Welcome To Albion Falls!
There are two Things to see here! there is some dolomite at the top and Irondequoit Limestone at the bottom There Is A Platform that seperates the Two, you will notice about half way down the falls that there is a platform, its where the escarpment layers change between the Dolomite on top and the irondequoit limestone.
What Is Dolomite?
Dolomite (also known as dolostone, dolomite rock or dolomitic rock) is a sedimentary carbonate rock that contains a high percentage of the mineral dolomite. In the olden days, it was referred to as magnesian limestone, a term now reserved for magnesium-deficient dolomites or magnesium-rich limestones. Dolomite has a stoichiometric ratio of nearly equal amounts of magnesium and calcium. Most dolomites formed as a magnesium replacement of limestone or lime mud before lithification. Dolomite is resistant to erosion and can either contain bedded layers or be unbedded. It is less soluble than limestone in weakly acidic groundwater, but it can still develop solution features over time. Dolomite can act as an oil and natural gas reservoir.
What Is Irondequoit Limestone
Named Irondequoit limestone member of the Clinton formation for town just north of Rochester, NY. Consists of layers of limestone separated by bands of shale. The shale bands in the lower part are green and in upper part are gray. It is considered the top member of the Clinton formation in Rochester and Ontario Beach quads. Overlies Williamson shale and underlies Rochester shale. The Irondequoit is of Silurian age.
The Clinton Group
The Clinton Group (also referred to as the Clinton Formation or the Clinton Shale) is a mapped unit of sedimentary rock found throughout eastern North America. The interval was first defined by the geologist Lardner Vanuxem, who derived the name from the village of Clinton in Oneida County, New York where several well exposed outcrops of these strata can be found. Many parts of this succession are richly fossiliferous, making the Clinton Group an important record of marine life during the early Silurian. Several economically valuable rock-types are found within this interval, though it is perhaps best known as a significant source of iron ore
Niagara Escarpment
The 725 kilometre long Niagara Escarpment began to take shape over 450 million years ago as the bed of a tropical sea. During the millions of years that followed, the sediments were compressed into rock, mainly magnesium-rich limestone (dolostone) and shale. The progressive action of glaciers, water flows and the elements caused the more resilient dolostone to weather at different rates than the shale, resulting in the very dramatic land forms that we see today: sea stacks, karst formation caves, deep valleys, scenic waterfalls, rugged hills, and perhaps most remarkable, the spectacular cliffs along the Niagara Escarpment itself.
Logging Tasks:
1. Go to the posted coords and see the falls Estimate The Height Above And Below The Platform Between Lockport Dolostone And The Irondequoit Limestone
2. Estimate The Height Of The Gorge
3. Do You Notice Any Erosion On The Falls?
3B. Take A Picture Of You (or your gps) at the posted coords with the falls
4. Go to Lovers Leap, View The Falls, Estimate The Height From The Posted Coords To The Bottom Of The Valley
5. Do The Falls Look Like Steps Down?
6. View The Escarpment Around The Falls, Is The Rocks In Layers?
7. Look At The Bottom Of The Falls, Are There Any Signs Of Rocks Falling Off The Escarpment And Into The Gorge
7B. Take A Photo Of You Or Your GPS At Lovers Leap
8. Go To "Top Of The Falls" Do you notice a difference in the waterspeed above the falls and below?
9. On a scale of Stagnent - Fast how fast is the water moving
10. Estimate The Width Of The River.
10B. Take A Picture With You (Or Your Gps) At The Top Of The Falls