Porch Talk - Glacial Geology

Guest speaker Scott MacMillin delivered an immensely interesting Porch Talk at the club on July 21, 2024.  Scott's presentation focused on Glacial Geology and Groundwater Resources of Plymouth.

Taking us back to the Pleistocene Epoch, which ended a mere 11,700 years ago, Scott explained how Plymouth and the surrounding area was forged by glacial action.  With so much water contained within the ice sheets, global sea levels were approximately 400 feet lower than the present day.  As a result, Plymouth was very much an inland area, with the coastline much further out into the modern day Atlantic ocean.  

Measuring over a mile thick to the north, the glacial boundary extended down to the Plymouth area.  As the ice sheet melted, a huge amount of sand was deposited over the bedrock beneath modern-day Plymouth.  Giant boulders of ice deposited by the receding glacier, as well as glacial 'plucking', created the many ponds in and around Plymouth and a large, inland glacial meltwater lake formed in what is now Cape Cod Bay.  The increasing water level in this lake burst through the natural banks surrounding it, and the resulting rush of water cut through the land as it flowed into what is now Buzzards Bay.  This naturally carved channel was the ideal spot to build the Cape Cod canal.

Scott's talk was extremely well-received and we thank him for delivering such an informative presentation.  Many thanks are due to Diane Peck for the huge amount of work she put into preparing the food and to David Peck for planning the event, procuring the food and wine and setting up the clubhouse for the evening.