These large blocks of rock are known as rip rap. They act as a breakwater and are used to protect the boats in Seaview Marina from large waves. The dolomite rocks from Golden Bay were barged across Cook Strait to Wellington, which lacks suitable rocks – the region’s greywacke is generally too shattered to form large blocks. Rip rap is also used as armour on earth dams (to stop waves eroding the dam) and to stop rivers eroding river banks around bridge supports.
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by Simon Nathan
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