Post by 150FromFundy on Aug 5, 2010 20:00:18 GMT -5
Burncoat Head, Nova Scotia (1857) holds the Guiness Workd Book of Records (1975) recognition for having the world’s highest tides. The average tide is 55.8 feet vertical. For anyone who remebers the Saxby Gail (1869), the tide was 70.9 feet vertical with the addition of the storm surge.
Burncoat Head is also significant geologically, if you are of the belief that dinosaurs evolved from fish/amphibians that dragged there ass from the water and started sucking air. All kidding aside, this is a significant area for fossils from the middle to late Triassic period 200 to 250 millions years ago, so it is protected.
1) Burncoat Light – Every safe harbour needs a light for navigation. Here is one of the few lighthouses that actually resembles a house.
2) Stairs to Beach – Unlike many Bay of Fundy locations, this one has easy access. This staircase lies between the bedrock of the Wolfeville formation composed of red sandstone and conglomerate. Ready to take a walk back in time on the ocean floor?
3) Dry Island – One of the first features you notice is the dry island. Well, it’s dry now … but just wait 6 hours. Remember that 55.8’ average tide thing.
4) Burncoat Head
5) Burncoat Head
6) Burncoat Head – There are two fossil hunters in this photo to help you appreciate the scale which often gets lost in my photos. If they don’y jump right out at you, check the left margin halfway down.
7) Potholes – Potholes are a common feature in the soft sandstone. They form when a persistent eddy in the current spins sand/gravel round and round and gradually drills into the bedrock.
8) Pothole - We like to tell unfamiliar tourists that the potholes are made by rock gophers that only come out during low tides illuminated by the full moon. You know, rock gophers ... a close relative of the tidal bore. Sorry!
9) Sea Caves – Sea caves are asso a common feature in the soft sandstone. The pounding tide carrying a bedload of gravel/cobbles cuts into the cliff face. Erosion rates are measured in yards/year in this area. As beautiful as it is, oceanfront property is not a wise investment.
10) Sea Caves
11) And the green rock was this big. Couldn’t get it into my knapsack.
12) Time to go. The sky has turned grey and the ocean will soon reclaim its beaches. Hope you enjoyed the walk.
Burncoat Head is also significant geologically, if you are of the belief that dinosaurs evolved from fish/amphibians that dragged there ass from the water and started sucking air. All kidding aside, this is a significant area for fossils from the middle to late Triassic period 200 to 250 millions years ago, so it is protected.
1) Burncoat Light – Every safe harbour needs a light for navigation. Here is one of the few lighthouses that actually resembles a house.
2) Stairs to Beach – Unlike many Bay of Fundy locations, this one has easy access. This staircase lies between the bedrock of the Wolfeville formation composed of red sandstone and conglomerate. Ready to take a walk back in time on the ocean floor?
3) Dry Island – One of the first features you notice is the dry island. Well, it’s dry now … but just wait 6 hours. Remember that 55.8’ average tide thing.
4) Burncoat Head
5) Burncoat Head
6) Burncoat Head – There are two fossil hunters in this photo to help you appreciate the scale which often gets lost in my photos. If they don’y jump right out at you, check the left margin halfway down.
7) Potholes – Potholes are a common feature in the soft sandstone. They form when a persistent eddy in the current spins sand/gravel round and round and gradually drills into the bedrock.
8) Pothole - We like to tell unfamiliar tourists that the potholes are made by rock gophers that only come out during low tides illuminated by the full moon. You know, rock gophers ... a close relative of the tidal bore. Sorry!
9) Sea Caves – Sea caves are asso a common feature in the soft sandstone. The pounding tide carrying a bedload of gravel/cobbles cuts into the cliff face. Erosion rates are measured in yards/year in this area. As beautiful as it is, oceanfront property is not a wise investment.
10) Sea Caves
11) And the green rock was this big. Couldn’t get it into my knapsack.
12) Time to go. The sky has turned grey and the ocean will soon reclaim its beaches. Hope you enjoyed the walk.