Researchers at the University of Melbourne have, for the first time, explained how Australia's famous Twelve Apostles were created. Their findings show that movements of tectonic plates over millions of years gradually lifted and tilted these massive rock formations out of the ocean.
Until now, scientists had only a limited understanding of how the Twelve Apostles developed into the landmark seen today.
A Natural Record of Ancient Climate and Sea Levels
Associate Professor Stephen Gallagher, the study's lead researcher from the University of Melbourne's School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, said this tectonic activity turned the Apostles into one of the most complete and accessible records of past environmental conditions.
"Much like an environmental time capsule, each layer of these giant structures preserved information about the Earth's climate, tectonic activity, plants and animals over millions of years, including a key time about 13.8 million years ago when the climate was much warmer than what it is today," Associate Professor Gallagher explained.
