Different rock types, different landforms

Map of Victoria and Strait of Georgia



Different types of rocks respond to weathering and erosion in different ways.
Different types of rocks respond to weathering and erosion in different ways.
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The coincidence of inter-layered formations of shale and sandstone/conglomerate, their northwesterly aligned folded structure, the eroding power of southeasterly moving glacial ice and the modern southeasterly or northwesterly directed wind-driven waves and storm patterns have resulted in the prominent northwesterly-southeasterly alignment of the Gulf Islands. Throughout these beautiful islands the prominent headlands and high ridges are formed from comparatively erosion-resistant sandstone/conglomerate whereas the narrow bays and valleys are sculpted from softer and more easily eroded shale.