The land before time

In southern New Brunswick lies Stonehammer Geopark, which offers visitors an extraordinary glimpse of the Earth over time. Covering over 2,500 square kilometres of nature and a billion years worth of the planet’s history, Stonehammer also provides a barrage of activities to enjoy.

Insight on the Past
Mother Nature is simply beautiful. Her crevices, cracks and creeks all display her age and wisdom like wrinkles on a mature face. Over vast periods of time her beauty has grown, as forces of nature eked out sublime mountain ranges and stunning beaches.

Scientists and researchers who study the earth delve into the past and search for answers to questions no one normally asks. How and when did the marvelous lakes, caves and shorelines we love to gaze at and visit come into existence?

Stonehammer Geopark, displaying remnants of the past from every periodic time except for the Jurassic and Paleogene, is a perfect place to behold the effects of natural forces that have etched the land and water formations of the region.

It is no wonder that for almost 200 years and up to the present, Stonehammer has been a mainstay for geologists and students of geology to visit and study. The geopark’s diversity of terrain can be attributed to a slew of natural phenomena such as plate tectonics, earthquakes and glaciation.

The oldest rocks, which are a billion years old, form the central core of the geopark. Prominent in the uptown area of Saint John are rocks that are hundreds of millions of years old. The fault-bounded and rock formations that are the result of tectonic history make up much of the southern part of the province, where rocks from newer times overlap the older ones. There is evidence of the formation of Pangaea, its subsequent fragmentation, and the Atlantic Ocean opening up near the Fundy Trail Parkway. Near the eastern end of the park is the Lower Carboniferous Albert Formation, which has been described as the world’s oldest fossil forest.

The first fish remains in North America were discovered here, as well as the first Cambrian trilobites.
 

Geopark Status
With a number of primary discoveries, Stonehammer has become the first geopark in North America, designated so by the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) supported by the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This designation recognizes that the people and community behind Stonehammer are committed to providing education on the geopark’s vast geological history in a sustainable manner.

The community of New Brunswick, local and provincial governments, and volunteers endeavoured to attain the geopark status for Stonehammer. Beginning several years ago, Gail Bremner, executive director of the geopark, and other volunteers and stakeholders began making arrangements to achieve their goal.

In April 2010 Bremner and six other colleagues traveled to Malaysia to make their bid to the GGN for geopark recognition. Six months later, the GGN made it official that Stonehammer was a geopark, thrilling the local community and making their hard work worthwhile.
Bremner, who started off as a volunteer, says, “The reason I stuck with it is because it touches so many folks, young and old.”
 Stonehammer has that broad appeal; it entices every age and every type of visitor to experience firsthand the development of the planet, and offers an array of ways to learn about the Earth and explore it.
 

Touring Stonehammer  
There’s so much to see and do in Stonehammer, as it encompasses 15 geological sites and municipal and provincial parks.
Bremner shares that there are “multi levels of options” in regards to what people can do and experience. Personally she feels that in order for her to grasp the Earth’s progression throughout time she needs to see it and touch it. Bremner is eager to have visitors explore the geopark to “learn a little bit more and experience” Stonehammer. Visitors can head to the New Brunswick Museum, which Bremner refers to as the hub of the geopark, to gain more knowledge about the area’s history.

After the museum, there are certainly many outdoor adventures to be had in Stonehammer, which stretches from Lepreau Falls to Norton.

“Personally, it’s about incorporating geology into an active lifestyle,” says Bremner.

Taking this mindset and applying it to the various sites in the geopark, it’s easy to understand that knowing the history of what you’re stepping on makes nature seem all the more wondrous.

The Reversing Rapids at the mouth of the Saint John River are captivating, even more so when you recognize their cause — the ancient collision of continents that resulted in rock ridges and tidal ranges affecting the flow of the water.

At Irving Nature Park, explore the effects of the ice age and trek on volcanic rocks. The stunning sea caves and flowerpot rocks at St. Martins have formed due to the coastal erosion of sandstones. The history of the Neogene era is present in the moraines, glacial till, raised shorelines and striated bedrock found throughout the geopark. At the Hampton Lighthouse River Centre, visitors can take out a canoe or kayak, or board a boat to explore the Kennebecasis River.

At Rockwood Park, there is certainly no shortage of activities to take part in. There are over 10 freshwater lakes to dive into and swim in, as well as kayaking and paddleboats.  Hike or jog up the trails of the park, or try out geocaching and rock climbing.

For collectors of shells, Saints Rest Beach offers ample opportunity to grab some fossilized brittlestars, clams, sea urchins and snails.

While some collect items, there are those who amass their travel experiences. Stonehammer’s new platform will also entice what Bremner calls “UNESCO collectors,” people who travel to all sites distinguished by UNESCO and the GGN.

Of course, Bremner also wants to tap into geo-tourism. She understands that people are taking precautions and adopting ways to be better to the environment as people become aware of the damage they are doing to the Earth.

While the geopark labelling will give Stonehammer a tourism boost, Bremner notes that the cruise industry there has already been growing at an exponential rate and many people travelling out of New York have flocked to Stonehammer to visit.

But she hopes the recognition and attention will make people around the world realize what she, other volunteers and the community have already known for years — Stonehammer has as much to offer in recreation as well as in education.•

Photo courtesy Stonehammer Geopark