Archbald in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Geology of the Pothole

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 2, 2018

1. The Geology of the Pothole Marker

Inscription.

"It is a fine case of a well-known phenomenon called a glacial pothole."
Geologist J.C. Branner, 1884

Formation
About 20,000 years ago, a powerful, whirling mixture of frigid glacial water, sand and stones wore away solid rock, forming this pothole.

Many Theories
At the pothole's discovery, geologists proposed that it was carved by a waterfall falling through a crevasse (crack) in the glacier. Many modern geologists still support this original theory.

A recent addition to this hypothesis places a lake on top of the glacier as a long-term water supply for the waterfall.
Other geologists propose that there was no waterfall. They argue that a large, fast-moving stream under the glacier supplied the swirling water that created the pothole.

Melted ice carrying abrasive sand and stones created this glacial pothole.

Comparisons confirm that this is a world-class glacial pothole. From bottom to top it measures 38 feet. At one place it is 42 by 24 feet in diameter.

Erected by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 41° 30.712′ N,

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75° 34.441′ W. Marker is in Archbald, Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. It can be reached from Scranton Carbondale Highway. Marker kiosk is near the pothole in Archbald Pothole State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 861 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Archbald PA 18403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Wyoming Valley

and in Greater Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Discovery of the Pothole (here, next to this marker); Lackawanna Heritage Valley (here, next to this marker); SPC. Nicholas Staback (approx. one mile away); Harry Sugerman (approx. one mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 2, 2018

2. The Geology of the Pothole Marker

On other side of kiosk, next to the observation platform

1.1 miles away); Dominick Paparelli (approx. 1.1 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named War Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Archbald.

Also see . . . History of Archbald State Park. (Submitted on April 3, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Pothole and Observation Platform image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.

3. Pothole and Observation Platform

Archbald Pothole image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.

4. Archbald Pothole

Archbald Pothole State Park Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.

5. Archbald Pothole State Park Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 416 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 3, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.