Hoodoos Alberta: The Geology and Cultural Heritage of Writing-on-Stone and Drumheller Hoodoos

Tall rock pillars, resembling ancient stone guardians crowned with stone "hats", majestically rise from the ground in the captivating landscape of hoodoos in Alberta, Canada. These geological sculptures were shaped over millions of years, and they are part of Alberta’s badlands! But the hoodoos are so much more than just some cool-looking rocks! They tell a geological story of chemistry and survival against the forces of nature, while being deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of indigenous people.

In this post, inspired by my recent move to Canada, and my fascination with its natural wonders, we will learn what the hoodoos are, how they were formed, what led to their unique shapes, and we'll explore their cultural significance. Let's head into Alberta's badlands and explore the science and cultural heritage of these fairy chimneys.

What are hoodoos?

Rising from the floors of arid drainage basins and badlands, hoodoos are striking examples of rock erosion. Hoodoos are characterized by their tall, narrow, spire-like rock formations that often exhibit fascinating and unique features.

Known under various names, including fairy chimneys, tent rocks, or earth pyramids, these remarkable geological formations are found in arid regions throughout the world, some of them being in the province of Alberta, Canada. 

Alberta’s badlands are home to hoodoos spread across a large area, and in this post, we’re exploring two iconic locations—the Drumheller Hoodoos and those at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park.

How are hoodoos formed?

The process of hoodoo formation generally starts with a wide plateau composed of relatively soft rocks that are then covered by a layer of harder, more erosion-resistant rocks.

Over time, various weathering conditions such as wind, rain, and low temperatures lead to the erosion of the soft rock. Carbonic acid, produced when rainwater combines with carbon dioxide, creates cracks in the upper rock layers. Water can then trickle down these cracks, amplifying the erosion process of both the upper layers and the softer layers beneath.

Eventually, only a small, hard rock cap remains atop a thin column of softer rock, giving them their unique mushroom-like shape. But even these formations will not maintain their current shapes, as erosion is constantly reshaping the columns.

Formation of the Drumheller Hoodoos in Alberta

The Drumheller Hoodoos started forming 70 to 75 million years ago when layers of sediment were gradually deposited. They have a soft base that is made of dark brown marine shale, while the main ingredients of the pillars and cap rocks are sand and clay. A high calcite cement content of 40% of the cap rocks contributes to their higher resistance to erosion.

The Drumheller Hoodoos are eroding at a rate of one centimeter per year, which is faster than the erosion of any other geological structure, and this process will end with the collapse of the columns.

Formation of hoodoos in Alberta's Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park

The formation of the hoodoos at Writing-on-Stone began about 85 million years ago, when layers of sedimentary rock started accumulating at the edge of a vast inland sea. After the last Ice Age, powerful heavy flows of meltwater carved through the soft sandstone, sculpting the unique hoodoos we see today.

While some Writing-on-Stone hoodoos are capped with a harder layer of rock, their mushroom shape is less dramatic than the wide-capped hoodoos of Drumheller.

The hoodoos in Writing-on-Stone, similar to those found in Drumheller, are constantly being reshaped and eroded by the persistent, long-term effects of wind and water, processes that continue to alter their appearance over time.

Hoodoos around the world

Hoodoos can be found in various other regions across the globe, including the following sites:

• Cappadocia's famous fairy chimneys, made of volcanic tuff, have been carved over centuries into homes, churches, monasteries, castles, and even entire cities.

  
  

• Erosion of volcanic rock in Serbia created the fascinating site at Đavolja Varoš (Devil's Town), featuring 202 hoodoo rock formations, many crowned by protective boulders.

  
  

• Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park houses a vast array of red, orange, and white rock spires, forming the world's largest hoodoo concentration.

Have you visited any of these sites? You should definitely visit the ones in Alberta because the hoodoos are just one of the many stunning natural heritage wonders this breathtaking province has to offer. Alberta is home to pristine lakes that perfectly mirror the majestic Rocky Mountains, lush forests filled with a diverse array of wildlife, and expansive prairies stretching as far as the eye can see, all waiting for you to explore them. 

Can you tell how excited I am about living in Canada?! So many amazing places to explore! Stay tuned for future posts and videos about the incredible beauty and cultural richness of Canada.

The Cultural Heritage of the Hoodoos in Alberta's badlands

The cultural heritage of the Drumheller hoodoos

When it comes to cultural heritage, the Drumheller hoodoos are valued more for the natural beauty. Their natural heritage significance comes from their unique geology and striking appearance, being recognizable symbols of Alberta’s badlands, with high aesthetic, scientific and historical value.

The cultural heritage of the Writing-on-Stone hoodoos

Writing-on-Stone is one of Alberta’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, celebrated for its unique cultural heritage.

Writing-on-Stone, or Áísínai’pi, which is the Blackfoot word for “it is pictured, it is written” is one of the most important sacred places for the Blackfoot people.

The Blackfoot Nation is a confederation of closely connected indigenous groups inhabiting the northwestern plains of North America, across southern Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada, as well as northern Montana in the US. Their rich cultural heritage is preserved through ceremonies, oral traditions, and a strong connection to their ancestral lands.

In the cultural landscape of Writing-on-Stone, the hoodoos stand in a landscape abundant with indigenous rock art including pictographs, which are rock paintings and petroglyphs, which are rock carvings, some of these dating back to 4,500 years ago. The hoodoos here serve as silent witnesses to the sacred messages and traditions that are integral to the Blackfoot cultural heritage.

Because the site has been recognized for its Outstanding Universal Value, it preserves both its tangible and intangible heritage, safeguarding a rich legacy from the ancestors of these lands. Thus, the thousands of engravings and rock paintings, as well as the messages they contain, continue to thrive, making it possible for future generations to also appreciate and learn from them.

This area is protected from development by Alberta’s Provincial Parks Act, ensuring the respectful access and conservation of the land. The continued preservation of every culture's heritage is essential to each culture and their unique traditions enrich our shared global heritage, highlighting our shared humanity on this planet.