Erissel is the easternmost point of Socotra. It is a windswept low-lying area governed by the elements. During cyclones the wind and sea wreak havoc on the landscape here, reshaping everything. Only the hardiest of plants and animals thrive here.
The Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan) is well adapted to these changing conditions and in most other beaches on Socotra the sandy beaches are drowned by the sea twice a day, meaning that any structure will be flattened by the tide. The beach of Erissel reaches far away from the normal tides, and thus the crab can build these tall structures. During the calmer months these towers will still need constant maintenance as the sun and wind will make the water evaporate and the sand to lose cohesion and slowly fall to the ground.
Last updated on 19 June 2024
