EDUCATIONAL BROCHURE ON THE GEOLOGY OF PUNDERSON STATE PARK, GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Many people know the human history of Punderson State Park and their lakes, but few know about the geology that shaped the park into what it is today. To better understand the unique geology that produced the natural lakes of the park, research was conducted in the field to acquire surficial geology information, as well as utilizing well logs to better define the subsurface geology. Arcmap was used to produce a detailed geologic map and MicroDEM was used to obtain high quality DEM images for surface geomorphology. ArcScene and Adobe Illustrator were used to produce 3D cross sectional views of the park. Results of our study show that the park is covered with glacial till and outwash deposits of variable thickness and composition overlying the Pennsylvanian Sharon Conglomerate and Mississippian Cuyahoga Formation. The most unique geologic features of the park are kettle lakes located within thick sand and gravel kame deposits found in the eastern area of the park. The western area of the park is characterized by thinner till deposits with a large scattering of erratics over the surface. Punderson State Park can be viewed as a classic example of kame and kettle topography.

The goal of our research is to produce an informational brochure that will educate visitors on the geology of this unique park. It will describe, in text and pictorial views, the geologic history of the bedrock stratigraphy, glacial erosion and deposition, kettle lake formation, and the local economic and historical impacts produced by these features. It will have a geologic time scale with descriptions as to how and when these geologic features were created in order to educate visitors as to the geologic time perspective when this area was once a shallow sea, fluvial flood plain, and glacial landscape. This brochure will be in terms and descriptions for the non-geologist to enjoy the natural beauty of the present landscape.