Crystal Clear And Icy Cold
A follow up to my previous upload ...
Here is one of the few places on this planet that you can actually step on the earth's mantle. Over five hundred million years ago, huge sections of that mantle were pushed up during a plate tectonic collision. After another couple of hundred million years have passed, the surface material has been eroded away and now you're left with this amazing landscape. It looks like it doesn't belong here in this province. It looks like a desert ... like something you'd see in the southwest of the United States. Seeing it for the first time as a very young person ... years ago .. having been brought up on a diet of western movies, it was awe inspiring. Like I had actually been transported to a place which, before that, had existed only in a darkened movie theatre!
This brown rock is peridotite. It is very low in calcium, high in magnesium and, as a result, lacks the usual nutrients that most plants require to sustain life. So, this accounts for the very barren appearance. Peridotite is also high in iron, so the reason for this brown coloration is actually rust. Underneath this brown surface, the rock is actually a dark green colour and, in numerous places as you enter this amazing valley, you can see it.
If you visit Newfoundland, you must truly visit this unique place. There is an excellent trail ... about 2 kilometers ... leading from a paved parking lot. Part of that trail is a boardwalk, as you can see here. Just beyond the end of this boardwalk here, there is a place to sit and rest. If you want to go beyond that, though, and hike further into the bowl ... as we did yesterday ... you have to be prepared for a slightly more arduous and somewhat dangerous hike.
Newfoundland is a beautiful, unique place. The west coast of the province, even more so. Come visit us. You won't be disappointed!
This was taken near the sitting area at the end of the boardwalk section of the trail. To hike farther, you have to be prepared to find your own trail ... and be careful!
This was taken just a little farther along the trail than the last shot ... looking directly up into the bowl.
If you have time, please View On Black or check out one of the larger versions.
Crystal Clear And Icy Cold
A follow up to my previous upload ...
Here is one of the few places on this planet that you can actually step on the earth's mantle. Over five hundred million years ago, huge sections of that mantle were pushed up during a plate tectonic collision. After another couple of hundred million years have passed, the surface material has been eroded away and now you're left with this amazing landscape. It looks like it doesn't belong here in this province. It looks like a desert ... like something you'd see in the southwest of the United States. Seeing it for the first time as a very young person ... years ago .. having been brought up on a diet of western movies, it was awe inspiring. Like I had actually been transported to a place which, before that, had existed only in a darkened movie theatre!
This brown rock is peridotite. It is very low in calcium, high in magnesium and, as a result, lacks the usual nutrients that most plants require to sustain life. So, this accounts for the very barren appearance. Peridotite is also high in iron, so the reason for this brown coloration is actually rust. Underneath this brown surface, the rock is actually a dark green colour and, in numerous places as you enter this amazing valley, you can see it.
If you visit Newfoundland, you must truly visit this unique place. There is an excellent trail ... about 2 kilometers ... leading from a paved parking lot. Part of that trail is a boardwalk, as you can see here. Just beyond the end of this boardwalk here, there is a place to sit and rest. If you want to go beyond that, though, and hike further into the bowl ... as we did yesterday ... you have to be prepared for a slightly more arduous and somewhat dangerous hike.
Newfoundland is a beautiful, unique place. The west coast of the province, even more so. Come visit us. You won't be disappointed!
This was taken near the sitting area at the end of the boardwalk section of the trail. To hike farther, you have to be prepared to find your own trail ... and be careful!
This was taken just a little farther along the trail than the last shot ... looking directly up into the bowl.
If you have time, please View On Black or check out one of the larger versions.