Forces in Nature

life_in_maine_force_in_natureAlong the rocky coast on Maine, you see cobbles, large weathered stones. These granite cobbles are on a basalt dyke on Little Moose Island. They have obviously been rounded by erosion. And they are big—I doubt I could lift the larger rocks in this image. The amazing thing is that these cobbles did not fall onto this spot—there is no place from which to fall—but rather these were cast out of the sea by the force of the tides, currents, and storm swells. If you are thinking these are near the waterline, you would be mistaken. This ledge is about 5 m or 15 ft. above the water, not far below where this picture was taken. Click on the image for a larger view.