![Geoscape Canada Geoscape Canada](/web/20061103033227im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/esst_images/geoscape_e.jpeg) Natural Resources Canada > Earth Sciences Sector > Priorities > Geoscape Canada > Toronto
Geoscape Toronto Niagara Escarpment (Part 2)
![Niagara Escarpment The Western Wall](/web/20061103033227im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/toronto/images/escarptxt1_e.gif)
![Tropical vacation anyone?](/web/20061103033227im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/toronto/images/escarp2txt1_e.gif)
During the Silurian
Period, rising seas flooded much of the continent. At that time the GTA
was south of the equator and the warm shallow seas were inhabited by an
abundance of marine invertebrates as depicted in the reconstruction
below. Remains of these organisms are preserved as fossils in the rocks
that form the Niagara Escarpment.
![ne - fig5](/web/20061103033227im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/toronto/images/escarp2img1_e.gif)
![Sapping process](/web/20061103033227im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/toronto/images/escarp2txt2_e.gif)
Since the tropical seas
disappeared millions of years ago, exposure to the elements has caused
weathering and removal of the softer underlying shale, leaving a steep
dolostone cap. This weathering process, called sapping, continues today.
![ne - fig6](/web/20061103033227im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/toronto/images/escarp2img2_e.gif)
![ne - fig7](/web/20061103033227im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/toronto/images/escarp2img3.gif)
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The Niagara Escarpment
provides habitat for many unusual species including 1000 year old
Eastern white cedars, the oldest living trees in eastern North America.
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Grey cliffs of the
escarpment are exposed within a forested strip. Below the cliffs, a
golf course shows one of the recreational uses of this area. Above the
cliffs, dolostone is being extracted for construction.
![ne - fig8](/web/20061103033227im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/toronto/images/escarp2img4.gif)
![mini_logo_e](/web/20061103033227im_/http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/toronto/images/geoscape_sm_e.gif)
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