Geopark: The storm surge marks on Avernakø

The storm surge in November 1872 caused great damage throughout the South Funen Archipelago. Countless ships were wrecked, many livestock and a few people drowned. To commemorate the violent event, several places on Langeland, Ærø and the smaller islands have stones or plaques commemorating the event, usually marking the height of the water.

On Avernakø, the low-lying parts of the island were flooded and the violent waves caused large slides of the coastal cliffs. The ruins of a chapel on the eastern part of the island disappeared completely.

Two river markers mark how high the water was during the storm surge on Avernakø and are shaped like milestones: One stands by the road between the harbor and Avernak town. The other is by the road between Munke town and Drejet.