Tombolos are geological formations that are made up of sediment and usually create bridges between the terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The clearest case is of a tombolo that connects an island with the surface. There are numerous tombolos in Spain that are worth knowing and that are protected places.
Therefore, in this article we are going to show you which are the best-known tombolos in Spain and how they were formed.
What is a tombolo?
Un tombolo is a geological formation composed of sediment that creates a narrow land bridge connecting an island or large rock located far from the coast to the mainland, or between two islands or large rocks. Notable examples of tombolos include the Rock of Ifach, the sandy isthmus that connects the Rock of Gibraltar to the mainland, that which links Peñíscola to the mainland, and the Tombolo of Cape Trafalgar. Previously, the cities of Cádiz, La Coruña, Gijón and San Sebastián were coastal islands, but now they are connected to the mainland through tombolos.
Typically, these formations occur as a result of the refraction of waves around the islands, causing sand and pebbles to accumulate at the meeting point of the waves. A rise in sea level can also contribute to the sedimentation process by pushing materials upward. An example of this type of formation is Chesil Beach, which serves as a connecting bridge between the Isle of Portland and Dorset in England. This pebble ridge runs relatively parallel to the coast. Another example is Adam's Bridge, also known as Rama Bridge, which historically connected India with Sri Lanka. If the landmass has not yet been completely attached to the coast, it is called a hemitombolo.
Where can I see tombolos in Spain?
Trafalgar Tombo
Located in the municipality of Barbate, the Punta de Trafalgar area covers both land and sea. With a surface total of about 665 hectares, the space is predominantly marine, comprising 551 hectares (83% of the total) while the remaining 114 hectares are land and exclusively owned by Barbate.
The land area covers El Baldío and Cabo de Trafalgar, along with part of the Trafalgar campsite. In a simplified way, it is a small sandstone island located between the inlets of Conil and Barbate in Cádiz. This island is connected to the mainland by a double transverse tombolo formed by loose sands of recent origin, forming a distinctive arrow shape. It is shaped like an inverted triangle, limiting its northwest vertex with the urban center of Zahora, and its northeast side bordering the Playa del Estrecho urbanization and the La Breña and Marismas del Barbate Natural Park. This area marks the land limit of the coastline.
In the western part, the marine zone consists of a narrow strip of approximately 100 meters that runs parallel to the coast, while in the southern part, it encompasses a protected area around the tomb that extends for almost 2 kilometers. This protected area extends to the southeastern edge of the western sector of the La Breña and Marismas del Barbate Natural Park, forming its border.
Due to its location within the La Breña and Marismas del Barbate Natural Park, the space assigned to one of its sectors cannot contribute to the establishment of a large contiguous natural space with optimal ecological connectivity. This is because the union between the annex space and the park, which consists of disconnected sectors, occurs in the smallest and westernmost sector. As a result, the combined natural area only extends slightly beyond a narrow coastal strip that measures just over 1 km long and one hundred meters wide, resembling a wedge shape that fits into the Trafalgar Point area. Furthermore, the marine area lacks connections with other spaces, although the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean promote comprehensive and barrier-free ecological connectivity.
Tombolo of the Launch
The Lanzada tombulo is a coastal geological formation located on Lanzada Beach, in Galicia, Spain. It is characterized by a sandy spit that extends out to sea from the coast, creating a kind of narrow isthmus connecting the main beach with a small island called Lanzada Island. The formation of the Lanzada tombulo is due to several natural processes affecting the coast. First, The transport of sediment by ocean currents and waves deposits sand in the coastal zone. The action of the tides and winds then shapes this accumulation of sand, giving form to the tomb.
A tombulo forms when a longshore current parallel to the coastline encounters an obstacle, such as a submerged rock or a nearby island, and deflects, depositing sediment in the surrounding area. Over time, this sediment accumulates and forms a sandbar that extends from the coast out to sea, creating the tombulo.
Tombolo Castro Island
The Castro Island Tombolo is another notable coastal formation located in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain. Like the Lanzada Tombolo, it has similar characteristics, but is distinguished by connecting the coast to a larger island, Castro Island.
The formation of Tómbolo Isla de Castro follows a geological process similar to the rest. Initially, The action of ocean currents and the transport of sediment by waves deposit sand on the coast. Over time, this accumulation of sediment patterns and spreads seaward due to the interaction of coastal currents and prevailing winds.
The particularity of Tómbolo Isla de Castro lies in the fact that the sand spit extends until it reaches Castro Island, connecting it with the coast. This connection creates an isthmus that allows access to the island on foot during low tide. This phenomenon of the formation of tombolos in Spain It is an example of how natural processes act in the creation of these structures.
Tombolo of Peñíscola
The Tómbolo de Peñíscola is another notable coastal formation found in the town of Peñíscola, in the province of Castellón, Spain. What distinguishes the Tómbolo de Peñíscola is its connection with the imposing Peñíscola Castle, which is located on a small peninsula. The tomb forms a kind of sand bridge connecting this peninsula to the main coast, allowing access on foot during low tide.