Story perspectives

Study Dates Twelve Apostles to 14-8.6 Myr, Leaves Seven Stacks

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers published a study in the Australian Journal of Earth Sciences on formation and age of Victoria’s Twelve Apostles.
One stack contains roughly 760 trillion foraminifera fossils, allowing the limestone layers to be read like tree rings.
The limestone formed in shallow seas between 14 million and 8.6 million years ago and was lifted by tectonic compression around 8.6 million years ago.
Ongoing wave erosion has removed two stacks, leaving seven standing today.

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Story summary

Researchers published a study in the Australian Journal of Earth Sciences on formation and age of Victoria’s Twelve Apostles.
One stack contains roughly 760 trillion foraminifera fossils, allowing the limestone layers to be read like tree rings.
The limestone formed in shallow seas between 14 million and 8.6 million years ago and was lifted by tectonic compression around 8.6 million years ago.
Ongoing wave erosion has removed two stacks, leaving seven standing today.