Have you ever wondered how our local landscapes were formed? Where did the large sand and gravel deposits along the Coquitlam River come from? And why are there massive boulders scattered around Coquitlam?
At Tuesday's meeting of the Burke Mountain Naturalists, SFU professor Brent Ward will present an overview of the history of glaciations in B.C., with an emphasis on the Lower Mainland and the Tri-Cities.
His presentation will outline what caused the ice ages that characterize the last 2.6 million years of Earth's history. Ward’s talk will focus on the timing and nature of the last glaciation in B.C., the so-called Fraser Glaciation.
This glaciation carved the landscapes of the Lower Mainland and resulted in our spectacular scenery, glacial erratics and characteristic soil deposits that we use to grow crops, and to build houses and infrastructure on. Some of these deposits are also prone to landslides.
A glacial geologist, Ward studies glaciated and non-glaciated landscapes of different ages in order to reconstruct past environments. His research involves examining the fossils of past flora and fauna, including prehistoric mammoths and camels. Ward is chair of SFU’s Department of Earth Sciences.
The Sept. 13 meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. in the church hall of Como Lake United Church, located on the corner of Marmont Street and King Albert Avenue in Coquitlam. Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no charge.
For more information, call 604-461-3864 or visit www.bmn.bc.ca.
