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It's easy to see the various rock layers encountered in various parts of Niagara County if we look at the a stratigraphic section of Niagara Falls, where all rocks are represented. Rock samples of the various types are attached to the illustration provided by the staff of the New York State Schoellkopf Geological Museum at Niagara Falls.
The top layer is the hard Lockport Dolomite. Just
as at Niagara Falls, this rock formation can be seen along top layers of rock usually
above or along the "Niagara Escarpment" which extends from Niagara Falls east
right through Lockport. This top layer of hard rock has been referred to as the
"Lower Silurian Group"
Under the Dolomite is Rochester Shale another common rock formation seen along the escarpment (including the dig of the Erie Barge Canal at Lockport). The shale is much softer and wears away easily with the effects of erosion. Under the shale, harder layers of limestone and dolostone are encountered. These strata are called the "Clinton Group."
Next comes Grimsby sandstone which is encountered more visibly in the plain areas north of the Erie canal route extending to Lake Ontario. The rock extending down through the "Whirlpool Sandstone" is referred to as the "Medina Group." It, too, can be encountered at Lockport excavations.
With this overview, you are prepared to go through the galleries here for a closer look and study of these rock types.
Lockport
Dolomite (Dolostone) is one of the major sedimentary rocks found in
this area.
The Dolomite name refers to both a rock and a mineral. The rock is now more frequently called the Dolestone. The mineral, Dolomite, is found in the rock.
The mineral is in the carbonate group and is chemically called "Calcium Magnesium Carbonate." The mineral is seen appearing as a part of the rock in the picture at left.
Dolomites form in marine environments and, indeed, much of the Lockport area was once under water. Rock of Dolomite is hard and withstands weathering well. It was thus a popular choice for home and building construction. It is also used in the production of crushed stone.
The Dolomite stones can be easily seen along the Niagara Escarpment at Lockport, especially near the Lockport Locks in downtown. Here the Dolostone formation is about 75-feet high and was one of the most difficult challenges for builders of the canal. Back in 1820 before canal construction, there were no drills that could penetrate this rock to put blasting powder in it. However, a temper-hardened drill was especially created for the purpose by a blacksmith. Many buildings and homes in the Lockport area were built with this hard stone removed from the canal and lock dig.
Lockport Dolostone traverses a wide band of the Niagara Frontier. The majority of minerals found here occur in this rock formation. Dolostone/Dolomite was also referred to as "Niagara Limestone" in certain early literature. It is of the Middle Silurian age. Medium to very dark Grey in color, a freshly broken surface usually glistens due to many minute cleavages of dolomite. When struck by a hammer, a strong bituminous odor can be recognized. Many deep pits and brownish Grey color are the usual results of weathering.
Lockport Dolomite contains a large number of solution cavities more or less rounded in shape and from a fraction of an inch to over a foot in diameter. These are called "vugs" which differ from "geodes" in that they cannot be easily separated from the main mass of rock. The minerals are found lining the walls of these vugs, partly or entirely filling them, or filling cracks and fissures in the rock.
During the building of the Erie Barge Canal huge amounts of rock, including Dolomite had to be unearthed and moved. This is especially true at Lockport where the locks were constructed. Rock removed from the canal excavations where first dumped nearby, then often transported to sites far away (by barge) once the canal was in operation and a need for rock was found for the base of bridges that cross the canal.
An excellent place to obtain Dolomite and other rocks that may contain minerals and fossils is in the rock quarries at Lockport. However, this is all private property and in more recent years, entry has been restricted. Organized groups of collectors, however, have been able to make arrangements for supervised exploration and digs in the quarries at modest costs.
We will be adding samples of lesser important rocks in the
Lockport area
in the near future. Please remember to check back often for
Museum additions!