On Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m., the Rockport Public Library will host geologist D. Brooks McKinney, Ph.D., for a presentation entitled, “Glacial Erratics: Strange Rocks from Stranger Times.” The classic glacial erratic has a rock type unlike the bedrock of the area in which it was deposited — an exotic "stranger," according to an RPL news release.

 

"This program will shed light on these natural curiosities with a remarkable history," said the news release.

 

McKinney will sketch out a bit of Maine's history of glaciation; review how erratics are eroded, transported, and deposited; and explore the role that erratics played as evidence in early thinking about the existence of prehistoric ice ages. (A bit of glacial erratic trivia might sneak in as well.)

 

D. Brooks McKinney, Ph.D., is Emeritus Professor of Geoscience at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. Following his retirement in 2018, McKinney and his wife moved to Belfast, Maine, where they are now year-round residents. McKinney professes that he, “still enjoys looking at rocks and fervently believes that librarians are among the finest people on the planet.”

 

This free event is designed to complement the exhibit “What the Glaciers Left Behind,” featuring photography by Judy O’Dell and book art by Sandy Weisman — on display in the Rockport Library’s Marine Room, through Oct. 29.

 

More information at rockportlibrary.net.