Fossil waves of Padilla del Ducado: a 240-million-year-old seabed

Waves frozen in stone

When waves wash over a shallow sandy bed, they leave it rippled, just like on any beach at low tide. Roughly 240 million years ago, during the Triassic, a shallow sea covered this area, and one of those rippled surfaces was buried and turned to stone. Today it crops out near the rim of the Barranco de la Madre (or Lamadre stream), beside Padilla del Ducado, a hamlet of Anguita, extending over several hundred metres on both sides of the ravine.

Why it is so rare

These are giant wave ripples: the distance from crest to crest is 40 to 60 centimetres, with each ripple wave rising about 4 to 5 centimetres. They are scarce in ancient rocks worldwide, and the Spanish Geological Survey considers this the best and, for now, only place in Spain where they can be seen over such an extent. Their alignment also reveals where the ancient coastline lay: toward the southwest.

Visiting

The site is unconditioned. Look without stepping on the edge of the ravine or hammering the rock. Nearby are the Tajuña gorges and Cueva de la Hoz. More in Before us.