Eramosa Karst

Infobox Protected area
name = Eramosa Karst Conservation Area
iucn_category =

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caption = Entrance of Nexus Cave.
base_width = 250
locator_x =
locator_y =
location = Canada
nearest_city = Hamilton, Ontario
lat_degrees=43 |lat_minutes=11 |lat_seconds=9 |lat_direction= N
long_degrees=-79 |long_minutes=48 |long_seconds=27 |long_direction= E
area = 78 ha
established = 2008
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Hamilton Conservation Authority
world_heritage_site =The Eramosa Karst is a provincially-significant Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest in Ontario, Canada, located in Stoney Creek, a constituent community of the City of Hamilton, and immediately south of the Niagara Escarpment.cite web|url=http://cgrg.geog.uvic.ca/abstracts/KirkEramosaIn.html|title=Eramosa Karst Area of natural and scientific interest (ANSI), Abstract|author=Kirk, D.; Murch, B.; and Durst, J.|publisher=Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology|accessdate=2007-07-27]

It exhibits sixteen different karstic geological features, of which seven are provincially significant,cite web
title = Natural Areas Report: ERAMOSA KARST
publisher = Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
date = 2008-06-27
url = http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/areas/areas_report.cfm?areaid=18489
accessdate = 2008-08-04] and is considered to be the best example of karst topography found in Ontario.cite web
title = Age of rocks
publisher = The Hamilton Spectator
date = 2005-02-15
url = http://www.thespec.com/specialsections/section/Escarpment/263293
accessdate = 2008-08-04] The area is composed of parcels of land that are provincially, municipally and privately owned. It received ANSI-ES designation on February 13, 2003.

Conservation area

In October 2006, Ontario donated 73 ha of land to the Hamilton Conservation Authority to create a new conservation area [cite web
title = Province Donates Eramosa Karst Lands
publisher = Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
date = 2006-10-23
url = http://www.pir.gov.on.ca/English/news/2006/q4/n20061023.htm
accessdate = 2008-07-29] , followed by another donation of 3.1 ha in April 2007.cite web
title = Eramosa Karst Conservation Area - Draft Master Plan
publisher = Hamilton Conservation Authority
date = June 2007
url = http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/Asset/iu_files/EramosaKarstMasterPlan.pdf
accessdate = 2008-07-29] The City of Hamilton has also contributed in June 2007 by transferring 1.6 ha. The area opened to the public on June 20, 2008. [cite web
title = Eramosa Karst Conservation Area
publisher = Hamilton Conservation Authority
url = http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/parks/visit/eramosa.asp
accessdate = 2008-07-29]

Landform

The area is crossed by the Eramosa Escarpment. It is morphologically similar to the Niagara Escarpent, as both are composed of the Lockport Formation dolostones. However, the Eramosa Escarpment is much smaller in height (no more than 10 metres); its crest is only occasionally defined by cliffs, which are no higher than 3 metres. Most of the bedrock is buried by till.

The area exhibits a great concentration of various karstic features.

oil pipes

These tubular cavities, a few milimitres to a few centimitres in diameter, conduct water from the surface to the karst bedrock below.

Dolines

Dolines (or sinkholes) are mostly found in its suffosion form. Suffosion dolines are depressions formed above caves and smaller cavities in unconsolidated sediments. Many of such dolines in the Eramosa Karst are formed by a combination of soil piping and erosion of the glacially-deposited sediments, overlying the bedrock.

Karst windows

These features are created when a cave's bedrock roof collapses. Pottruff Cave's entrance is an example of such a formation.

Valleys

Streams flowing through the area have formed different varieties of valleys that are typical of a karstic landscape. Blind valleys are formed when a stream sinks underground. As there is no farther surface flow, a valley ends abruptly. A half-blind valley is similar, except that a surface flow is occasionally present downstream of the sinkpoint. Dry valleys were formed prior to the development of underground stream passages, representing a former route of springs before they were diverted by sinkholes. Depending on the stage of evolution, these valleys may or may not have surface flow.

Caves

Five dissolutional caves, large enough for human entry, have been identified within the area. Nexus Cave is the largest. Measuring 335 metres in length, it is the 10th longest cave in Ontario.

Conservation efforts

The ANSI status of the area does not imply automatic protection. The conservation area's boundaries roughly correspond to the Core Area of the ANSI. However, the Feeder Area, where the streams originate, is managed by the Ontario Realty Corporation, which intends to sell it for residential development. [cite web
title = ORC is steamrolling ahead with its intention to prepare the feeder lands to Eramosa karst for sale for development.
publisher = Friends of the Eramosa Karst
date = 2006-10-23
url = http://www.friendsoferamosakarst.org/pressJune26.htm
accessdate = 2008-08-04] Local scientists and politicians urge the Ontario government to abandon its plans and incorporate these lands into the conservation area, arguing that geological and biological diversity of Eramosa Karst will be severely diminished, should the development take place. [cite web
title = Development will destroy karst; group
publisher = Stoney Creek News
date = 2008-02-02
url = http://www.stoneycreeknews.com/news/article/115559
accessdate = 2008-08-04] [cite web
title = Area MPPs pressing government on karst area
publisher = Stoney Creek News
date = 2008-06-06
url = http://www.stoneycreeknews.com/news/article/131568
accessdate = 2008-08-04]

It is planned to connect the conservation area to Felker's Falls, Mount Albion Conservation Area, and Bruce Trail via the 10 kilometre East Mountain Loop Trail. Furthermore, a link to Olmstead Cave, located in a Hamilton park, is considered.

References

External links

* [http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/parks/visit/eramosa.asp Eramosa Karst Conservation Area]
* [http://www.friendsoferamosakarst.org/ Friends of the Eramosa Karst]