Nanaimo Sandstone

The exposed sandstone layers around Nanaimo have some pretty crazy shapes. Did you know that the sandstone is actually part of the Nanaimo Group, a geological formation are made of Late Cretacious sedimentary rocks? The most well-known are the Malaspina Galleries, the wave-shaped rocks on Gabriola Island. The First Nations people knew of this magical place for centuries and the first Europeans to see them were Spanish naval officers Dionisio and Alcala Galiano and Cayetano Valdes y Flores in 1792. The erosion patterns look like honey combs, waves and/or cannon balls stuck in the wall. The formation of these crazy erosion patterns is still under debate but I support the hypothesis it is due to salt water evaporating on the south-western sides of the rock. The erosion can be seen on sandstone in the general area of Nanaimo, from Hornby Island to the Gulf Islands and including NewCastle Island (Saysutshun). A great way to see them is by kayak! Contact us when you want to book a tour and hear more about these cool formations.