Dr. Grenville Draper, Professor of Geology at Florida International University, brought his department’s graduate students to learn some local geology. In addition to sinkholes and other karstic features (see photo), The Silver Bluff Escarpment, an exposed limestone ridge, is well exposed and accessible on the MBC property. This escarpment (part of the Miami Formation) is composed of oolitic limestone and shows evidence of past sea level changes.

Although committed to advancing research, conservation, and education in tropical botany, Montgomery Botanical Center is always willing to support the geological sciences. In truth, botany and geology are quite related, and the knowledge of our landsite obtained by this visit will inform future plantings.