Tree With Spidery Roots

While roaming the Google Street Views of Madagascar I came across this tree with roots like a spider's legs. The left branch of the root has extended horizontally and some exposed roots can also been seen there. From a close up view these do not look like artificial supports. These also do not look like aerial roots as other similar trees (Image #4) nearby have no such roots.

I feel that this tree grew on a small mound or heap and the soil below the trunk gradually eroded leaving the roots exposed.

It may be common phenomenon on sandy soils near the sea but I have come across such a root for the first time, hence this post. Comments/suggestions are welcome.

Source of images: Google Street View

Nearby trees;

Image Source: Google Street View

Aug 25, 2021 17:35:48 GMT CuriousJM said:

...I feel that this tree grew on a small mound or heap and the soil below the trunk gradually eroded leaving the roots exposed.

...

Based on Sea Surface Height Anomaly Data around these shores of Madagascar, average sea level was on a maximum value in 2013 (and before). If you check the following years you can see that slowly it keeps tending in negative range.

I can imagine such a long term process that higher tide levels of the years before 2014 (streetview date) has washed away the shore and the lower high-tides of the forthcoming years did not reach this line that could have deploy sediment again, ending wind erosion has done the rest.

...mere guesswork by me...!


Nice spotting!

syzygy. You could be right. 

Subsequent to my post I Googled for roots exposures due to exposure and the result showed many images, few of which were with spidery legs. 

You can see the result at this link.

One of those I already have posted here. (with no georeference given) 

It brings you to a photo collection of 10 though trees, some of which sure could be looked up on GE.

Aug 30, 2021 18:08:45 GMT syzygy said:

One of those I already have posted here. (with no georeference given) 

It brings you to a photo collection of 10 though trees, some of which sure could be looked up on GE.

A good collection. I was aware of at least the tree in Olympic National Park, Washington. I will try if I can find this and others in GM/GSV.