Layered limestones and shales at Green Point, Gros Morne National Park.
The rocks of the coastal terrace and cliffs at Green Point originated offshore in the Iapetus Ocean about 500 million years ago. These fossil-bearing limestones and shales were transported from about 100 km to the east of this site during the collision of ancient continents. Now they lie tipped at 115 degrees, just past the vertical. This is one of the rock sequences that geologists have studies in their attempt to reconstruct the ancient continental margin of eastern North America.

Photo courtesy of Trevor Bell, © 1998.