GWRLT: Geology of Southern Maine

GWRLT: Geology week 1


Ten years ago, I started working at the University of New Hampshire because staff can take classes for free. I’ve always wanted to take an Earth Science course, especially Geology, but most classes in this department are in the morning, and I can only attend classes after 2 pm. 


Recently, I was excited to find out about a Saturday morning geology class offered by Great Works Regional Land Trust, taught by retired Dover High School Earth Science teacher Don Wason.

 

Week One, we met at the GWRLT office at Beach Plum Farm, where we learned the basics of mineral and rock identification, focusing on coastal Maine.






It was a great experience, and I’m looking forward to this Saturday’s field trip at Nubble. Next week, we’ll visit Marginal Way in Ogunquit. It’s wonderful to combine geology, education, and being outdoors, and I can’t wait for more weekends like this. 


GWRLT: Geology week #2

Saturday in my GWRLT Geology class, we headed to a Nubble Light field trip for our second week of instruction. I thought I was ready for the day, but it turned out to be pretty chilly and very windy. Photos with hoods up don't make for the best visual, but hats and mittens were necessary to stay warm.

Our teacher, Don Wason, began the session by explaining that Nubble Island and Sohier Park are part of the Cape Neddick Gabbro Complex, a fancy term for the geologic event that formed the Cape and this area of Maine. This formation happened about 119 million years ago when a bubble of magma rose to the surface. Historical mapping of the rocks revealed that they formed as a bubble of magma, a sphere with the apex being Cape Neddick Hill to the northwest of the lighthouse.




Feldspar dike



One interesting thing Don pointed out is that the vertical rock layers at the lighthouse aren’t formed horizontally and then uplifted, as I had assumed. Instead, these rocks probably formed on the sides of a magma chamber, staying in place while erosion shaped them depending on their mineral composition. There is also evidence of later magma intrusions, creating features like dikes and sills made out of basalt, breccia (also called puddingstone), and other materials. I’ve visited Nubble many times, but I never really thought about the great variety of rocks present there. There are large features and small, composed of rocks and minerals.

Magma chamber layering





Feldspar sill

Don, who is a retired high school science teacher, probably gets psyched when all of his students are actually excited about the subject.

Erosion of Granite

Feldspar dike

Basalt dike



Hornblende crystals


Tafoni erosion

Next week, we’ll meet again at Beach Plum Farm, then carpool to Marginal Way. The rocks at Nubble are igneous. It will be fun to compare them to the metamorphic rocks of Ogunquit which are part of the Kittery Formation.

Hornblende crystals

Tafoni erosion

Basalt intrusion






Did you find your way here after a hike where Kate was the volunteer photographer? Perhaps you've enjoyed her images or seen her byline on one of many environmental websites. Kate is a naturalist and largely self-taught photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty and urgency of the natural world. Having photographed hundreds of environmental events for nonprofit organizations—entirely self-funded—she is now asking for your help to upgrade her equipment. Your support will allow her to continue providing high-quality, impactful images that support conservation efforts. Ways you can help:

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