ROCHE PERCÉE EarthCache
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an earthcache at a famous Saskatchewan landmark
Situated 17 km SE of Estevan, Saskatchewan is the historical site of Roche Percée or "Pierced Rock". This sandstone outcropping has been sculptured by wind and water into an amazing formation. It was a special location for the First Nations Assiniboine peoples who left petrogylphs carved on its surface. In spring and fall, they performed religious ceremonies at the site. Erosion and vandalism have erased many of the original petroglyphs, although an 1886 inscription is still visible on its southern face.
Geologically, Roche Percée is part of the Ravenscrag Formation deposited during the Paleocene Epoch (60-55 million years ago) of the Tertiary Period. It was a time when Saskatchewan had a moist, subtropical climate with ginkgo lowland forests and cypress swamps. These plants later formed the lignite coal seams that attracted Europeans. The sandstone formation is believed to have been loose sand on the bed of a river that flowed through the swamps. The fine grained sediments of the Ravenscrag Formation contain many multituberculate, marsupial, and late Paleocene mammalian fossils. The fine sand was covered by the coarser gravel deposits of the post Paleocene Tertiary Period and the unconsolidated glacial drift of the Pleistocene continental glaciers. Near the end of the last or Wisconsinian glacial period, glacial Lake Regina was formed. The rapid drainage of glacial Lake Regina carved the Souris River Valley (a glacial lake spillway) and exposed the Ravenscrag sandstone on both sides of the river valley. Erosion by wind and water created the famous rock.
The lignite coal deposits attracted European explorers to the area. The presence of coal was reported by a U.S. government survey party in 1853; Dr. J. Hector of the Palliser Expedition in 1857; the British North American Boundary Commission in 1873; the North West Mounted Police on their Trek West in 1874; and Dr. Dawson, a surveyor, in 1879. Reports and sketches of the petroglyphs were made and are our best records of the original petroglyphs today. Individuals from these expeditions have left their own inscriptions on sandstone rocks in the area that are still visible today
The community of Roche Percée had its beginnings in the coal industry. An 1880 plan to barge coal down the Souris and Assiniboia Rivers to Winnipeg was thwarted by low river volumes. The first viable coal mine was started in 1891. The coming of the CPR Railway in 1893 resulted in many coal mines. In the 1930's strip mining started. Underground mining ended in 1956. Today, two companies mine more than 12 million tonnes of lignite coal by dragline operations.
Roche Percée has always been a major attraction in the area. In 1922 the distinctive shape of the rock was altered by a lightning strike and blasting to protect visitors. Vandalism and erosion of the soft sandstone have altered the features of the outcropping.
When visiting Roche Percée, please remember that it is a provincial historical site. Enjoy BUT DO NOT DAMAGE, REMOVE OR DEFACE any rock surfaces. Also, be aware of the UNSTABLE ROCK surfaces while exploring the famous rock and the arches and caves of the area.
Logging Requirements: Send me an email with:
(1) the text with the GC number and the name of the earthcache on the first line
(2) Explain what characteristics of the rock have contributed to the unusual nature of the rock outcropping.
(3) Explain why the historical name of "Pierced Rock" is still relevant today.
(4) Stand with your back to the historical marker. In your view is a ranch gatepost. Describe the gatepost and its decorations.
If you wish, post a picture of yourself and your GPS at the historical marker; BUT DO NOT post any pictures that will give away the answers to the above questions or they will be deleted. Incomplete or incorrect answers will cause your log to be deleted.
Enjoy Roche Percée!!
REFERENCES:
Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan, Roche Percee, www.rochepercee.com/esask.uregina.ca/entry/roche_percee.html
A. Gordon, 1979, Geology of Saskatchewan: a Historical Approach; Government of Saskatchewan
Storer,J.,1989, Geological History of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Museum of Natural History
www.rochepercee.com Roche Percee History and Genealogy Page gent-family.com/Roche Percee/rochepercee.html
www.rochepercee,com History of Roche Percee-cap.estevan,sk.ca/rph/rptext.html
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