Picture of the day - August 1, 2007

A rocky beach on Oahu

Photo courtesy of Thad Zajdowicz. When most people think of Hawaii, images of spectacular white sandy beaches immediately come to mind...and you'll certainly find plenty of them waiting for you when you get there. But this iconic tropical paradise has a lot more to offer her visitors than just a bunch of sand to play on! The Hawaiian islands were created by volcanic eruptions, a series of processes that brought lava and several types of molten minerals to the surface of the planet. This lava and the various minerals then cooled and hardened to create the gigantic mountains upon which the islands sit today. As a result, Hawaii's coastlines aren't uniform as one might expect - they vary greatly in color, shape and form due to the varied mineral compositions and the different geologic processes that shaped them over the eons. Among the various landscapes you'll find along Hawaii's seacoasts is this gorgeous rocky shoreline located on the windward side of Oahu. Captured in all its glory by photographer Thad Zajdowicz, this amazing scene offers just a small taste of the beauty and tranquility that awaits you on your next Hawaiian vacation!   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!            Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"