Stonehammer Unesco Geopark: New Brunswick's Ancient Landscape

Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark is located in Southern New Brunswick on the East Coast of Canada. Covering 2,500 square kilometres, it is a geological park that showcases a billion years of Earth's history. The landscape of the Stonehammer Geopark has been shaped by tectonic collisions, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and climate change. The park includes geological stories from the late Precambrian time a billion years ago to the most recent Ice Age. Visitors can explore a variety of sites, including beaches, waterfalls, hikes, and museums. Stonehammer is also home to significant fossil sites, with fossils ranging from Precambrian stromatolites to the evolution of vertebrates. The park is located on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik, Peskotomuhkatik, and Mi’kmaq peoples, and it recognises the diverse First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities in the region.

Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark is a 2500km region in Southern New Brunswick with a billion-year geological history

Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark is a 2500-square-kilometre region in Southern New Brunswick, Canada, with a billion-year geological history. The park is home to a diverse range of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples and is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik, Peskotomuhkatik, and Mi’kmaq peoples.

The Stonehammer Geopark landscape has been shaped by the collision of continents, the opening and closing of oceans, volcanic activity, earthquakes, ice ages, and climate change. The park's rocks hold evidence of the evolution of life, from Precambrian stromatolite fossils to the emergence of life on land. The geopark covers stories from late Precambrian times a billion years ago to the most recent Ice Age.

The name "Stonehammer" comes from the "Steinhammer Club", a group of young men in Saint John who, in 1857, began exploring the local geology. The club was inspired by Dr. Abraham Gesner, who, in 1838, became the first Provincial Geologist in the British Empire and established one of Canada's first public museums. The rock hammer, or stone hammer, remains an essential tool for geologists today.

Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark offers a wide range of activities for visitors, including hiking, kayaking, boat tours, and museum visits. The park includes almost 60 geosites, such as Lepreau Falls, the Fundy Trail Parkway, and Norton and Hampstead, showcasing the area's diverse geological features. The park's logo features a trilobite, one of the area's best-known fossils, honouring the discovery of Cambrian-age trilobites in the park in 1863.

The Stonehammer Geopark is not just about geology but also the connection between people, society, and culture. The park highlights how geology shapes our lives, from where we settle to the crops we grow and the natural hazards we face. The park aims to enhance awareness and understanding of key societal issues, such as sustainable resource use and climate change mitigation, through its geological heritage and its connection to the area's natural and cultural history.

The landscape has been shaped by continental collisions, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and climate change

The Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark in Southern New Brunswick showcases a landscape that has been shaped by continental collisions, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and climate change over a billion years. The geopark covers a 2500km region, spanning from Lepreau Falls in the west to the Fundy Trail Parkway in the east, and north to Norton and Hampstead.

The park's landscape is a testament to the Earth's geological history, bearing witness to the evolution of life. The rocks of the geopark hold stories of the first discovery of Precambrian stromatolite fossils, the 'Cambrian Explosion' of life, the evolution of vertebrates, and the emergence of life on land.

The formation of the landscape began with the collision of continents, which led to the closing and opening of oceans. Volcanic activity also played a significant role, shaping the terrain and contributing to the diverse geological features found within the park. Earthquakes have also left their mark on the region, creating unique geological formations.

In addition to these geological forces, climate change has been a significant factor in shaping the Stonehammer Geopark. The region has experienced ice ages, with glaciers carving and sculpting the landscape, leaving behind valleys, fjords, and other distinctive features. The interplay between these various forces has resulted in the creation of a diverse and fascinating landscape that attracts visitors from around the world.

The Stonehammer Geopark is not just about geology; it also holds cultural and historical significance. The region is home to diverse First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples, with a rich cultural heritage. The geopark offers a unique opportunity to explore the connections between geology, communities, culture, and nature, providing a holistic understanding of the area's natural and cultural heritage.

The park includes almost 60 geosites, from Lepreau Falls in the west to the Fundy Trail Parkway in the east

The Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark is a 2,500-square-kilometre region in Southern New Brunswick, Canada, with a geological history spanning a billion years. The park's landscape has been shaped by the collision of continents, the opening and closing of oceans, volcanic activity, earthquakes, ice ages, and climate change.

The park includes almost 60 geosites, spanning from Lepreau Falls in the west to the Fundy Trail Parkway in the east, and north to Norton and Hampstead. Geosites encompass locations of special scientific interest, public parks, streetscapes, museums, and exhibitions.

Lepreau Falls, located within Lepreau Falls Provincial Park, is a spectacular waterfall just a short drive from Saint John. The falls feature an 8-metre rocky ledge, creating a roaring cascade into the Bay of Fundy. The rocks at Lepreau Falls are estimated to be from the Early Carboniferous age, approximately 325 to 315 million years old. They exhibit a striking array of colours, ranging from red to purple sandstone, shale, and conglomerate. While fossils are rarely found in these rocks, a notable discovery was made in 1974: a tetrapod trackway, believed to be the footprints of one of the oldest amphibians on Earth.

At the Fundy Trail Parkway, visitors can observe rock outcrops exposing Precambrian to Cambrian rocks near the Mitchell Franklin Bridge at Big Salmon River and Triassic-age rocks along the western coast. The Fundy Trail is proud to be a part of the Stonehammer Geopark, recognised for its exceptional geological heritage.

Stonehammer is home to fossils from the Precambrian period, the Cambrian Explosion, and the evolution of vertebrates

Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark is located in Southern New Brunswick on the East Coast of Canada. The Stonehammer Geopark is a geological park that showcases a billion years of Earth's history. The landscape of the Stonehammer Geopark has been shaped by tectonic activity, the collision of continents, the closing and opening of oceans, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, ice ages, and climate change. The rocks of the geopark bear witness to the evolution of life, from the first discovery of Precambrian stromatolite fossils, to the 'Cambrian Explosion' of complex life, and the subsequent evolution of vertebrates and the emergence of life on land.

Precambrian Fossils

The Precambrian period, spanning from around a billion years ago to 541 million years ago, represents the earliest phase of Earth's history preserved within the Stonehammer Geopark. The oldest rocks in the park, belonging to the Late Precambrian Green Head Group, are approximately 800 million years old. These rocks contain the Archaeozoon acadiense, the first correctly described Precambrian stromatolite fossil in the scientific literature. Stromatolites are fossilised structures created by colonies of microorganisms, offering a glimpse into the earliest forms of life on our planet.

Cambrian Explosion

The Cambrian Explosion, also known as the Cambrian radiation or Cambrian diversification, was a transformative interval in Earth's history approximately 538.8 million years ago. During this period, a rapid diversification of complex life occurred, and almost all major animal phyla began to appear in the fossil record. The Cambrian Explosion marked the transition from predominantly simple, single-celled organisms to the variety of life we see today. The first discovered Cambrian fossils were trilobites, described by Edward Lhuyd in 1698, and further studied in detail by George Matthew in the 1860s.

Evolution of Vertebrates

The Stonehammer Geopark also documents the evolution of vertebrates, which emerged after the Cambrian Explosion. The geopark contains fossils from the Devonian period, dating back 375 million years, including plant fossils and the lobefin fish Holoptychius. The Upper Carboniferous rocks of Stonehammer, similar to those at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage site, have yielded important vertebrate fossils. Additionally, the geopark showcases the evolution of life onto land, with fossils from the Carboniferous period providing evidence of early forests and terrestrial ecosystems.

The park offers activities like zip-lining, kayaking, hiking, and museum visits, with something for everyone

Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark is located in Southern New Brunswick on the East Coast of Canada. The park offers a wide variety of activities for visitors, including zip-lining, kayaking, hiking, and museum visits.

For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the Saint John Adventures zip line offers a thrilling experience, zooming over the Reversing Rapids. The Reversing Falls Restaurant's Skywalk also tests visitors' fear of heights, with a glass-floored boardwalk jutting out over the rapids.

Kayaking enthusiasts can explore the sea caves at Martin's, created by the area's famous high tides, or join the River Relics Kayak Adventure with GoFundy Events to view incredible fossils from the water.

Hiking opportunities abound in Stonehammer, with Rockwood Park offering 55 walking trails and an indoor climbing wall. The Irving Nature Park on Taylors Island is another popular spot, featuring kilometres of hiking trails and breathtaking coastal views.

The park also caters to those interested in museums and exhibitions. The New Brunswick Museum serves as a hub of information about the Geopark and features interactive exhibits and fascinating fossil displays. The Natural History Society of New Brunswick, founded by the Steinhammer Club, also provides insights into the region's geological history.

With its diverse range of activities, Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark has something for everyone, allowing visitors to explore the connections between geology, communities, culture, and nature in Southern New Brunswick.

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