(2) Lower Myra Falls; Strathcona Provincial Park, B.C., Canada. © 2009 DeLene Beeland
This is a continuation from my earlier post on travels in British Columbia last summer… Picture-2 is the view from Lower Myra Falls at the southern tip of Buttle Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. Informational signs at the trail head alert visitors to the fact that the falls were formed by a series of earthquakes acting on faults which systematically displaced sections of bedrock so that the bed of Myra Creek was cracked and lowered in six to eight places. Over time, these cracks lowered the creek like a staircase into Buttle Lake’s aqueous hold.
(3) A central pool in Lower Myra Falls; Strathcona Provincial Park, B.C., Canada. © 2009 DeLene Beeland
Picture -3 shows a central water pool just below the main falls.
(4) A water shoot in Lower Myra Falls; Strathcona Provincial Park, B.C., Canada. © 2009 DeLene Beeland
Picture-4 shows the water from the pool channeled into a narrow rock slot that shuttles the water to another pool below, where it is channeled to yet another rock slot which spits it into the lake below. Note the rock’s “stair case” formation showing the characteristic block faulting.
(5) View of Buttle Lake from Lower Myra Falls; Strathcona Provincial Park, B.C., Canada. © 2009 DeLene Beeland
Picture-5 shows the view of Buttle Lake, Myra Creek’s destination, from the central pool.
DeLene, these are great photos. They remind me of our book, “Exploring the Geology of the Carolinas,” especially with your reading of the geological forces at play. British Columbia is one of my favorite places on Earth. I wish it weren’t all the way on the other side of the continent!
I need to read that one, especially with my interest in natural history. Geology and natural history are a great way to “read” an area. Believe it or not, there was a lead, zinc and gold mine just around the corner from this idyllic place. Amazingly huge operation too.