Terra Nova is the part of Newfoundland province located on an island. Fittingly, the island is home to Terra Nova National Park of Canada (pc.gc.ca), near Glovertown, as well as Gros Morne National Park of Canada, adjacent to the village of Rocky Harbour. A handful of significant landforms are within these Terra Nova national parks.
Ancient Geological Formations
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Gros Morne, roughly translated as "big isolated hill," is a geological wonder that has helped scientists develop theories regarding the growth of mountain ranges and ocean crust. When the park was opened in 1973, officials declared it to be to geology "what the Galapagos are to biology." Ancient mountains and the exposed edge of a continental plate have been attracting tourists and geologists alike for decades as they probe the geological secrets of continental formation.
Newman and Clode Sounds
The deep, fjord-like inlets of Newman and Clode sounds are unique in that they showcase an area where the cold, north Atlantic ecosystem interacts directly with coastal boreal forest of the rugged Newfoundland shoreline. This confluence of ecosystems has drawn human populations to the area for more than 5,000 years. The first European settlement occurred during the 18th century, when the abundant timber of the forest was used to build and launch ships into the protected inlets.
Western Brook Pond
The same glaciation that created the fjords of Norway worked its geological magic in the area of Gros Morne National Park to create Western Brook Pond. Essentially a landlocked fjord separated from the Gulf of St. Lawrence by coastal lowlands, Western Brook Pond is a body of freshwater surrounded by spectacular cliffs that rebounded from glacial pressure when the ice melted. The "fjord" is fed by freshwater runoff that plunges down in stunning cascades from the plateau above.
Formed by sub-oceanic vulcanism, the pillow-shaped rocks of Gros Morne's "Tablelands" give the impression of a lunar landscape. The undulating barrens of rock and scrub are ancient plumes of lava that were forced up hundreds of feet through the ocean floor and ultimately cooled by seawater. The mineral-rich rocks of the area contain high levels of magnesium and iron, which inhibit the growth of most vegetation; however, certain Arctic alpine species have learned to adapt to the harsh environment and flourish on this moonscape.
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