GLACIAL GROOVES STATE MEMORIAL
The Glacial Grooves on the north side of Kelleys Island are the largest easily accessible such grooves in the world. They were scoured into solid limestone bedrock about 18,000 years ago by the great ice sheet which covered part of North America. A trough 400-feet long, 35-feet wide, and up to 10-feet deep remains today. The ice, probably hundreds of feet thick, flowed from the north in what is now the Lake Erie basin. The Devonian limestone containing the grooves contains marine fossils that are 350 to 400 million years old. Many other grooves were quarried away during the last century.
Fencing now protects this National Natural Landmark. A walkway and stairs permit visitors a good view of the grooves.
Glacial Grooves State Memorial, located on Kelleys Island in Lake Erie, Ohio, is a geological formation that bears witness to the geological history of the region. Here is a summary of its history:
Formation:
Around 18,000 years ago, during the Wisconsinan glaciation period of the Pleistocene Epoch, a massive glacier called the Laurentian ice sheet covered North America. The ice sheet advanced across the region, moving, scraping, and eroding the underlying bedrock. As the glacier retreated, it left behind spectacular geological features known as glacial grooves.
Discovery:
Glacial grooves were first discovered on Kelleys Island in 1838 by two scientists, Edward Hitchcock and Charles Whittlesey, during a geological survey of the area. They noted the impressive nature of the formations, measuring up to 400 feet in length, 35 feet in width, and up to 10 feet in depth.
Recognition as a State Memorial:
The significance of Glacial Grooves was soon recognized, and in 1932, the State of Ohio designated the site as a state memorial to preserve and protect this unique geological feature. Today, it is managed by the Ohio History Connection, formerly known as the Ohio Historical Society.
Protection and Preservation:
To ensure the preservation of Glacial Grooves, measures were taken to protect the site from human intervention. A shelter was constructed over the grooves in 1972 to shield them from weathering and erosion. Additionally, a set of stairs and a walkway were installed to allow visitors to view the grooves while minimizing the impact on the site.
Importance:
Glacial Grooves on Kelleys Island holds great scientific value as they provide insights into the glacial activity and climatic conditions of the Ice Age. The grooves display evidence of the powerful forces exerted by the glaciers as they carved through the bedrock, leaving behind distinct striations and parallel grooves.
Visiting Glacial Grooves State Memorial:
Glacial Grooves State Memorial is open to the public and accessible to visitors who want to witness this unique geological phenomenon. The site also offers interpretive signage and educational materials to enhance visitors' understanding and appreciation of the glacial history of Ohio.
Glacial Grooves State Memorial in Ohio is a remarkable geological testament to the glacial activity of the Ice Age. Its recognition as a state memorial ensures the preservation of this significant natural treasure for future generations to explore and learn from.
Conference Center
Week long youth camps. Located on the shores of Kelleys Island. Guests will learn to sail, wakeboard, waterski while enjoying the beauty of the Lake Erie island.
0.9 miles from park*