The Green Point Geological site + Coastal Hike, Gros Morne, Newfoundland

Coastal meadow grass

About an hour before low tide at 12:30 pm we walk from our Green Point campground to the Green Point Geological site. The walk takes us through rugged coastal meadow grass that thrives in salt spray and cool ocean breezes. There is a colourful fishing village just before the geological site. 

Fishing village near Green Point

Bronze Plaque marking GSSP boundary site

At the site is a rock with a bronze plaque to symbolise this location as a 'Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP). This exact location was chosen by global scientists because it holds an unbroken fossil record showing the exact moment the Cambrian Period ended and the Ordovician Period began, around 485 million years ago. This transition between periods is defined by the sudden first appearance of a microscopic, tooth-like fossil called a 'conodont' in these layers. When a global timeline boundary is officially agreed upon, scientists symbolically place a 'golden spike', or in this case a bronze plaque. 

Green Point Geological site - AKA Bed 23

Vertical layers of rock

These layers of shale and limestone built up horizontally over millions of years under an old ocean. There was a tectonic shift that pushed the flat layers up so they now stand at a sharp, vertical angle along the coast. 

Iconic Parks Canada Red Chairs above

Green Point is a 'perfect storm' of geological luck because it combines two rare phenomena in one easily accessible spot. The perfect GSSP time capsule exposed by tectonic plates shifting. If the layers had remained flat, and buried miles underground, scientists would never have been able to study them. 

Gorgeous layers

Exposed edges of rock layers

Core holes of scientist samples

Original shells gone leaving 'mold fossils'

Fossil impression

Luck is with us as today there is an old geologist on site in the area to take in a book club event at a town nearby. He's very informative and he shows us what we are looking for in finding impressions of fossils. 

faint fossil imprint

Above the Green Point Ecological site

Amazing day...there is so much to take in but between AI and the old geologist on site, we have a pretty good understanding as to how important this site is. We head back to the trailer for lunch and tea before doing the 'Coastal Hike'. 

Old winter mail route

The coastal hike follows a historic winter mail route that once linked the small fishing communities of Baker's Brook and Green Point. 

There are lots of 'Tuckamore Forests', which are dense, wind-swept patches of stunted coastal trees shaped by harsh ocean gale winds. 

The trail is so scenic with long cobble stone beaches, small ponds, wildflowers and sweeping ocean views. So dramatic. 

More Parks Canada Red Chairs

Sun set from the cliff edge

Sun set from our trailer rear window

Another sun set to end our day :)