock is not caused by a wave phenomenon.
• Its rounded wave-like shape is caused by subsurface chemical weathering and removal of soft weathered granite by fluvial erosion. This has undercut the base and left a rounded overhang.
• This happened about 60,000,000 years ago when it was exposed.

COLORS!

• The colors of the rock are caused by the rain, that washes chemical deposits (carbonates and iron hydroxide) down the face.
• Also water from the springs, dissolve minerals adding to the color of the rock.
• The darker streaks are due to algae growing on the surface, as dark black stains which change to brown during the dry season.
• The changing sunlight at different times of a day, alter the rock’s color and appearance.

WATER STORAGE!

• Apart from being an impressive tourist attraction, this rock has been converted into a catchment for the town’s water supplies. 
• A foot-high concrete wall, about halfway up the rock, allows rainwater to be collected in a storage dam.
• It was constructed in 1951 by the Public Works Department.
• This is one aspect of Wave Rock, which is rarely shown on photographs!