Stop1:
Varved Clays of Glacial Lake Penticton
 

Exposed Portion of Varved Clay Deposits

From our motel we will follow Benvoulin Road south and then follow K.L.O. Road east past the Mission Creek bridge.

The varved clay deposits will be exposed on the north side of the road 1 km from Benvoulin Road.  These are superb examples of cyclical deposits common to glacial lakes.  During the summer, the light colored layers were deposited during periods of high runoff.  This is the reason for their greater thickness as compared to the darker layers.  The thin dark bands were deposited in the winter as runoff was lower with less silt being transported and deposited.  The pattern of one single year's deposition is shown in one pair of light and dark strata.

Participants should try to determine which layers correspond to what season.  They need to provide justification for their hypotheses.

Light and Dark Bands show a Cyclical Pattern
 

Closeup View of the Banding