SHELBURNE FALLS — Local geologist and educator Richard Little will reveal geologic events in the rocks and landscape of Franklin County, which he feels is the world’s best place to study geology, during a talk hosted by the Arms Library and Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club.
The free program, called “Magnificent, Mysterious, Deadly,” will be held at the Shelburne-Buckland Community Center, located at 53 Main St., at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Attendees will learn about the power of geologic processes that have created many features of the region, some of which are easily visible, while some are hidden.
“We are all here in the valley due to geology,” Little, a professor emeritus at Greenfield Community College, said via email. “Not only do we have the river (fish and transportation) and floodplain soils (food), but waterfalls for hydropower (historic and current industry).”
One of the geological mysteries he will discuss, he said, is that Shelburne Falls’ Glacial Potholes are definitely not glacial. Other questions to be discussed include, “How did the more than 3,100-foot-deep holes in the Connecticut River bed between Barton Cove and the French King Bridge form?” and “How did the Connecticut River erode through the Holyoke Range?”
“A similar question relates to the Deerfield River and the Pocumtuck Range basalt ridge,” Little continued. “Why does the Deerfield flow north and face upstream into the south-flowing Connecticut River? The Connecticut River flowed into the Greenfield Meadows. How did this happen?”
Regarding the inclusion of “Deadly” in the program title, Little said this relates to floods, landslides, chemical pollution from local mining, “not linked to human deaths, as far as (he) can tell,” and some other interesting fatal geology-related issues.
“I think people will learn a lot about our local geology,” Little said.
Arms Library Director Laurie Wheeler said she still remembers a class she took with Little when she was student at GCC. The library recently hosted an open house to discuss its five-year strategic plan, which collected many requests from residents interested in more environmental and nature-based education programs. A fan of geology, rocks and the sciences herself, Wheeler said she enjoys bringing programs about environmental and earth sciences to the library. Partnering with the Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club, the in-person discussion will be held in the larger Shelburne-Buckland Community Center.
Part of the conversation will teach attendees about the ancient Glacial Lake Hitchcock. Wheeler noted the Arms Library possesses one of the original copies of a book about the discovery and study of the glacier, written by Edward Hitchcock of the family for whom the glacier is named.
There will be a Women’s Club business meeting at 6:30 p.m., and the program will begin shortly after 7 p.m. There will be an opportunity to visit with members, guests and Little, with refreshments provided, after the program.
Additionally, before and after the program, attendees can bring rocks for identification and discussion. Little will also sell copies of his two books.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.