Geology of the St. Lawrence Valley [F-13-19]

The origin of landscapes in the New York section of the St. Lawrence Valley will be discussed in two parts: (1) The gentle to flat region, underlain by near-horizontal sedimentary strata, whose surface expression is dominated by glacial deposits. (2) Rougher, stream erosional topography called the Northwest Adirondack Lowlands. Landforms here reflect the erosion of steeply inclined layers of ancient metamorphic and igneous rocks. We will discuss why area (2) is famous for mineral and crystal collecting.

For 33 years the teaching duties of Professor Emeritus Jim Carl in the SUNY Potsdam Geology Department included mineralogy and geomorphology (the origin of landforms). Much research was done on the origin and age of ancient crystalline rocks in the Adirondack Lowlands.

Cap: 25