The majesty and fortitude of these mushroom shaped giants has made
them a symbol of Alberta and the harsh, beautiful, badlands. Images
of these hoodoos have been used to promote Alberta throughout the
world.
The word hoodoo originates from the Hausa language meaning "to
arouse resentment, produce retribution." Hoodoo was a distinct
magic practice introduced to North America in the 18th century,
although different in nature than the more familiar voodoo.
Aboriginal peoples used "hoodoo" to refer to evil, supernatural
forces. Some believed hoodoos where giants turned to stone by the
Great Spirit due to their evil deeds.
Ten thousand years of erosion by wind and water have created
these rock pillars. Protective caps of hard sandstone have
prevented the hoodoos from wearing away as quickly as the
surrounding rock. Acting like umbrellas, the caps shelter the
under-lying softer rock from much of the erosive power of wind and
water. Erosion of the pillars is slows down but not stopped, and in
time these hoodoos will collapse.
The brown shale layer at the bottom of the hoodoos was the floor
of an ancient sea about 73 million years ago. Signs of marine life
may be found here. The upper grey sandstone section was formed from
sand deposited by rivers and streams about 70 million years ago --
a time of swamps, lakes, forests and dinosaurs.
To log this earth cache please email the answers to the
following questions to the owner:
- When was this area designated a Provincial Historic
Resource?
- It is not only the effects of wind and rain that have sped up
the erosion of these hoodoos . What else has shortened the lifespan
of these hoodoos?
- What is the black layer seen in the valley walls?
- 70-72 million years ago, Alberta was much warmer, similar to
what current area of North America?
Please post a picture of you and your GPS with the Hoodoos.
Please remember these hoodoos are fragile, please to not climb
on them, remove anything from them, or vandalise them in
anyway.
In 1979, Dinosaur Provincial Park was designated a United
Nations World Heritage Site. World Heritage sites are established
for the lasting protection of significant, irreplaceable cultural
and natural heritage resources on a international scale. Other
World Heritage sites include the Vatican City, Egypt's Thebes, with
its Necropolis, the ancient city of Damascus, the Parthenon in
Greece, America's Yellowstone National Park and New York's Statue
of Liberty.
Treading Lightly
As park visitors we are but temporary guests in a protected area
that is home to many animals and plants. In this very special place
we all have a responsibility to tread lightly.
When on the trails please remember:
In the Park all rocks, fossils, plants and animals are protected
by law from disturbance, excavation, removal or harassment. No
flower picking or fossil digging is allowed.
Keep all pets under control and on a two metre leash. Please use
litter pick-up bags.
Stay on formal trails as much as possible. If you must go
off-trail, keep off plants. Walk on bare rock or in "gullies" to
minimize long-term footprints.
Respect wildlife by not feeding them, and watch from a safe
distance. Report any unique sightings to park staff.
Pack out your litter! (Feel free to CITO other peoples when you
see it)