Menorca is made up of a great variety of rocks of different ages. Its origin is from the Palaeozoic era, specifically some 410 million years ago, and it is here where the genesis of the most primitive materials of the island began, particularly in the municipality of Alaior located within the Migjorn or southern region. The coastal and central area of the municipal district is formed by different materials from the Miocene era, although in the ravine areas there are materials from the Quaternary era. This makes the municipality a geologically interesting and diverse place in which to observe the terrain.
Geological Route
The history of the island concentrated on rock
Son Bou
4.36 km - Easy
This walking route goes along Son Bou beach until you reach the district of Es Migjorn Gran. Discover, among other elements, the longest beach in Menorca.
The itinerary takes you mainly through the dune and beach system, where you will come across various morphological sections related to the beach’s characteristics, such as how the wind has shaped the vegetation and its stability, plus the geomorphological processes that take place.
The existence of a marsh, its former utilisation and the connection with the ravines helps us to understand the topography of this sunken area with regard to the cliffs by Llucalari.
Apart from the dune system, you will be able to see karst shoreline formations, the extraction of marès from the old quarries by the coast and the how the Atalis cliffs are fractured. The morphological consequences along the current rocky coastline between Atlis and the St. Tomàs beach are very interesting.
