Purgatory Conglomerate Explained

Purgatory Conglomerate should not be confused with Purgatory Chasm.

Purgatory Conglomerate
Type:	Formation
Age:	Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian)
Prilithology:	"near metamorphic" conglomerate
Namedfor:	Purgatory, Middletown, Newport, RI
Region:	New England (Rhode Island)
Country:	United States
Unitof:	Narragansett Bay Group Informal: Rhode Island Group (RI)

Dating to the Carboniferous period, the Purgatory Conglomerate is a geologic formation in Rhode Island.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

Purgatory Chasm

Purgatory Chasm, at the intersection of Tuckerman Avenue and Purgatory Road in Middletown (often mis-identified as being in Newport), is a narrow cleft on the east side of Easton Point which splits the Purgatory Conglomerate in a dramatic fashion.^{[7] [8]} The chasm is 120 feet long, 10 feet wide at the top, and over 150 feet deep.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Geologic Unit: Purgatory . Geolex — Significant Publications . National Geologic Database . . 2021-03-26 .
2. Web site: August 29, 2016 Chris Watson . August 29, 2016 . KVH Tackles Difficult Problems – Even Coastal Pollution Near its RI Headquarters . Company . KVH Mobile World . 2021-03-27 . Scientists are intrigued by the formation. Geologists cite the significance of Purgatory Chasm – Purgatory Conglomerate is their name for it – as an important example of erosion due to wave action and as an illustration of rock compression millions of years ago. .
3. S Mosher . Pressure-solution deformation of the purgatory conglomerate, rhode island (u.s.a.): quantification of volume change, real strains and sedimentary shape factor . 9 . 2 . Journal of Structural Geology . 1987 . 221–232 . 10.1016/0191-8141(87)90027-7 . 2021-03-27 . Pressure solution has caused substantial volume redistribution within the Purgatory Conglomerate from Rhode Island. .
4. Yvette D. Kuiper, Boston College . Deformation Mechanisms and History of the Purgatory Conglomerate, Rhode Island . 54th . 47487–GB8 . Annual Report on Research . ACS Petroleum Research Fund . 2021-03-27 . The Purgatory Conglomerate of Rhode Island experienced two generations of Alleghanian folding, and subsequent local shearing. .
5. Web site: Pebbles of Purgatory Chasm . Events . Audubon Society of Rhode Island . 2021-03-27 . Purgatory Chasm in Newport cuts into one of Rhode Island’s most spectacular rock formations: the Purgatory conglomerate. .
6. McPherren, Eric D.; Kuiper, Yvette D. . The effects of Dissolution-Precipitation Creep on quartz fabrics within the Purgatory Conglomerate, Rhode Island . 51. 105-117 . . June 2013 . 10.1016/j.jsg.2013.03.002 . 2013JSG....51..105M . 2021-03-27 .
7. Book: Berman . Eleanor . DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: New England . 2010 . Penguin . 0756666724 . 181 . 22 April 2024.
8. Web site: Pebbles of Purgatory Chasm - Newport . Audubon Society of Rhode Island . Audubon Society of Rhode Island . 22 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130609093814/http://asri.doubleknot.com/event/1306872 . 9 June 2013 . Rhode Island . Purgatory Chasm in Newport cuts into one of Rhode Island’s most spectacular rock formations: the Purgatory conglomerate.
9. Web site: Clunan . Natalie . The Shortest Hike In Rhode Island Leads To The Most Amazing Natural Wonder . Only in Your State . 22 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926133845/https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/rhode-island/purgatory-chasm-ri/ . 26 September 2023 . 23 July 2018.