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AMHERST, Mass.— Richard D. Little, professor of geology at Greenfield Community College, will present a second showing of “The Rise and Fall of Lake Hitchcock, New England’s Greatest Glacial Lake,” a new video film that he wrote, edited and produced, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. in Room 5 of the Pratt Museum at Amherst College. Admission is free, the public is invited and refreshments will be served afterwards in the Museum.
Glacial Lake Hitchcock is perhaps the most important story in the geologic and human history of the Connecticut Valley. Fourteen thousand years ago the lake extended 200 miles from central Connecticut into northern New Hampshire and Vermont, where the remnants of the last ice age still calved icebergs into the lake.
The film will delve into many of the mysteries of Lake Hitchcock. What created the dam, and what caused it to break? What color was the lake? Why is the shoreline tilted? What made the sand dunes on the lake floor, and what do they tell us about ancient climate conditions? How did Lake Hitchcock cause waterfalls that were and are so important for the river ecosystem and hydropower?
This new, fast-paced, 40-minute video, suitable for adults and children in middle school and older, documents the amazing stories of Lake Hitchcock. The film combines excellent views, including many air shots, diagrams, animations, a bit of humor plus interviews with researchers who have contributed to new insights into Lake Hichcock’s history and importance. Videos will be for sale with proceeds to support the program’s major sponsor, the Pioneer Valley Institute at Greenfield Community College. The Pratt Museum Website is at http://www.amherst.edu/~pratt .
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