geology of Table Mountain National Park

Long before the Rockies or the Himalayas formed, Table Mountain began to rise out of the sea (by isostacy). The emerging relief was checked and scarred by the erosion of sea, wind, rain, fire and ice.

There are three types of rock in the park:

• ancient Malmesbury shale

• Cape granite

• hard Table Mountain quartzitic sandstone

The erosion of these rocks has resulted in rugged cliffs, beautiful bays & beaches, but also sandy, shallow nutrient-poor soil.

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geology of Table Mountain National Park