Near Castile in Wyoming County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pages of Geologic Time
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
1. Pages of Geologic Time Marker
The sedimentary rocks of the canyon walls are believed to be the remains of the ancestral Appalachian Mountains. These mountains were eroded into inland seas during the Devonian Period 350 million years ago. Along the course of the Genesee River, on its three-day journey from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, over 100 million years of deposition are revealed in the rock layers, like pages of geologic time. Alternating strata of sandstones and shales offer a variety of soft-colored hues in the vertical cliff in front of you. Some shales are dark from highly organic clays, which have a fuel-oil odor caused from decayed plants and animals. Other rusty-brown bands contain oxidized minerals, such as iron.
Midway down this 350-foot cliff, a year-round spring is creating a huge stalagmite weighing several tons. This centuries-old rock, "growing" from precipitated lime mixed with algae and moss, is called tufa.
Erected by Letchworth State Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 42°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hornby Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Seh-Ga-Hun-Da (within shouting distance of this marker); William Pryor Letchworth 1823 - 1910 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Glacial History (about 300 feet away); Genesee Valley Canal (about 400 feet away); First New York Dragoons. Volunteers. 1862-1865. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Parade Grounds picnic area (approx. 0.2 miles away); First New York Dragoons / 136th New York Infantry (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Castile.
Also see . . . Letchworth State Park (Wikipedia). The bedrock exposed in the gorge is Devonian in age, mostly shales, with some layers of limestone and sandstone. The rock was laid down in an ancient inland sea, and it holds many marine fossils. (Submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marker detail: Layers of Rock
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
3. Pages of Geologic Time Marker • wide view
(Genesee River Gorge in background)
(Genesee River Gorge in background)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
4. Genesee River Gorge (view from marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
