Sugarloaf Point SNA

10 Acres Located approximately 6.5 miles NE of Little Marais on State Hwy 61. Parking lot on lakeside. Cook County Twp 58N Rng 05W Sec 29 Type: Coniferous Forest ECS Subsection: North Shore Highlands

Description:

Sugarloaf Point contains pre-historic and modern beaches, along with a world-class example of thin, fluid basalt lava flows from the Precambrian age. The North Shore Volcanic Group erupted here during the mid-continent rift of North America about 1.1 billion years ago, and their lavas were never deformed or metamorphosed. The beach today is unique, composed of well-rounded boulders, cobbles, and pebbles of a wide variety of rock types, some of which originated in Canada and were brought down by the Pleistocene ice sheet. On the point at the east end of the site, wave action on the tilted lavas has produced excellent exposures of the surface and internal features of each lava flow. Their pipe amygdules (mineral fillings formed in the cavities of lava flows), and ropy, thin-bedded pahoehoe (glassy, smooth, undulating surface) can be clearly seen. Flows range from less than a meter to a few tens of meters thick. The range of eruptive styles and clear exposure of flow mechanisms make Sugarloaf Point geologically unique. The SNA is adjacent to the Sugar Loaf Interpretive Association property, from which an interpretive trail starts and passes through the SNA. An interpretive center and kiosks help visitors to learn more about this interesting place.

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