This is one of the best examples of a marine abrasion arch of the island of Mallorca.
Abrasion bridges are arch-shaped structures produced by the degradation and retrocession of the littoral cliffs. The existence of karstic cavities in the proximities of the coast has great importance in their formation.
View of the abrasion arch of Es Pontàs.
The process begins when a pre-existing cave is communicated with the sea. Then the degradation process of the cave accelerates with the beginning of the littoral processes (waves, tides, etc.)
With the passing of time, the cave finally collapses and parts of it can become isolated in the form of islands or islets, sometimes with shaped of towers or arches.
In the case of Es Pontàs, the structure is now in phase C of the figure, but in the zone of Cala Barques (Manacor) there is an example of phase B: the Cova d’Es Pontàs.
In spite of the impression of durability and solidity they may give, structures like Es Pontàs are ephemeral in geological terms, destined to disappear engulfed by the sea.
Diagram of the process of formation of an abrasion bridge.
There are also cases in which the collapse of the littoral cavity gives rise to a small cove or inlet, like that of s’Olla, located in the vicinity of Es Pontàs.
Inlet of s’Olla.
