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Grand Manan Island, Hole in the Wall
Grand Manan Island has two distinct geological landscapes. Volcanic rocks from the early Triassic period make up the western portion of the island. The eastern side of the island is made up of Cambrian metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic rock formations. Most people live along the eastern shore among the coves, beaches, ledges and cliffs created by the erosion of the Cambrian rocks. Erosion of the rocks on Grand Manan has formed many unique features. One of the best known is the ‘Hole in the Wall’ located on the east side of the island in the Cambrian volcanic rocks of the Fish Head Gabbro. Geologic study on Grand Manan goes back to 1839 when New Brunswick’s first Provincial Geologist, Abraham Gesner, visited Grand Manan Island to conduct a geological survey.
