Rocky Shores / Rocky Intertidal Zone and Tidepools on the North Shore of Massachusetts

Caution: The rocks of the intertidal are often covered with very slippery algae. Use caution and supervise small children. Hermit Crab at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Northern Rock Barnacles at Preston Beach in Marblehead. Dogwhelk at Halibut Point State Park. Limpet at Halibut Point State Park. Orange-Striped Green Anemone and anurida maritima at Halibut…… Continue reading Rocky Shores / Rocky Intertidal Zone and Tidepools on the North Shore of Massachusetts

Salt Marshes on the North Shore of Massachusetts

Overview The North Shore is home to the largest continuous salt marsh in New England. The Great Marsh runs from Cape Ann into New Hampshire and covers over 20,000 acres. Further South, the 600 acre Rumney Marsh Reservation fringes the mouth of the Saugus River on the border of Revere and Saugus. Salt Marshes form…… Continue reading Salt Marshes on the North Shore of Massachusetts

Bedrock Geology of the North Shore / Northeastern Massachusetts

Exotic New England The bedrock under the North Shore is exotic. More precisely it is part of an exotic terrane, meaning that our bedrock has not always been part of North America. It’s origins lie off what is now the Northern coasts of Africa and South America from a time when the two continents were…… Continue reading Bedrock Geology of the North Shore / Northeastern Massachusetts

Glacial History of the North Shore / Northeastern Massachusetts

Around two-and-a-half million years ago, just East of Hudson Bay in Canada, it began to snow. While snow in Canada is not particularly unusual, this snow didn’t melt in the Summer. At least, it didn’t melt as quickly as it fell during the Winter. As the snow built up over hundreds of years, it began…… Continue reading Glacial History of the North Shore / Northeastern Massachusetts