1. A Closer Look at the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Lowlands

2. The Landforms of our region were basically formed by glaciers during the last ice age The Glacial period ended ~ 10 000 years ago How do we know it was a glacier? They Leave tracks! Glaciers create unique landforms from sediment and erosion patterns. They also carry rocks of all sizes for great distances eg. Many of the large rocks found around here came from the Canadian Shield

3. Glacier’s form when snow accumulates year after year without melting The snow compresses and forms ice When the ice is ~ 20 m thick it begins to slowly flow under the force of its own weight As the ice moves it scraps the land and picks up rocks and sediment

4. The Great Lakes started to form 14 500 years agoThe Great Lakes started to form 14 500 years ago 14 000 years ago the glaciers started to melt and retreat north14 000 years ago the glaciers started to melt and retreat north As they retreated they scraped giant low spots in the land and melted ice filled in the holesAs they retreated they scraped giant low spots in the land and melted ice filled in the holes 11 000 years ago Lake Superior, Michigan and Huron were all one lake11 000 years ago Lake Superior, Michigan and Huron were all one lake By 6000-4000 years ago all of the lakes had formedBy 6000-4000 years ago all of the lakes had formed

7. Many areas of the Great Lakes Lowland have very fertile soil This is great for growing crops Other areas are dominated by clay soil (especially lambton county)

8. The major landform feature of the Great Lakes Lowlands is the Niagara Escarpment This is a rocky ridge that runs from Niagara Falls to Manitoulin Island

9. The Niagara Escarpment