Blowholes

Christmas Island

The Australian territory of Christmas Island sits hundreds of miles away from that country in the Indian Ocean.¹ The brave travelers who venture to the island’s shores, however, are treated to a remarkable display of blowholes. Waves crashing against Christmas Island’s limestone cliffs force air and water up through the holes, which causes a great deal of noise and creates geysers as much as 65 feet high.^{2 3}

Although the blowholes are an impressive spectacle to behold, the waves that formed them also present an element of danger. In 2012, a man fishing from the cliffs drowned after a rogue wave swept him out to sea.⁴

Next: Blue Basin

References

1. About Christmas Island. Christmas Island Tourism Association. Accessed 10 July 2012.
2. Blowholes, Beaches and Other Highlights of the Christmas Island. Traveldudes. Accessed 10 July 2012.
3. The Blowholes. Mountains & Beyond. Accessed 10 July 2012.
4. Guest, Debbie. Contractor Swept Off Christmas Island Rocks. The Australian. 23 Apr. 2012. Accessed 10 July 2012.

Published 2018-06-18