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local Tuesday 12 december 2023
Aruba’s Bocas: home to the rarest fossil reefs on the planet!

(Oranjestad)—If you’ve been to Scicchitano, from the University able to track the fluctuation of sea geological history, as they provide
the northern coast of Aruba al- of Bari Aldo Moro, presented their levels during the past hundred or a clear view of how these reefs
ready, you’ve probably noticed research on these fossilized coral even thousands of years, and the have formed.
how the ground differs entirely from reefs at the University of Aruba. effects that this fluctuation has had
the sandy beaches on the southern Their focus for their research includ- on the coral reefs of the windward This research is also important for
part of the island. These hard sur- ed studying the health and forma- side of Aruba. the future of coral reefs on the is-
faces, with sharp bumps and holes tion patterns of these coral reefs, land. By studying rising sea lev-
are actually fossilized coral reefs, and to investigate how these reefs These findings can certainly put els and climate impact on these
of which its growth and changes have responded and can respond things into perspective. The ground coral reefs, we are able to take
can be traced back to the last gla- to fluctuating sea levels or extreme on which we have walked many concrete action in protecting and
cial period. weather, like hurricanes and tsuna- times in the northern part of the preserving our coral reefs. So, if you
mis. island hold such rich history, histo- are ever visiting one of the bocas
On May 30 2023, geoscientists, Dr. ry that dates back to a time that or driving along the northern part
Patrick Boyden from the Marum Through underwater and land sur- most of us cannot even imagine. of the island, please be conscious
research faculty at the University veillance, and 3D models of the As the scientists themselves have to help protect our natural histori-
of Bremen, Prof. dr. Alessio Rovere reefs, they were able to narrow pointed out, these fossilized reefs cal remnant. Oh, and wear (coral-
from the Ca' Foscari University of down when these formations start- on the windward side are truly an friendly) sunscreen! q
Venice and Prof. dr. Gianfranco ed to take place. They were also incredible and rare remnant of

Blackstone Beach

(Oranjestad)—Named after its Blackstone Beach shows the more
most recognizable feature, the natural side of Aruba: the stones
Blackstone Beach almost rep- that cover the beaches and the
resents the opposite of the typi- shape of it has been crafted for
cal Aruban beaches. For one, it thousand years via volcanic erup-
has black sand and is covered in tions, coral reef movements and
black smooth stones. Secondly, it wave activity of the rural northern
lies on the northern side of the is- part of the island.
land, away from the white sandy
beaches of in the southern region. Located further east to the Natu-
So, if you feel up for something dif- ral Bridge and Andicuri Beach,
ferent—or if it’s opposite day, visit the Blackstone Beach is relatively
the Blackstone Beach. easy to access. Once you get

passed the Ayo Rock Formation, being called a beach, do note
take the Andicuri road leading up that it is not advised to swim in the
to Andicuri Beach. There, you can water, as the current is very strong
park your car and take a 1km hike and can easily stray you further
towards Blackstone Beach. in the wild ocean. However, you
can still enjoy a spectacular view
This beach forms part of the Arikok of the stones and the northern
National Park and is therefore a ocean that stretches out in front
site that is preserved. This is why of the beach and take a picture
it is also relatively untouched by with your friends or family!q
commercial influences. Despite