Wild and Rocky

 shore
Cape Breton Island is supposed to have originated as an island off Africa a billion years ago. The bedrock core of the highlands dates back to this period. A major uplift of the highlands in Cape Breton happened about the same time that the Appalachian Mountains were formed, around 300 million years ago.

Formations such as U-shaped and hanging valleys were formed during the latest glacial period. Glacial till deposits cover a large part of the highlands.

The Skyline Trail provides a panoramic view of the western edge of the Cape Breton Highlands, which looks out towards the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Often, cloud banks roll up and over the trail. The western coast is characterized by steep cliffs and rocky beaches.

The Atlantic coast on the east tends towards low headlands and sandy beaches.

Rivers, Lakes & Ponds

[Beulach Ban Falls] Interior lakes and rivers tend to be acidic and tea-coloured. Waterfalls appear when streams drop from higher levels of the plateau.

Barachois ponds are tidal pools formed when a sandbar builds up at the border between a stream and the ocean. See Glossary: Natural Museum of Nova Scotia.

The Margaree River is a Canadian Heritage River.

Variations in Climate and Vegetation

Because of elevation and the cold Labrador current, the highlands experience colder temperatures than the rest of Nova Scotia. In the high plateaus, vegetation more typical of the boreal forest and even the edge of the arctic tundra (or taiga) can be found.

The Suêtes are strong south-easterly winds encountered in the western coastal highlands of Cape Breton.

 Relief map
Source: Natural Resources Canada

Back to Cape Breton Main Page

[home]