Toronto's Historical Plaques
Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques
Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006
Plaque coordinates: 43.702283 -79.23885
The layers of sand and clay exposed in these cliffs display a remarkable geological record of the last stages of the Great Ice Age. Unique in North America, they have attracted worldwide scientific interest. The first 46 metres of sediments contain fossil plants and animals that were deposited in a large river delta during the first advance of the Wisconsinan glacier some 70,000 years ago. They are covered by 61 metres of boulder clay and sand in alternating layers left by four subsequent advances and retreats of ice. The final withdrawal of the glacier occurred some 12,000 years ago.
Posted March 3, 2011
this was really good. thanks for that
Posted October 5, 2009
Hi, I was walking along the bluffs and found several fossils. I don't know what I am looking at. Can anyone direct me to an identification website or book for the Bluffs or Lake Ontario? I have tried the web and found a few I recognize. Now I'm hooked. Thanks in advance for your help.
Michael Bradt, Toronto, Ontario. email@example.com
Posted February 4, 2009
As a lay person, if you were to poetically describe these cliffs, how would you put it? Cliffs of clay? Cliffs of sand? Cliffs of sand and clay? I have wrestled with this often as I grew up a block from the bluffs and write about them, or attempt to, in many genres, but have always been slightly put off by my inability to be accurate about their geology, and remain somewhat poetic. I appreciate any advice you can offer. Post here, or email me directly. Thanks. firstname.lastname@example.org
Posted October 7, 2008
Very nice and helpful. Thank you.
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