# Calanque
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{{short description|Narrow inlet on the Mediterranean coast}}
{{for|the national park located in Bouches-du-Rhône|Calanques National Park}}
[[Image:Carte calanques marseille.jpg|thumb|280px|Map of the Calanques between [Marseille](/source/Marseille) and [La Ciotat](/source/La_Ciotat), [France](/source/France)]]
[[File:Panorama-Calanque de Sugiton.jpg|thumb|280px|The [Calanque de Sugiton](/source/Calanque_de_Sugiton) is the largest located within the city limits of [Marseille](/source/Marseille)]]
A '''calanque''' ({{IPA|fr|kalɑ̃k|lang}}, "inlet"; {{langx|co|calanca}}, plural ''calanche'' or ''calanchi''; {{langx|oc|calanca}}, plural ''calancas'') is a narrow, steep-walled inlet that is developed in [limestone](/source/limestone), [dolomite](/source/Dolomite_(rock)), or other [carbonate](/source/Carbonate_minerals) [strata](/source/strata) and found along the Mediterranean coast. A calanque is a steep-sided valley formed within [karst](/source/karst)ic regions either by [fluvial](/source/fluvial) erosion or the collapse of the roof of a cave that has been subsequently partially submerged by a rise in [sea level](/source/sea_level).[Bird, E.C.F., 2008, ''Coastal Geomorphology: An Introduction'', 2nd ed. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. West Sussex, England. {{ISBN|978-0-470-51729-1}}][Goudie, A., 2004, ''Encyclopedia of Geomorphology.'' Routledge. London, England. {{ISBN|0-415-27298-X}}][Monroe, W.H., 1970, ''A Glossary of Karst Terminology.'' Water-Supply Paper 1899-K. U.S. Geological Survey. Reston, Virginia.]
== Characteristics ==
===Location===
The best known examples of this formation can be found in the [Massif des Calanques](/source/Massif_des_Calanques) (''Massís dei calancas'' in [Occitan](/source/Occitan_language), the traditional local language) in the [Bouches-du-Rhône](/source/Bouches-du-Rh%C3%B4ne) [department](/source/Departments_of_France) of [Southern France](/source/Southern_France). The range extends for {{cvt|20|km|||}} in length and {{convert|4|km|spell=in||}} in width along the coast between [Marseille](/source/Marseille) and [Cassis](/source/Cassis), culminating in [Mont Puget](/source/Mont_Puget) ({{cvt|565|m|disp=or||}}). Similar calanques can also be found on the [French Riviera](/source/French_Riviera) near the [Massif de l'Esterel](/source/Massif_de_l'Esterel) and on the island of [Corsica](/source/Corsica) ([Calanques de Piana](/source/Calanques_de_Piana)). The highest points along the calanques are located at [Mont Puget](/source/Mont_Puget) ({{cvt|565|m|disp=or||}}) and in the mountains of Marseilleveyre ({{cvt|432|m|disp=or||}}).[{{cite web|url=http://www.frenchmoments.com/Calanques.html|title=THE CALANQUES, Provence|year=2012|accessdate=2012-10-10|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112005220/http://www.frenchmoments.com/Calanques.html|archivedate=2012-01-12}}] Similarities are seen between calanques and ''[ria](/source/ria)s'', the river mouths formed along the coast of [Brittany](/source/Brittany) in Northern France.
The [limestone](/source/limestone) calanques of the Massif des Calanques lie within the recently created [Calanques National Park](/source/Calanques_National_Park) (2012) and include the [Calanque de Sormiou](/source/Calanque_de_Sormiou), [Calanque de Morgiou](/source/Calanque_de_Morgiou), [Calanque de Port-Miou](/source/Calanque_de_Port-Miou) and [Calanque de Sugiton](/source/Calanque_de_Sugiton), which is now accessible only on reservation during summer. There are additional calanques in the national park, further east along the coast, incised into [Cap Canaille](/source/Cap_Canaille). These calanques formed in different rock strata, often in layers of cemented pebble [conglomerate](/source/conglomerate_(geology)). Calanques are also present in the Italian Apennines, in locations such as the [Accona Desert](/source/Accona_Desert) and in the ''Calanchi'' natural preserve of [Atri](/source/Atri%2C_Italy).
=== Geology ===
thumb|Calanque d'En-Vau, one of the calanques located in the Calanques National Park
Modern day calanques along the Mediterranean Sea are steep-sided valleys that the [Holocene](/source/Holocene) ([Flandrian](/source/Flandrian)) marine transgression partially submerged to form cliff-edged inlets. These valleys were either incised by [river](/source/river)s or created by cave collapse as karstic dry valleys when sea level was lower than at present.[Krijgsman W., F.J. Hilgen, I. Raffi, F.J. Sierro, and D.S. Wilson, 1999, ''Chronology, causes and progression of the Messinian salinity crisis.'' Nature. v. 400, no. 6745, pp. 652-655.][Ryan W.B.F., 1976, ''Quantitative evaluation of the depth of the Western Mediterranean before during and after the Last Miocene salinity crisis.'' Sedimentology. v. 23, no. 6, pp. 791-813.] As a result, not only did [evaporite](/source/evaporite)s accumulate on the [abyssal plain](/source/abyssal_plain)s of the Mediterranean Sea, but also [river](/source/river)s flowing into it deepened their [valley](/source/valley)s by hundreds of metres. The [Rhône](/source/Rh%C3%B4ne) most notably cut a [canyon](/source/canyon) as deep as {{cvt|576|m|||}} into [Cretaceous](/source/Cretaceous) carbonate strata near its confluence with its tributary the [Ardèche](/source/Ard%C3%A8che_(river)). Fluvial erosion by smaller streams and rivers created numerous other deep, steep-sided valleys in response to the greatly lowered sea level at this time.[Mocochain, L., P. Audra, G. Clauzon, O. Bellier, J.-Y. Bigot, O. Parize, and P. Monteil, 2009, ''The effect of river dynamics induced by the Messinian Salinity Crisis on karst landscape and caves: Example of the Lower Ardèche river (mid Rhône valley)'' Geomorphology, v. 106, no. 1-2, pp. 46-61.] Also at this time, steep-walled, dry karstic valleys were formed by the collapse of caves that developed in limestone, dolomite, and other carbonate rocks in response to the greatly lowered sea level of the Mediterranean Sea.[Audra, P., L. Mocochain, H. Camus, E. Gilli, G. Clauzon, and J.-Y. Bigot, 2004, ''The effect of the Messinian Deep Stage on karst development around the Mediterranean Sea. Examples from Southern France.'' Geodinamica Acta. v. 17, no. 6, pp. 27–38.] Later, during the [Pleistocene](/source/Pleistocene), these valleys were further enlarged and modified by fluvial, karst, and other processes during [interglacial](/source/interglacial) drops of sea level within the {{convert|100|m|adj=on||}} range. During these periods of interglacial low sea level, additional steep-sided valleys, which were later flooded to create calanques, along the Mediterranean coastline were formed by fluvial and karst processes.[Collina-Girard, J., 1996. [http://www.speleogenesis.info/archive/publication.php?Type=publication&PubID=3265 ''Prehistory and coastal karst area: Cosquer Cave and the “Calanques” of Marseille.''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928185820/http://www.speleogenesis.info/archive/publication.php?Type=publication&PubID=3265 |date=2011-09-28 }} Karstologia. v. 27, pp. 27-40.] Today, they can be seen as deep, narrow valleys that are partly submerged by the sea and are made up of limestone or granite.[{{Cite web |url=http://www.visite-bateau-calanques-marseille-cassis.fr/data/php/getfile.php?nom=La-faune-et-la-flore-des-Calanques.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412022012/http://www.visite-bateau-calanques-marseille-cassis.fr/data/php/getfile.php?nom=La-faune-et-la-flore-des-Calanques.pdf |archive-date=2013-04-12 |url-status=dead }}] including a number of endemics like the Marseille Tragacanth and Sabline de Marseille: members of the [Papilionaceae](/source/Papilionaceae) family, which can only be found in the hills of [Marseille](/source/Marseille).[{{cite web |url=http://www.rivieratimes.com/index.php/provence-cote-dazur-article/items/wild-and-natural-beauty-in-frances-national-parks.html |title=Wild and natural beauty in France's national parks - the Riviera Times Online |accessdate=2013-04-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806064710/http://www.rivieratimes.com/index.php/provence-cote-dazur-article/items/wild-and-natural-beauty-in-frances-national-parks.html |archivedate=2012-08-06 }}]
In places where cliffs are less vertical, the vegetation is a classic Mediterranean [maquis](/source/maquis_shrubland), typically consisting of densely growing evergreen [shrub](/source/shrub)s such as [sage](/source/Salvia), [juniper](/source/juniper) and [myrtle](/source/Myrtus). It is similar to [heath](/source/heath_(habitat)) in many aspects, but with taller shrubs, typically {{cvt|2-4|m|ft|1|}} high as opposed to {{cvt|0.2-1|m|ft|1|}} for heath. Like elsewhere on the Mediterranean coast, the Calanques' climate is arid, with moisture during much of the year coming only from the evaporation of the sea. This dry habitat associated with salt spray conditions the subsistence of adapted vegetation. The Calanques shelter [rabbit](/source/rabbit)s, [fox](/source/fox)es, large [crow](/source/crow)s and [Bonelli's eagle](/source/Bonelli's_eagle)s, as well as many [reptile](/source/reptile)s and wild [boar](/source/boar)s.
== Tourism ==
The calanques between Marseille and Cassis are popular amongst tourists and locals alike, offering several vantage points (such as the [Corniche des Crêtes](/source/Corniche_des_Cr%C3%AAtes) and [Cap Canaille](/source/Cap_Canaille)) allowing spectacular [panorama](/source/panorama)s. A great number of hikers frequent the area, following numerous pre-marked trails. The cliffs are also used as training spots for [rock climber](/source/rock_climber)s. However, this excessive use has posed problems of potential damage to this delicate microhabitat.
Most of the calanques are also closed to the public during the summer (typically July through September) due to the risks of forest fire that often happen during the dry season. The best time to visit calanques is probably March through May, when temperatures are cool and, unlike autumn and winter, rain is rare. As no fresh water sources are available in the calanques, visitors are advised to carry large supplies of water, especially during the summer heat, to prevent [dehydration](/source/dehydration). Boat tours are also available starting either from [Marseille](/source/Marseille), [Cassis](/source/Cassis) or [La Ciotat](/source/La_Ciotat), which can provide for some spectacular sightseeing.
In April 2012, most of the calanques were declared a national park due to their uniqueness.[{{cite web|url=http://www.marseille-provence.info/places/sights-and-attractions/340-the-calanques-of-cassis.html|title=The Calanques Near Cassis|year=2012|accessdate=2012-10-10|archive-date=February 18, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218042107/http://www.marseille-provence.info/places/sights-and-attractions/340-the-calanques-of-cassis.html}}]
==Cosquer Cave==
{{main article|Cosquer Cave}}
The [Cosquer Cave](/source/Cosquer_Cave) is an underwater [grotto](/source/grotto) in the [Calanque de Morgiou](/source/Calanque_de_Morgiou), {{cvt|37|m|ft||}} underwater, that was once inhabited during the [Paleolithic](/source/Paleolithic) when the sea level was much lower than today. Its walls are covered with paintings and engravings dating back to between 27,000 and 19,000 [BC](/source/Anno_Domini) and depict many terrestrial animals such as [bison](/source/bison), [ibex](/source/ibex), and [horse](/source/horse)s as well as sea animals like [seals](/source/pinniped) and [auk](/source/auk)s.[Collina-Girard, J., 2004, [https://univ-provence.academia.edu/JacquesCollinaGirard/Papers/200288/La_transgression_finiglaciaire_larcheologie_et_les_textes_exemples_de_la_grotte_Cosquer_et_du_mythe_de_lAtlantide_ ''La transgression finiglaciaire, l’archéologie et les textes'' (exemples de la grotte Cosquer et du mythe de l’Atlantide)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326195757/http://univ-provence.academia.edu/JacquesCollinaGirard/Papers/200288/La_transgression_finiglaciaire_larcheologie_et_les_textes_exemples_de_la_grotte_Cosquer_et_du_mythe_de_lAtlantide_# |date=2012-03-26 }} Human records of recent geological evolution in the Mediterranean Basin-historical and archaeological evidence. [CIESM](/source/CIESM) Workshop Monographs. no. 24, page 63-70.]
==See also==
*{{annotated link|Badlands}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons|Calanques|Calanques}}
* Cassis Tourist Office's web site : [https://www.ot-cassis.com/en/calanques.html Calanques de cassis]
* [https://maps.google.com/?ll=43.218187,5.442009&spn=0.119094,0.232086&t=k&om=1&z=13&lci=com.panoramio.all Calanques photo at maps.google.com]
{{Massif des Calanques}}
Category:Landforms of the Mediterranean Sea
Category:Karst
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Calanque](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calanque) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calanque?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.