One of the most thrilling projects with which I’ve ever been involved, this is a feature documentary about how the theory of plate tectonics found firm footing in Gros Morne National Park, in Western Newfoundland. I’ll be uploading the full documentary soon, but for the moment, please enjoy a short teaser by clicking on the play button.

UPDATE: Bones of the Earth wins Gold Medal at New York Festivals!

2011 marks the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada.

In Western Newfoundland, there’s a national park that holds the key to one of the most important scientific ideas of our times.

Gros Morne National Park is kind of like the Galápagos of geology – you might go to the Galápagos to experience first-hand the wonder of biology and the theory of evolution. In Gros Morne, you can experience first-hand the wonder of geology and the theory of plate tectonics.

Instead of looking out for Darwin’s finches and giant tortoises you’ll come face-to-face with vistas and rock formations that will take your breath away.

About a year ago, I was lucky enough to go to Gros Morne with my microphones to capture the echo of a continental dance that happened 500 million years ago.

My colleague (and great friend) Chris Brookes and I sought out that echo in the words of geologists, artists, musicians and poets, and in the sounds of the park itself.

We composed music based on the field recordings, too. Then we wove it all together, along with poetry by Don McKay and traditional Newfoundland music performed by Daniel Payne, Jean Hewson and Christina Smith.

The result is this documentary, Gros Morne: The Bones of the Earth.

This documentary was produced with the support of Parks Canada, and sometime this summer, a longer version, presented by Shelagh Rogers, will be available in Gros Morne National Park and online.

Here’s a list of the voices you’ll hear in the program:

Anita Best – traditional singer who lives in the Gros Morne area

Barb Daniell – painter, former artist-in-residence at Gros Morne NP

Rob Hingston – Geologist, Gros Morne NP

Anne Marceau – Park Interpreter, Gros Morne NP

Don McKay – Griffin-Prize-winning poet

Daniel Payne – musician from Cow Head, just outside Gros Morne NP

Robert Stevens – retired geologist who made important discoveries in Gros Morne in the 1960s and 1970s

Fred Vine – British geophysicist who made major contributions to the development of the theory of plate tectonics in the 1960s

Harold “Hank” Williams – late geologist who also made important discoveries in Gros Morne. Dr. Williams passed away in St John’s on September 28th, 2010.