What is Geomorphology?
Geomorphology is a scientific study of landforms and the various processes that shape them all over the Earth. Scientists become geomorphologists because they seek to understand why landforms look the way they do and how it affects human civilization development. In Metro Vancouver, as well as Greater Victoria and Howe Sound, there have been many scientists who have become geomorphologists because of this being an incredibly diverse region. It is a region that has an incredible array of types of land formations that can be found here and the impact of the various processes have to the topography of the land. This location (aka Sea to Sky Corridor) has an excellent vantage point that will give you a great overview look of the various land formations when it comes to highlighting the various geomorphological processes that have helped to shape this region over a span of hundreds of thousands of years, if not a couple million years.
A landform, or land formation, is any natural feature, which can be found on the earth's surface such as a delta, mountain or river. The shape of the Earth’s surface, and how Human’s live on Earth, is defined by the various different types of land formations and the processes that go into the creation of those formations. The incredible variety of land formations that are found throughout the Metro Vancouver and the Howe Sound Region have most certainly shaped how the 2.5+ million people who call this region home. It is also one, though not the only reason, as to why the cost of living is becoming more and more expensive.
The surface of Earth is constantly being altered, changed and even destroyed by a combination of surface processes that sculpt landscapes such as water, wind, and fire. Geological processes include the uplifting of mountain chains and the growth of volcanoes as the result of Plate Tectonics. The Earth surface and its topography therefore are an intersection of atmospheric, biological, climatic, geological hydraulic (water movement) action with geologic processes that shape the topography of the land.
Another factor that cannot be ignored when it comes to the geomorphic process and it is the human alteration of the landscape. Humans change the landscape to make it “fit better” with their needs. As a result of this many of these factors are strongly connected to the on going debate with climate change.
There are SEVEN main types of geomorphology processes that can be found in the province of British Columbia. However, for this earthcache you will be focusing on ONE type of a geomorphology process and that is the Glacial Process.
What is the Glacial Process?
Vancouver is a city that has been shaped by an incredible amount of Glacier movement. In fact just under 14,000 years ago most of the land that the city of Metro Vancouver is now built on did not even exist. The gradual movement of the glacier ice down a valley causes abrasion and plucking of the underlying rock for an incredibly long period of time. Abrasion produces fine sediment, which is called glacial flour afterwards. The debris transported down by the glacier, and also when the glacier recedes, is then called a moraine. All of which you can see with your bare eyes at any of the stages in this Earthcache.
Until about 10,000 years ago virtually all of British Columbia was covered by the Cordilleran Ice Sheet. The Cordilleran Ice Sheet was not the largest ice sheet that covered North America as that was the Laurentide Ice Sheet but it wasn’t the smallest either as the sheet was at least 2kms thick. It started somewhere around 2.6 million years ago and this Ice Sheet has had an incredible impact on the topography of the land today. Some of the land formations which are the result of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet that can be seen by the naked eye are: U-Shape Valleys, V-Shape Valleys, Aretes, Crevasses, Cracks, Hanging Valleys, Deltas, Mountains, Kettle Lakes, Rift Valleys, Outwash Fans, Cirques etc.
Environments that were recently glaciated, but are no longer, may still show an elevated landscape and a vast array of different types of land formations that are directly resulted from the glacial process. An example of this would be Howe Sound which is one of the many reasons as to why this Earthcache Field Trip Project has been set up here.
How to Get Credit for this Earthcache
To get credit for this earthcache please email me the following answers for stages #1 - 5. Stage #6 can be in your log for this earthcache. If there is a problem with your log and or answers I will email you otherwise once you feel you have answered all of the questions then you can log your find.
Stage #1 A Birds Eye View (the chief viewing platform)
-
Please name at least TWO visual landmarks that were formed by the glacial process that you see from the platform. There are a couple of ways you can complete this requirement. One option is you include a photo that has the landmarks indicated on it. OR you describe to me with words in the email what you are seeing as taking a picture is now purely optional.
-
Look straight down to the delta below you can you see the sediment plume in the water? Do you believe this is seen because of the glacial process? Explain.
-
Where the town of Squamish is now built do you believe or not that since it was built on a delta that the land existed during the last Ice Age or was only formed when the Ice Shelf retreated. Why?
-
How many "bumps" do you see on the Stawamus Chief?
-
Which direction do you believe the Cordilleran Ice Sheet went and when it was retreating? (N,W,E,S) Why?
-
OPTIONAL: Take a picture of the spectacular view from this platform
Stage #2 Sky Pilot & Co-Pilot Mountains (the look back view point)
-
From GZ look up to the mountains of Sky Pilot and Co-Pilot. Please hypothesize where where the ice sheet “topped out.” In other words where did the ice sheet stop? Why?
-
On the day of your visit where was the snow line in relation to the GZ viewing spot and the two mountains?
-
Please indicate other glacier land formations that you can see on the mountains today (and tell me as it was described in stage #1).
-
OPTIONAL: Take a picture of the three mountains (Sky-Pilot, Co-Pilot & the Saddle)
Stage #3 A Story of the Wetlands
-
According to the signs how was this depression formed in relation to the glacier retreating?
-
One one of the three information boards what is the scientific name of the plant that is growing here now ONLY because of the retreating glacier?
-
Scan the QR Code - what do you find? Do you see any connection between what you find and the glacial process that has shaped Howe Sound?
-
What is the geological name as it relates to the glacial process of the several “mini” lakes that are along the trail?
Stage #4 Klettergarden Climbing Area
-
From GZ how many cracks in the rock face do you see? Do you believe these cracks are present and the dominate feature at this site?
-
What is the height of the rock face in relation to where you are standing at GZ?
-
Why are there small shrubs growing in the cracks and not anywhere else on the rock?
-
Why is there a rock over hang?
Stage #5 Al Halbrich Trail
-
Please describe and explain why there is a small stream at this location. Do you believe this is the result of the glacial process why or why not?
-
What is the name of the nearby trail signpost?
-
What is the human made physical impact at this location? Would you describe this impact is uniquely human made or would you associate it with the receding glacier. Why or why not?
Stage #6 Summit Lodge Viewing Platform
On the cache page please talk and summarize what have you learned from this field trip project in a few sentences?
Technical Help:
Most of the Sea to Sky Highway is covered by WiFi and even data service. However, I found the WiFi signal up at the top of the gondola to be extremely weak and there was no data service for most of the day. When you are preparing and answering the questions for this Earthcache a couple really handy apps, which are free and can be downloaded to any mobile device are:
-
Google Maps OR iMaps
-
The Weather Network
-
Sea to Sky Gondola App
-
A QR Code Reader Scanner
Important Note:
Reaching the top of Sea to Sky Summit Lodge can be done by either two ways. The first way is to pay for the gondola ride OR you can hike up the Sea to Summit Trail. Also it is free to park your car in the day-use car parking lot and it is free to hike the park for the day. However, it should be noted that the trail up to the Summit Lodge will require about 3hrs as you go through some incredibly difficult terrain and the trail gets even more difficult if you go to Wrinkle Rock. Additionally dogs are allowed in the park but are only allowed to download on the gondola.
Credits & References:
“Geology of British Columbia: a journey through time” Stanley Cannings
“Vancouver, City on the Edge” 3rd Edition John Clague
Sea to Sky Gondola: http://www.seatoskygondola.com
British Columbia Ministry of Environment: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/dsq/
I would also like to give a very special thank you to Adroit Seeker, Roman!, Rain Willowsnap and Vadrosaul for their help and advice in setting up this Earthcache.