Lee lives in one of those little white specks at the base of Porcupine Rim. His house is in the Moenkopi Formation.
Above the Moenkopi is the Chinle formation. The cliff at the top is called the Wingate formation and just at the very top of it is the Kayenta. FYI - most of the arches in the area area are formed from the Wingate and Kayenta.
The Moenkopi is widespread in the four-corners region and is sometimes called the Chocolate Cliffs. As Lee showed me around the grounds, I picked up a fist size rock. He called it quartz, but my fingernail left a scratch mark in its surface. I called it calcite, and later found out that gypsum (calcite) is common to this formation.
Looking eastward at the butte across the valley , the chocolate colored Moenkopi is easily seen. Above it is the Chinle, and the Wingate forms the Priest and Nuns at the top.
Okay, most of you are now bored with the previous information, and you have probably clicked off. Only the curious are still reading this stuff, but it is very interesting. With this knowledge you can drive for hours in canyon country and actually identify scenic formations, and those in your vehicle with either think you are crazy or they will think you're really smart. Ha.
The Moenkopi is widespread in the four-corners region and is sometimes called the Chocolate Cliffs. As Lee showed me around the grounds, I picked up a fist size rock. He called it quartz, but my fingernail left a scratch mark in its surface. I called it calcite, and later found out that gypsum (calcite) is common to this formation.
Looking eastward at the butte across the valley , the chocolate colored Moenkopi is easily seen. Above it is the Chinle, and the Wingate forms the Priest and Nuns at the top.
Okay, most of you are now bored with the previous information, and you have probably clicked off. Only the curious are still reading this stuff, but it is very interesting. With this knowledge you can drive for hours in canyon country and actually identify scenic formations, and those in your vehicle with either think you are crazy or they will think you're really smart. Ha.
Within walking distance, just south of Lee's place is Round Mountain, a very prominent volcanic plug. In the background is the totally igneous La Sal Mountain. The road you see actually loops around it and ends up in Moab.
I would venture to guess that most of the folks that live in Castle Valley don't know that they live in an anticline. A huge salt dome lurks way below the valley floor. Over millions of years it pushed upwards. The previously discussed formations slowly ruptured and eroded, and "viola" we now have a nice place to ride mountain bikes.
Okay now. Can you identify the Moenkopi, Chinle, and Wingate all by yourself?
Behind this pioneer house is what looks like a whitish cow pie. This particular outcropping is probably Cedar Mesa Sandstone, as it underlies the moenkopi.
The three massive arches of Natural Bridges National Monument are of the Cedar Mesa, and the Anasazi cliff dwellers south of Blanding found it suitable for their homes.
Thanks or visiting this posting, and remember that God lives. His creative love is manifested in all things.
The three massive arches of Natural Bridges National Monument are of the Cedar Mesa, and the Anasazi cliff dwellers south of Blanding found it suitable for their homes.
Thanks or visiting this posting, and remember that God lives. His creative love is manifested in all things.
No comments:
Post a Comment