This is a new section that was created by the construction of the new Walmart in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

The strata are part of the Pennsylvanian Cumberland Group (Stellarton Formation) in the Stellarton Basin, Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Located behind the Highland Mall in New Glasgow, the outcrop is approximately 500 metres south of the Cobequid Fault, which forms the northern margin of the basin. The section comprises interbedded oilshale, mudrock and sandstone, which are interpreted as freshwater open-lacustrine and lacustrine delta deposits.

The Stellarton Basin is interpreted as a transtensional basin, occupying a pull-apart structure developed at a releasing bend on the Cobequid-Hollow fault system. Late-stage shortening which resulted in a positive flower structure along the northwest basin margin, is probably responsible for the folding.

RIGHT CLICK IMAGE DETAILED PDF


RIGHT CLICK IMAGE DETAILED IMAGE

Outcrop Description and Local Geology
supplied by John Waldron, University of Alberta

One of the Greatest Treasures
The Geology & History of Coal in Nova Scotia

Travel log of Nova Scotian Coal Basins.
Many thanks to Don Chesnut for his permission to link to this site.

1. How did the Stellarton Formation form?

2. What is the origin of the name Stellarton?
According to one of the publications.

3. What feature marks the northern extent of the basin?

4. How many million years ago was the basin formed?

All of the answers are in the attached links on this page. I hope you take the opportunity to read about the area and coal mining in Nova Scotia.

While at the outcrop you will need to measure the strike and dip of the bedforms that are behind the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resourses Cherokee(the light coloured sediments between the power pole and the support wires) which are shown on the left side of the panorama photo.

The first thing that you must do to your compass is to set the magnetic declination for the area that you are working in. This declination changes around the world because the earth’s magnetic field is not constant. The declination for the area you are working in will be marked on the topographic sheet for your work area. That number is for the year the map was created and there is a correction that can be applied to that declination. See the instructions for setting declination in the owner manual for your brand of compass.

The declination for the area is ~20^oW.

Most of the compasses that you own will not have a clinometer on them. If it does use it to measure the dip. If it does not a protractor can be used.
Strike and Dip Primer

Most smartphones have an app, that will measure inclines. On the iPhone, it is called, "Measure". Open the app and select the level tab. this will turn your phone into a level and you can measure the dip of an outcrop.

Measure the strike and dip of two or three of the surfaces and send those answers along with the photo.

The strike and dip exercise is part of the requirements. You must complete this part of the exercise to log. Come with the needed equipment or give this cache a miss.

Your log will be removed if you do not complete the requirements listed above.

The Walmart parking lot is technically private property. Use it at your own risk. While I say the cache is available 24/7, daylight is required to get the full benefit of the view. I do not encourage climbing on the outcrop. It could be dangerous to both the outcrop and the climber. I worry more about the outcrop.

Feel free to post closeup pictures of the structures that you view BUT no answers in the logs. Make sure you have a scale in your photos and describe what the photo is of(rock type, structure, colour, size, etc.).

WARNING: Side effects of looking for this cache could lead to a healthy demeanor, a keening of the eye, a sharpening of the wit and may lighten the burdens you carry around with you.