Miscellaneous

Why is the Big Rock important?

Why is the Big Rock important?

The “Big Rock” Erratic is geologically significant as one of the largest glacial erratics in North America. It is further significant as a site of tremendous spiritual importance to the region’s First Nations people. Finally, the “Big Rock” is significant as an important site of Aboriginal rock art.

Why is Okotoks Big Rock sacred?

The native Blackfoot people considered the out-of-place rock sacred. They called it Okotoks, which means Big Rock. They had a legend that the Creator Napi had offered his robe to the rock but Napi took it back when the weather turned cold and the Creator had a chill. The rock chased Him.

Are you allowed to climb the Big Rock in Okotoks?

Big Rock became a designated provincial historic resource and, luckily for climbers, the rock remained open for climbing provided there was no physical damage done.

Where did the Okotoks Erratic come from?

Alberta is the site of many natural wonders and Okotoks Erratic is one such wonder that “ran” from the present-day site of Jasper National Park to 55 km south of Calgary. A glacial erratic is any rock that was once transported by a moving and now-melted glacier.

How large is the Okotoks?

Okotoks
• MLA RJ Sigurdson
Area (2016)
• Land 19.63 km2 (7.58 sq mi)
Elevation 1,051 m (3,448 ft)

What is the Borden number of the Okotoks Erratic?

EePm-3
For example, another famous site in Alberta, the Okotoks Erratic or Big Rock, is known by Borden number EePm-3.

Why is the Okotoks Erratic important?

The Okotoks Erratic is an important location for many of the First Nation groups in the area, but is often associated with the Blackfoot First Nations and a story of Napi, the supernatural trickster, explaining how the rock got to its current resting place and why the rock is split down the middle.

Where is erratic located?

Erratic Rock State Natural Site
Location Yamhill County, OregonUSA
Nearest city McMinnville
Coordinates 45°08′24″N 123°17′35″WCoordinates: 45°08′24″N 123°17′35″W
Area 4.4 acres (2 ha)

Where do giant boulders come from?

The water would freeze and expand, causing the rocks to crack. This process is known as mechanical weathering. The downward slope of the region combined with the melting permafrost underneath resulted in the movement of the rocks downward, or mass wasting, to create Boulder Field.

What is “the Big Rock” in Okotoks?

Posted by Justin Havre on Wednesday, May 13th, 2015 at 10:19am. Have you heard of “The Big Rock” in Okotoks? It’s an enormous glacial rock or “erratic,” meaning it was transported far away from its origin by glacial ice.

What is Okotoks Erratic?

It’s a glacial erratic – a rock transported far from its place of origin by glacial ice thousands of years ago. The Okotoks Erratic, also known as “the Big Rock” is the world’s largest known glacial erratic. In fact, the name of the town – Okotoks – is itself derived from the word “ohkotok” which means “rock” in the Blackfoot language.

What is the Big Rock of Alberta?

Okotoks Erratic: The Big Rock of Alberta. About 7 km west of the town of Okotoks in Alberta, in Canada, on the flat prairie lies a massive piece of rock 41 meters long, 18 meters wide and 9 meters high, and weighs 16,500 tons. It’s a glacial erratic – a rock transported far from its place of origin by glacial ice thousands of years ago.

Where is the “Big Rock”?

The “Big Rock” Erratic is a prominent massive glacial erratic split into two rocks located approximately 135 meters off Highway 7, 10 kilometres southwest of Okotoks, Alberta.