The "WHALE" a Glacial Erratic - Places of Geologic Significance on Waymarking.com

A glacial erratic is a piece of rock that deviates from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests; the name "erratic" is based on the errant location of these boulders. These rocks were carried to their current locations by glacial ice, often over hundreds of kilometres. Erratics can range in size from pebbles to large boulders such as Big Rock (16,500 tons) in Alberta.

Geologists identify erratics by studying the rocks surrounding the position of the erratic and the composition of the erratic itself. Erratics were once considered evidence of a massive flood approximately 10,000 years ago, similar to the legendary floods described in the texts of ancient civilizations throughout the world. Ancient legends of an epic flood come from many cultures including Mesoamerican, Sumerian (Epic of Gilgamesh), Hebrew (Old Testament) and Indian culture.

In the 19th century, many scientists came to favor erratics as evidence for the end of the last glacial maximum (ice age) 10,000 years ago, rather than a flood. Geologists have suggested that landslides or rockfalls initially dropped the rocks on top of glacial ice. The glaciers continued to move, carrying the rocks with them. When the ice melted, the erratics were left in their present locations.

This erratic is Vermillion Granite and at 150lb/ft3 weighs about 160 tons.

Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes Parking Coordinates: N 48° 07.962 W 092° 11.120 Access fee (In local currency): Not Listed Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: Not Listed Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: Not Listed Public Transport available: Not Listed Website reference: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   05/17/2010 wildernessmama visited it