The Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park Essay Example

Over the years, In Gros Morne National Park, there have been many aspects that draw people to this small area on the western side of Newfoundland. One attraction that has been grasping the attention of many tourists and scientists is the ground-breaking plateau found in Gros Morne - the Tablelands. These unique mountains “have long been an accessible scenic and scientific attraction since 1972” (Brookes, 2008). But why are these rare formations such an attraction to the public? There is a juxtaposition between how the Tablelands is attractive to tourists and scientists. This contrast is apparent through geology, biodiversity, and opportunity. Tourists love the simplicity of their barren appearance, the little bit of life found around the formations, and the physical challenge it can bring. Scientists love how they can study the structure of the Tablelands, see how life and what life can survive around them, and the scientific opportunity it brings. The Tablelands may have a more significant impact on scientists than the explores and tourists that come around. However, it is still a profound impact, nonetheless.

Geological Attraction

The Tablelands is a geological wonder to both tourists and scientists. Tourists do not travel to the Tablelands to notice the little details that make up their unique nature. The tourism culture reflects on the experience of seeing the beautiful view of the aesthetic mountains and uploading the pictures they take to social media. “When people come and see, in terms of the quality of the mountains, the snow, the terrain, people are just blown away” (Gros Morne tourism industry, 2019).

On the other hand, scientists live to study and understand every little detail about the Tablelands and what they are. The Tablelands are a significant world example and proof of many scientific studies. The Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park "tells a story of plate tectonics; the landscape depicts a time when North America and African plates collided" (Broadhurst, Fortin, Hollingshurst, Smyth, 2020). Scientists have also uncovered the geological evolution of this mountain range by discovering that the rocks that make up the Tablelands resemble the upper earth's mantle, and its crust resembles the crust of the ocean's floor. (Claudino-Sales, 2019). It is no wonder why many "geologists from all over the world come to see this prime example of the exposed mantle" (Broadhurst, Fortin, Hollingshurst, Smyth, 2020).

The Attraction to Life

The Tablelands may be known best for their physical appearance and molecular makeup; tourists and scientists are also fascinated by the biodiversity found on and around the Tablelands. Tourists love seeing the desert-like plants that grow around the land and the animals like moose that roam around the fields beneath the Tablelands. 

While tourists are in awe of the fantastic flora and fauna, scientists are curious about the habitable state of the Tablelands and how only some plants grow near the landscape. Many scientists and even NASA researchers have since studied the soil and rocks that make up the Tablelands. They compare the ground found on the mountains to resemble the dirt found on mars (Broadhurst, Fortin, Hollingshurst, Smyth, 2020). The soil is said to have very high levels of magnesium, little nutrients, and a very high toxicity percentage of nickel, so it is expected that not a lot of life can grow on the Tablelands (Osborn, Spooner, Gosse, & Clark, 2007). However, even though the Tablelands are, for the most part, barren and almost inhabitable to plant life, some plants can still grow there. Scientists have discovered that the only plants that can grow there are carnivorous because they can get the nutrients they need from catching insects (McCormick, 2020). The most common plant around the Tablelands would be Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial flower, the pitcher plant. 

The Attraction for Opportunity 

Tourists may love the experience of seeing the sunsets over the flat mountains or the wildflowers that grow around. Still, most tourists love engaging physical activity of hiking the Tablelands. The Gros Morne National Park has designed a hiking trail for said tourists to have an opportunity to travel upon it. Tourists have said that “this trail provides an up-close and intimate experience with this weird and wonderful geological feature” (Broadhurst, Fortin, Hollingshurst, Smyth, 2020).