DIKWELLA Blow Hole - Places of Geologic Significance on Waymarking.com

DEFINITION

In geology, a blowhole is formed as sea caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in quite spectacular blasts of water from the top of the blowhole if the geometry of the cave and blowhole and state of the weather are appropriate. This is a very rare and engaging natural phenomenon.
A blowhole is also the name of a rare geologic feature in which air is either blown out or sucked into a small hole at the surface due to pressure differences between a closed underground cavern system and the surface. The blowholes of Wupatki National Monument are an example of such a phenomenon. It is estimated that the closed underground passages have a volume of at least seven billion cubic feet. Wind speeds can approach 30 miles per hour.

DIKWELLA BLOW HOLE

In this particular case, a rock set upon high tides contains a fissure. When the pressure of the collected water below grows high, a jet of water forces its way upward from within the fissure, creating what is known as a blow hole. Despite its name, the blow hole is actually found at Kudawela, 6 kilometers to the east of Dikwella. Here, secreted in a beautiful beach of golden surf and turquoise sea is found the only blow hole in the country; one of the handful found in the world. This is locally known as the "Hoo-maniya", named thus because of the sound the blow hole makes before the water spurts upward.
The blow hole is seen upon a wide expanse of rock atop a cliff. The stream of water spurts up from a fissure that runs down a split in the middle of the rock. The ominous "hoo-hoo" noise that emanates from this opening can be heard like distant thunder from some distance away. This is the sound of the water pressure rising, causing onlookers to tense in anticipation. However, the moment when the fountain erupts upward always catches them unawares. A loud whooshing sound accompanies a great sea spray shoots into the sky,reaching to a height of +/- 40 metres (120 feet) at times before forming a mushroom at its apex and drenching sight-seers around. Although this usually happens at 10-15 minute intervals, the wait is always tense, especially for a photographer waiting to capture the fountain in all its glory. Only the lucky and persevering few are rewarded in this respect. The monsoon season of June to July is considered the time when the blow hole is at its finest.

GETTING THERE

Passing the Matara town and after Dickwella, one has to turn right at Kudawella and proceed about 1.1 km. Residents in the area offer to take care of your vehicle at a nominal fee. About a 20-minute trek along newly built shallow steps brings you to the spot. Today, the popularity of the blow hole as a tourist attraction (entrance fee is 200 roupies for foreigners!!) is evidenced by the number of food and drink kiosks and vendors who cluster around the shallow stairs that lead up the cliff. The sea-food delicacies hawked here are a particular favorite among sight-seers.

REQUEST

Just send me a picture of you (or your GPS) at the location and upload it to your log.
It would be even better if you should be able to take a nice picture of you in front of the blowhole while the water spurts upwards.



Have fun and enjoy your stay at Sri Lanka.

Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes Access fee (In local currency): 200.00 Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: no Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: no Public Transport available: yes Parking Coordinates: Not Listed Website reference: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.

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