Page 11 - AHATA

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local Wednesday 10 september 2025
Aruba’s Bocas: home to the rarest fossil reefs on the planet!

(Oranjestad)—If you’ve The ground on which we
been to the northern coast of have walked many times
Aruba already, you’ve prob- on the northern part of the
ably noticed how the ground island hold such rich history,
differs entirely from the san- history that dates back to
dy beaches on the southern a time that most of us can-
part of the island. These hard not even imagine. As the
surfaces, with sharp bumps scientists themselves have
and holes are actually fos- pointed out, these fossilized
silized coral reefs, of which reefs on the windward side
its growth and changes can are truly an incredible and
be traced back to the last rare remnant of geologi-
glacial period. cal history, as they provide
a clear view of how these
On May 30 2023, geosci- reefs have formed.
entists, Dr. Patrick Boyden
from the Marum research This research is also impor-
faculty at the University of tant for the future of coral
Bremen, Prof. dr. Alessio Ro- reefs on the island. By study-
vere from the Ca’ Foscari ing rising sea levels and cli-
University of Venice and Prof. mate impact on these coral
dr. Gianfranco Scicchitano, reefs, we are able to take
from the University of Bari concrete action in protect-
Aldo Moro, presented their ing and preserve our coral
research on these fossilized reefs. So, if you are ever visit-
coral reefs at the University and can respond to fluctu- models of the reefs, they thousands of years, and the ing one of the bocas or driv-
of Aruba. Their focus for their ating sea levels or extreme were able to narrow down effects that this fluctuation ing along the northern part
research included study- weather, like hurricanes and when these formations start- has had on the coral reefs of of the island, please be con-
ing the health and forma- tsunamis. ed to take place. They were the windward side of Aruba. scious to help protect our
tion patterns of these coral also able to track the fluc- natural historical remnant.
reefs, and to investigate how Through underwater and tuation of sea levels during These findings can certainly Oh, and wear (coral-friendly)
these reefs have responded land surveillance, and 3D the past hundred or even put things into perspective. sunscreen!q

Aruba: The island of Aloes

ORANJESTAD – Aloe vera, a means. Dutch Governor ba, it changed the labor
succulent plant species, is Van Raders introduced the market on Aruba, shifting
renowned for its incredible plant after it had been in- away from agriculture. It
properties for the skin. It is troduced in other islands of would be after World War
widely distributed and usu- the Caribbean to cultivate II that aloe would make a
ally grows in tropical, semi- and harvest the aloe to comeback. And eventu-
tropical and arid climates produce the laxative. ally, as science learned
on the planet. But this plant about the amazing proper-
also had a very prominent Around 1920, about two- ties of aloe gel, the indus-
role in the history of Aruba, thirds of Aruba was aloe try shifted from producing
and its significance to the fields, earning our island laxative to producing skin
island’s economy endures the nickname “The Island care. An interesting fact is
to this day. of Aloes.” that in 1951, the production
of Aruban aloe amounted
The leaves of Aloe vera Under Commander Jan to around 30 percent of the
contain a good amount of Helenus Ferguson (1866- total global production!
gel which when used topi- 1871), aloe experienced a
cally, is great for the skin. boom, which is why there The impact and relevance
Traditionally, Arubans use is a road named after him, of aloe is visible all around
this gel to treat minor burns which goes through the Aruba. While most homes
and other skin ailments, aloe fields. In the 19th cen- will have a few plants for
or just to keep skin supple tury, Aruba was the main personal use and decora-
and looking bright and supplier of aloin for laxa- tion, houses are also deco-
nourished. Aside from the tive, which was imported rated with aloe motifs, and
gel, aloe contains a bitter, abroad to the United States at some point, aloe even
yellow substance (called and Europe. The aloin from featured on post stamps.
aloin) which is a gentle but Aruba and Curaçao was Around 1920, about two-
powerful laxative, and it is known to be one of the thirds of Aruba was aloe
also the origin of the indus- best in the world and was fields, earning our island the
try of aloe in Aruba. more expensive, which nickname “The Island of Al-
meant that at the time, it oes.” And in 1955, the aloe
According to the website had significant economic became a part of Aruba’s
of Royal Aruba Aloe, Aloe impact, particularly for the coat of arms, symbolizing
vera was introduced in local farmers. prosperity for the island.q
Aruba around 1840, when
most of the island’s inhab- However, by the time the Images from the archive of
itants were farmers of little oil industry arrived on Aru- the National Library of Aruba.