Welcome to Felker's Falls - Layers in Motion! Please read logging requirements as set out below in order to log a find. Please send me an email with the required information, and do not post any answers in your log. Pictures are always encouraged, however, be sure that they do not give away any of the answers! This earthcache will take you to two waterfalls: Felker's Falls and Little Davis Falls.
Welcome to Felker’s Falls, located along the famous Niagara Escarpment. This EarthCache will introduce you to one of the most important geological processes shaping waterfalls in this region—differential erosion.
At this location, you will observe how layers of rock with different strengths interact with water over time, creating dramatic cliffs, overhangs, and waterfalls.
🪨 Geological Background
The rocks exposed at Felker’s Falls were formed over 400 million years ago during the Paleozoic Era, when this region was covered by a shallow tropical sea.
Over time:
- Sediments settled in layers
- These layers were compacted into rock
- Different materials formed different rock types
Key Rock Layers Here:
- Limestone (top layer)
- Hard, resistant
- Forms the caprock
- Shale (below)
- Soft, easily eroded
- Breaks down quickly when exposed to water
🧠 The Geological Lesson
🔑 Differential Erosion
Differential erosion occurs when softer rock erodes faster than harder rock.
At Felker’s Falls:
- Water erodes the soft shale at the base
- This creates an undercut behind the waterfall
- The harder limestone above becomes unsupported
- Eventually, it breaks off and falls
This process:
- Creates the overhang shape
- Forms a pile of fallen rock called talus
- Causes the waterfall to slowly move upstream over time
📍 EarthCache Stages
🪨 Stage 1: Felker’s Falls (Posted Coordinates)
Focus on the main waterfall face and rock layers.
🌊 Stage 2: “Little Davis Falls” (Downstream)
Move downstream to observe a smaller waterfall system.
Here you will see:
- Continued erosion in a narrow channel
- Breakdown of rock into smaller fragments
- Evidence of how the process continues beyond the main falls
❓ Logging Tasks
In order to log this earthcache, please email me the answers to the following questions:
To log this EarthCache, visit the site and answer the following:
🧠 Stage 1 Questions (Felker’s Falls)
- Layer Identification
Describe the two main visible rock layers. Include:
- Colour
- Texture
- Relative hardness
-
Erosion Analysis: Which rock layer is eroding faster? Explain why using evidence you can see at the site.
-
Rock Structure Interpretation: Describe the shape of the waterfall cliff.
Is it vertical, undercut, or overhanging? Explain what this shape tells you about erosion.
- Talus Evidence
Look at the base of the falls. Describe the rocks found there and explain how they formed
🌊 Stage 2 Questions (“Little Davis Falls”)
5. Channel Formation: Describe the shape of the water channel at this location?. Is it narrow, wide, straight, or winding? What does this suggest about how water erodes rock here?
6. Energy & Erosion Comparison: Compare erosion at Stage 1 vs Stage 2. Which location shows more powerful erosion, and what evidence supports your answer?
7. Sediment Observation: Describe the size and shape of rocks in the stream. What does this tell you about how far they have traveled?
8. Landscape Change Over Time: Based on your observations, explain how Felker’s Falls will likely change in the future.
9. MANDATORY - Take a photo of your GPS, or part of you with Felker's Falls in the background, AND a photo of your GPS, or part of you with Little Davis Falls in the background
Congratulations to boekmeisje on the FTF!