South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo)- Exploring the Geologic Origins of Long Island

Participants must call (631) 537-9735 for reservations and information about meeting place

Program Leader: Steve Englebright, Geologist, Professor of Sustainability Studies, SUNY at Stony Brook and member of the New York State Legislature, 4th Assembly District

 Believed by many to be Long Island’s most spectacular geological exposure, the coastal bluff at “Ditch Plains” has been studied by geologists for more than 100 years and is still full of the mysteries of our glacial past. On this walk, you’ll follow the magnificent outcrops that face the open ocean and lead to rare and unusual geologic formations.  These include bizarre erosional features that are fluted pinnacles of clay called hoodoos, a glacial ice contact deposit known as Montauk till; and endlessly varied rocks and soil material carried by the glacier and then left behind when it melted, approximately 18,000 years ago.  In this rare opportunity to have Steve as our guide, we’ll learn about the direction the glacier took by looking at clues such as ice clast pebble orientation, and both large and small drop stones which are ice rafted boulders dropped into now vanished glacial lakes.   This walk will help you to see how our landscape was formed and how glaciers shape the ecosystems and vegetation we see today.

*Reservations are required for all walks, workshops, and programs*

There is no charge for SoFo Members (unless otherwise stated); Non-members $7 per adult; $5 per child

Fees include admission to the museum on the day of the program