Post by 150FromFundy on Oct 12, 2011 19:06:11 GMT -5
The ecology of the western coastline of Newfoundland is known as a limestone barren and contains a number of geologically relevant features. Another attraction is the Limestone Pavement at Hawkes Bay. In this area the exposed bedrock that forms the beach actually looks like it has been paved. This forms a natural boat launch for the fisherman. The old wharf in the background was used by the Newfoundland Zinc Mine which closed in 1990.
Photo 1 – Limestone pavement at Hawkes Bay
The limestone that forms the pavement is Cambrian (480 to 540 million years old) and contains little spheres of fossilized algae. I grabbed a few samples, but I don’t think there will be any polish potential. More of a curiosity for the fossil shelf.
Photo 2 – Fossilized algae
Photo 3 – Fossilized algae
What make this limestone significant are its large expanse and polish and the fact that it exhibits glacial striations in three directions. Glacial striations are scratches in the bedrock caused when ice sheets drag rocks across the bedrock surface in the direction of the glaciers movement. Striations in three directions have been found on this limestone pavement indicating numerous advances and retreats of the ice sheets. The next photo shows two significant striations in the foreground running from lower left to upper right between the natural fractures in the bedrock.
Photo 4 – Glacial Striations
We were hoping for a postcard sunset across the bay, but the skies are overcast.
Photo 5 – Overcast Skies
Although we didn’t get our blast of colour as the sun set, we did get a nice subtle pastel sky.
Photo 6 – Patel Sky
Photo 1 – Limestone pavement at Hawkes Bay
The limestone that forms the pavement is Cambrian (480 to 540 million years old) and contains little spheres of fossilized algae. I grabbed a few samples, but I don’t think there will be any polish potential. More of a curiosity for the fossil shelf.
Photo 2 – Fossilized algae
Photo 3 – Fossilized algae
What make this limestone significant are its large expanse and polish and the fact that it exhibits glacial striations in three directions. Glacial striations are scratches in the bedrock caused when ice sheets drag rocks across the bedrock surface in the direction of the glaciers movement. Striations in three directions have been found on this limestone pavement indicating numerous advances and retreats of the ice sheets. The next photo shows two significant striations in the foreground running from lower left to upper right between the natural fractures in the bedrock.
Photo 4 – Glacial Striations
We were hoping for a postcard sunset across the bay, but the skies are overcast.
Photo 5 – Overcast Skies
Although we didn’t get our blast of colour as the sun set, we did get a nice subtle pastel sky.
Photo 6 – Patel Sky
