Eroding sandstone formations
I spent a bit of time at Houston’s Beach, a lesser known section of beach on the Blomidon Peninsula – a bit south of Blomidon Provincial Park.
I arrived just as the tide was starting to ebb, so I had to walk through the water as I poked about. The water on the shore of this section of the Minas Basin is relatively warm on a hot August day so it was quite pleasant, and I did not have to be concerned about being caught by a rising tide.
Over the span of 30 minutes the tide receded enough to uncover a fair bit of beach, thanks to the 50 foot tidal range and the gentle slope of the beach.
As I walked to the North the cliffs became higher, and the composition became more complex. The geology of this area is largely comprised of sedimentary sandstone, which is unique since it is connected to the North Mountain range and made up of tholeiitic basalt.
The reddish-coloured cliffs reach up to 100 metres in height above the Minas Basin, which stretches out to the east.
I will revisit this area in the winter – I think the cliffs will be quite spectacular when covered in ice.
