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Arch Rock | ||
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| In easily accessible areas along the entire shoreline of the Arch Rock Geological Hiking Trail, extremely rare fossils are found in abundance. They are the remains of the oldest multicellular organisms which existed on earth over 570 million years ago. |  | |
 | Fossils from the Ediacaran age are found in only a few places in the world. These fossils are of immense scientific value. The Ediacaran fossils of Newfoundland are the most accessible for scientists in the western world.
Ediacaran fossil sites in Newfoundland have already been designated ecological reserves. The Mistaken Point ecological reserve is in the process of being recognized as a world heritage site. |
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The Arch Rock is a unique geological formation. Not only does it contain an Ediacaran fossil, (photo on left) it is also a composite sea arch. It has three distinct arches, two at right angles to each other, making it an extremely rare and beautiful natural formation. It already has modest popularity, having been captured in paintings, post cards and photographs. Arch Rock is the emblem of the town of Little Catalina. As an example of ocean erosion, it is an excellent teaching resource. |
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An interesting man-made feature of the Arch Rock Geological Hiking Trail is an abandoned silver mine (Pay Point Mine). This mine was active in the early 1900's. At present the shaft is not easily accessible. However, it is possible to build infrastructure to allow safe and easy access to this interesting feature. The remnant of the ore vein is still visible providing both a point of interest and teaching potential. |  |
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