‘A history of the Earth’: Twelve Apostles revealed to be as old as 14m years

Tectonic plate movements over millions of years have lifted and tilted the layers, with records of ancient earthquakes in the rocks

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Microscopic fossils embedded in limestone have helped reveal the true age of Victoria’s Twelve Apostles, as 8.6 to 14m years old.

The conclave of giant golden pillars is visited by 2.8 million tourists each year, a highlight for those travelling along the Great Ocean Road south-west of Melbourne.