A glacial erratic is a rock carried and transported by glaciers millions of years ago. When the glaciers melted and receded, it left behind the rocks sticking out like sore thumbs, and at the most oddest of places. Glacial erratics are often carried over from distances of hundreds of kilometers, because of which they are almost always different from the type of rocks native to the region. This makes them easy to spot, but not unless you are a geologist. For most observers, a glacial erratic looks like any other regular boulder.
Photographer Fritz Hoffmann isn’t a geologist but he is a keen observer. Once when scanning the New England landscape while driving along in the winter, Hoffman noticed a repetitive quality in the large rocks on the land. “With the leaves off, I could see them tucked into the woods. They were definitely boulders and not rock outcrops,” said Hoffman. “That piqued my curiosity and it was then that I began to learn what a glacial erratic is.”
The “aha” moment came as we were driving to Cape Cod one weekend and passed the exit to Plymouth, MA. I had already written my proposal but needed a strong hook to lead with. I made a u-turn and found the nearest tourist center. I raced in there with one question. Is Plymouth Rock a glacial erratic? The woman behind the counter replied, “A glacier moved it here if that is what you mean” … Once I made the connection of glacial erratics to rocks like Plymouth Rock, Glen Rock and the Rollstone Boulder, I knew I had my story and I became hooked on erratics.
Fritz Hoffmann’s photo-story about glacial erratic -
Pet Rocks – came out in the March, 2012 National Geographic magazine. Here are some spectacular pictures of inconspicuous rocks with dramatic travel stories.
Needs a cuddle: Taken in March last year, this picture shows big fluffy pet that is looking for love
