Jasper National Park is widely considered one of the most beautiful places in Canada, but behind all that beauty are millions of years of geologic activity that is still happening today.
To help explain the natural forces that have helped shape Jasper National Park, Dale Leckie, an award-winning geologist and author, will be in town on July 14 and 15 for Parks Day.
While he is in Jasper he will hold a presentation at Whistlers Amphitheatre on July 14 at 9 p.m. and a guided hike to Maligne Canyon on July 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
His presentation will delve into the geological forces that have shaped some of Jasper鈥檚 most iconic natural features from the Maligne Canyon to the Miette Hot Springs.
鈥淲hat I want to share with people is an appreciation for our spectacular landscape and why it was created,鈥� said Leckie. 鈥淭he idea is to give people a better understanding about the mountain landscapes they came to Jasper to visit.鈥�
His presentation will include a formal segment with slides and graphics as well as audience participation.
鈥淭o me the most fascinating geologic formation is that system that gives us the Maligne Canyon,鈥� said Leckie. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got Medicine Lake, where the lake drains from the bottom of the lake. It goes underground, it鈥檚 like a plug that鈥檚 in the bottom of your sink or bath tub and then that water goes 16 kilometres downstream in caves that nobody has ever been in and comes out the base near Maligne Canyon.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just fascinating.鈥�
During his presentation Leckie will also expand on other geological formations found in his new book called Rocks, Ridges and Rivers: Geological wonders of Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Park.
The book primarily follows the TransCanada highway from Canmore to Lake Louise, with a side trip to Field, B.C, before turning north to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway and east along Highway 16.
Along the way it explains the geological wonders that can be seen from roadside pullouts or short walks, such as Athabasca Falls and Mount Edith Cavell.
鈥淚 wanted people to get a high level overview of what they are looking at to understand the beautiful landscape and leave them with the impression about the amount of time necessary to create those mountains,鈥� said Leckie.
He stressed the book is not a hiking guide. Instead it鈥檚 meant for people who are in their cars that want to pull over and know the science behind what they are looking at.
Leckie will be on the lawn of the Visitor Information Centre on July 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to sign his book. Those who are interested in joining him on his guided hike later that evening should contact the Friends of Jasper for tickets.
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
