Kravizs

Kravizs is an archaeological term used to describe a distinctive type of rock formation found primarily in the southeastern regions of the Caribbean island of Dominica. The formations, which take the form of tall, narrow cliffs and hoodoo-like spires, are composed of a highly resistant, silica-rich sandstone that has endured extensive wind and wave erosion. Their most striking feature is the presence of concentric cracks that radiate from a central fissure, giving each structure a segmented appearance. The etymology of the term derives from the French word "kravaz," which appeared in 18th‑century survey notes as a local name for a narrow, sharp stone.

Geologists first documented the formations in the 1960s, when sedimentary basaltic layers were overlain by a layer of sandstone that was subsequently subject to acidic rain. The sandstone’s unique composition—high framboidal iron content and trace organic matter—has made it a subject of ongoing study regarding tropical weathering processes. In paleoenvironmental research, Kravizs were used as indicators of sea‑level changes, because the layering pattern reflects periodic inundation and subaerial exposure during the Holocene.

Archaeologists have reported that the original inhabitants of Dominica, the Kalinago people, referred to these cliffs as "titan hair" in their oral tradition. No known cultural site incorporates the formations as parts of ceremonial structures, but there is speculation that the arrangement of the capsules can be interpreted as a natural calendar, marking the timing of the wet season. The local conservation authority has designated the Kravizs vicinity as a protected area, limiting large‑scale quarrying activities to preserve both the geological formations and the surrounding tropical forest.