The  geology  of  Barbados

Barbados  is  part  of  the  Caribbean  
plate  and  exhibits  a  unique  geologic  
history . Unlike  most  of  the  small  
islands  that  make  up  the  island  arc  
in  the  Caribbean , Barbados  is  not  
volcanic . Its  origin  can  be  traced  to  
plate  tectonic  movement  {of  the  
Caribbean  plate}  and  the  physical  
and  mechanical  activities  associated  
with  it  and  coral  formation .

The  role  of  plate  tectonics

As  the  Caribbean  plate  broke  away  from  the  South  American  plate  
and  slowly  moved  northwards  pressure  within  and  beneath  the  
mantel  caused  deformations  to  occur  on  the  ocean  floor . This  
intense  build  up  of  pressure  caused  faults  to  develop . The  
continued  movement  of  the  plate  forced  parts  of  the  earth`s  crust  
between  fault-lines  to  be  pushed  upwards .

This  upward  movement  of  the  ocean  floor  was  also  accompanied  by  
folding  of  the  rocks  into  synclines , anticlines  and  recumbent  folds .  
Over  millions  of  years  this  combination  of  folding  and  faulting  
eventually  lead  to  an  emergent  block  of  land  which  became  
Barbados .

The  role  of  corals

Barbados`  geology  consists  entirely  of  limestone  and  the  reason  for  
this  can  be  found  in  its  geologic  history . In  the  tropical  waters  of  
the  Caribbean  ideal  conditions  for  coral  growth  existed . The  ocean  
currents  that  circulated  the  equator  are  warm  which  provided  the  
corals  on  the  ocean  floor  with  suitable  temperatures  as  well  as  
nutrients .

Over  time  the  coral  colony  gradually  grew  extending  itself  several  
kilometers  across  the  ocean  floor  and  several  kilometers  thick .  
These  coral  limestone  were  important  because  they  not  only  gave  
rise  to  Barbados`  unique  shape , but  also  the  physical  
characteristics  of  the  island . As  the  the  ocean  floor  continued  to  
rise  the  hard  coral  limestone  became  emerged  to  form  the  island  
of  Barbados .

Surface  geology  of  Barbados

Many  of  the  Caribbean  islands  of  the  island  arc  such  as  Martinique ,  
Grenada  and  St.  Vincent  display  very  high  mountain  ranges  due  to  their
 volcanic  origin . Barbados , on  the  other  hand , is  almost  flat  except  for  
some  very  small  hills . This  is  because  during  its  formation  the  entire  
block  of  coral  limestone  was  uplifted  to  form  a  flat  surface .

In  addition  to  this  years  of  chemical , biological  and  mechanical  
weathering  of  the  limestone  ensured  that  the  landsurface  was  
flat . One  very  unique  feature  of  Barbados  is  that  there  are  no  
surface  rivers  on  the  island . This  is  because  limestone  is  very  
porous  and  eaisly  eroded  away .

There  are , however , an  abundance  of  subterranean  features  such  as  
sinkholes , underground  caves  and  subterranean  streams . The  
underlying  layers  of  Barbados  consists  of  complex  networks  of  
these  features .

IF  BARBADOS  HAS  NO  SURFACE  RIVERS  THEN  WHERE  DOES  THE  
COUNTRY  GET  ITS  WATER  SUPPLY  FROM  ?  All  of  the  country`s  
drinking  water  is  obtained  from  underground  sources . There  are  many  
aquifers  located  across  the  island  that  provide  what  is  considered  to  
be  among  the  purest  supplies  of  water  in  the  world .

The  island  is  dotted  with  many  caves  which  are  among  the  most  
popular  tourist  attractions  to  visit . Harrisons cave  is  a  good  example  
of  these  physical  forces  that  continue  to  shape    the  island .  Within  
the  cave  pools , stalgamites , stalactites , pillars  and  flow  stones  {
formed  thousands  of  years  ago }  show  the  effects  of  weathering  and  
erosion .

Did  Dinosaurs  Inhabit  Barbados ?

Unlike  Trinidad , dinosaurs  did  not  inhabit  Barbados . There  are  several  
reasons  for  this . The  island  is  relatively  young  when  compared  to  the
age  of  the  continents . There  are , however , fossils  of  marine  
organisms  such  as  mollusc , fishes  and  coral  that  can  be  found . The  
old  raised  beach  terraces  which  can  be  found  on  coastal  areas  are  a
 good  place  to  start  looking  for  fossil  remains .

Because  Trinidad  was  once  connected  to  Venezuela  on  the  South  
American  continent , dinosaurs  fossils  will be  present  on  this  island . In  
fact  the  leg  bone  of  a  GIANT  SLOTH  was  found  in  south  Trinidad . The  
fossil  is  now  on  exhibit  at  the  National  History  Museum  in  Trinidad .