The Silurian Sea floor, also known as “the abandoned parking lot”, was formed approximately 420 million when a vast sea covered most of North America. (Photo by Michele Good)A 420 Million Year Old Sand Burp!These vertical cracks in the dolomite rock will eventually expand due to various events (most likely the frost and thaw cycle) and cause the huge slabs of rock to fall to the forest floor. As the rock falls away, the escarpment “retreats” back toward Niagara Falls.This wall was most likely built in the early 1900s as part of a farm is made from local rock (dolomite) and glacial boulders. The glacial boulders are the ones that look unusually smooth. The dolomite rocks have rough edges and a pitted texture. (Photo by Michele Good)The edge of the cliff where I was standing when I nearly fell off. Full disclosure: I was standing with my back to the edge of the cliff, trying to block the wind from hitting the microphone as Marcia was speaking. A gust of wind picked up and I went to adjust my position and suddenly realized that there was nothing under my foot. It’s about a 200 foot drop. (Photo by Michele Good)You have to descend these uneven, moss-covered stairs to get into the crack. But it’s well worth the risk. (Photo by Michele Good)Here you can see a vertical crack that has fully pulled away from the escarpment and is slowly tilting toward the forest floor. The various layers in the rock were laid down at a rate of approximately 1/16″ per year, and the formation to the right is about 100-150 ft tall. You can do the math as to how old it is. 😉 (Photo by Michele Good)In order to gather some of the amazing sounds in the natural amphitheater, I set the microphone on the edge of the cliff and just let nature do the talking. (Photo by Michele Good)
