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Geologists tour Harvey structures
Posted: 09.27.2011 at 8:45 PM Updated: 09.28.2011 at 4:15 AM
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They say they're the best formations in the area

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HARVEY -- Evidence of prehistoric and ancient mountains may be closer and even more impressive than you think.  Marquette has made its dent on the geological map...one that dates back nearly two billion years.

You've probably passed the rocks in the Harvey Quarry more than once without giving them much thought.  However, some are traveling from as a far as downstate to get a closer look at what they call a "geological wonderland."

"It's like going home, geologically speaking," says tour group member Leonard Espinosa.

The geologists on the Marquette Geology Tour say they're walls that "can talk," and they're sharing quite a history.

"Some people say they were as high as the Himalayas," Espinosa said.  "I don't know if we can prove that or not, but they weren't insignificant."

Undergrads from various Michigan schools, professors and representatives from the geological community are touring the rocks and taking a peek at the past, inspecting their features up-close.

Scratches and grooves were carved by glaciers about two miles thick sometime in the past 2.5 million years.

What makes these Harvey structure unique is its accessibility.  Its location right off the highway puts history right at the fingertips of the explorers.

"I can't go into my backyard and see these things, they're new to me," says tour member and Michigan Tech student Alexandria Guth.

If you're curious about what exactly these rocks mean, geologists recommend picking up a Lake Superior geological history book at your local bookstore.

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