Timpanogos Cave:
Starting from the bottom of the cave, one will notice the loose pile of broken and discarded rocks. This is the first example of erosion. As “mass wasting” as they call it occurs, rocks travel to the Talus Slope by gravity as they tumble from the north wall of the American Fork. The area is slightly dangerous for visitors because of the unexpected rocks that could potentially hit something or someone. The park has actually mapped off certain areas that visitors should avoid because of the high probability of being hit with falling debris (“Timpanogos”).
Along the side of Timpanogos Cave, it is easy to see the “mass wasting” that is present. There is a large mass of rack and debris that has slid from the top portion of the mountain down near the bottom. The photograph also depicts the vegetation that is found near and along the mass wasting. Vegetation is not found near the chute of the mass wasting. However, it grows in mass quantities near the bottommost. The reasoning for the lack of plants near the top of the chute is because of the lack of stability (“Timpanogos”). Near the lowermost portion, plants grow in large quantities because of the constant water supply and nonexistence of geographical movement. The reasoning for the abundance of water is due to how well rocks and soil can retain water. The water seeps through the mass wasting and from gravities pull, slowly migrates down the hillside until it accumulates at the bottom (“Timpanogos”).
Physical organic weathering is very evident on the entire mountain. Plants have adapted themselves to the rocky, water lacking, and harsh environment by extending their roots into rocks, where the water has accumulated (“Timpanogos”). As the plant’s roots reach deeper an...
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...of the ceiling, rather then the bottom like stalagmites. The cave system as a whole has 43 types of formations that grow (“Timpanogos”). It is at the utmost consideration to have each of the fragile structures protected by the park.
The cavers, geologists, and the national park service is all working together in order to preserve the caves for future generations (“Timpanogos”). Strict rules have been put into effect to reserve the cave. The rules consist of no eating, drinking, avoid bumping or touching the formations, and stay on the guided tour.
Certain features of past tours such as being able to touch the salt and peppershakers stalagmites have now been discontinued (“Timpanogos”). The reasoning for this is because the stalagmites have actually stopped growing because the oils from the human hands prevent the mineral rich water from attaching the stalagmite.
Both Mystery and Niagara Cave are made of limestone. Limestone is formed when areas that used to be covered with water, would have contained shelled animals and other organisms. When the animals died, their bodies along with waste matter from other organisms, floated down to the bottom of the water. Over time, it was compressed and formed limestone. Caves are usually made of limestone because it is easily carved out by water. This is the case for Mystery and Niagara
Canyonlands National Park, immense amounts of wilderness and rock, is located at the heart of the Colorado Plateau (Canyonlands National Park-Geology). Millions of years have formed specific features to the rock and surrounding wilderness that make it so special. Throughout the park, you will find that the sedimentary rock has formed many features such as hundreds of colorful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches, and spires. The Green and Colorado rivers have played a major role in the formation of many of these features. These rivers cut through the park forming two massive canyons. This further splits the park into three distinct zones. “Island in the Sky” sits to the north while “The Maze” sits off to the west and “The Needles” to the east (Canyonlands National Park Information Guide). “Island in the Sky” serves as Canyonlands’ observation tower; it allows tourists to see overwhelming vistas of the rest of the land. “The Maze,” as hinted at by the name has been described as a “30 square mile puzzle in sandstone” (NPS: Nature & Science» Geology Resources Division). This section of the park often ranks as one of the most remote and inaccessible areas of the United States. Lastly, “The Needles” is known for its diversity in rock features. Throughout this land, features such as sculptured rock spires, arches, canyons, grabens, and potholes can be seen. The varying names hint at the diversity of the land as a whole. As said by The National Park Service’s Geology Resources Division, “Traces of the Anasazi can be found in almost every canyon in the Needles. Many of their stone and mud dwellings and storehouses are remarkably well-preserved. Tower Ruins, built high on a cliff ledge in a side canyon of Horse Canyon, is an outstanding ex...
The geology, its history, and the presence of past civilizations contribute to much of the significance of Mesa Verde National Park. The interconnectedness of these aspects should also be noted. If not for the weathering processes and changes in sea level this formation would not exist. Without it, the ancient people would not have been able to reside within Mesa Verde. This National Park now serves as a tool to help conserve the remains of these past civilizations as well as to help educate today’s society on the significance behind this astonishing geologic
Another major task for the conservationists and the preservers was that of protecting the site from vandalism by the public, increased humidity in the site due to body heat and erosion/decay of the site because of increased human presence and traffic. Regrettably since the opening of the site for the public in 2007 after being closed for 85 years there has been severe damage by human intervention.
Carlsbad Caverns has a system of caves that bats come out of at night in a tornado formation. The parks caverns are made of limestone and little things like fumes and smoke can damage the limestone permanently. Carlsbad Caverns has 117 open caverns and many unexplored caverns deep within the earth. Carlsbad Caverns has a large room called the big room that is 4000 feet long and 255 feet tall at the tallest point.
There are currently about 50,000 Tarahumara living in the Sierra Madre Occidental in northwestern Mexico. They live in small isolated clusters with most the population concentrated in the Barranca del Cobre, or the Copper Canyon. The Tarahumara indians are part of the Uto-Aztecan indian lineage and are closely related to the Apaches of the Southwestern United States. The area of Northwest Mexico that the Tarahumara lives in is very rugged and unforgiving. The Barranca del Cobre is a chain of five very deep canyons surrounded by very tall mountains that reach almost a mile and a half above sea level. Three of the five canyons are deeper than the Grand Canyon of the United States. The area is different though because it receives much more rainfall and is covered with more vegetation. The terrain is very rugged, so much as to lead to the fact that the area has never been thoroughly mapped or explored (Lutz 66). The area is one of th e coldest in Mexico and soil conditions are very poor. It is because of this that the Tarahumara are semi-nomadic and are cave dwellers for part of the year.
It was another site set up by the park just a few hundred feet below the vegetation line. In this area you could clearly see where the line of vegetation stopped, and turned into a rocky landscape. From this spot we went on our second hiking trail across a rocky and snow covered mountain top. It was incredibly strange to be walking in about six inches of snow in the middle of July. The temperature had dropped dramatically from when we were at the base of the mountains it was about a twenty degree difference in only twenty minutes of driving. After getting back to the car we were back on the road and we were heading to the highest point in the
Before entering the cave, our guide pointed out the rules. The cenotes are sacred to the Mayans, so there are strict rules on what not to touch for that reason and for environmental and safety reasons. We first walked to the Shaman’s hut where we gathered around for Shaman’s blessing. Carolina told us that there are a few entrances to the cave. As we descended, our guide began unveiling the awe-inspiring facts about the secret river, and the mystical tales of the Mayan underworld. We started walking on dry uneven surface with our guide literally highlighting the beautiful rock formations with her flashlight, and explaining the difference between the stalactites and stalagmites and other natural formations that walled the cave. A few yards later we were tramping along the pool of crystal clear water. The water was knee-deep. We continued to wade through the pool with uneven surface. As we went farther, the water rose thigh deep with rocks rising from the sand, rubbing the surface to give us a false impression of shallowness. We navigated through tight area or narrow passage way with low hanging stalactites, and tried to avoid stepping into a rock or 12-inch
Because the park shifts south at an angle, the conditions are ideal for alcove formation. These alcoves were once used as cliff dwellings by the Anasazi Indians. Alcoves are formed in the Cliff House Sandstone formations in the canyons. This formation in particular is the youngest bedrock of the Mesa Verde. The formation is about 400 feet in thickness and forms the bold, orange cliffs in the canyons. (Harris et al. 99) The canyons consist of porous sandstone formations and shale formations. When wet, the sandstone holds water and the walls to turn into a cement. Over time the cement dries, the sandstone freezes and expands in the winter thus causing the sandstone to chip out hollow areas in the canyon walls. Because the Shale formation is not permeable like the sandstone, it keeps water pooled in a certain area and this determines how shallow or deep the alcoves are formed. This is also how the springs are formed in the area. The process of alcove formation has slowed down over time. The wetness of the Cliff House formations and humid climate around canyon walls is what allowed the alcoves to be produced
... of the Tuscan area used the Saguaro cactus for framework in the walls of their homes. The Saguaro ribs were used to collect the fruit that grew high up on the plant. The Hohokam people used the sweet fruits from the cacti for wine in ceremonies, jellies, and candies. They used the leftover seeds for chicken feed. Humans built houses in the Tuscan area, and it caused the Saguaro desert a large amount of it’s habitat. Now that us humans don’t have as much land to destroy, this national park is becoming safer by the day.
With over two hundred miles of trails to travel, it is easy to see the tranquility of this distinguished place, and why so many noble men gave their lives protecting it. From tents to pull-through, private or public, and campgrounds there are plenty of options and places for you to park your camper or pitch your tent. Only five miles from the national park, Jackson Hole offers several nice hotels. Grand Teton National Park can be enjoyed by everyone with its forty-two mile scenic loop drive. If you do not want to drive, you can sign up for a scenic float trip that takes you straight through the heart of this magnificent mountain range on the Snake River. Another option you have to viewing the serenity of this place is through a scenic cruise on Jenny Lake. On this cruise you would spend approximately 1 hour learning about the history and geolo...
The scientists enjoyed their last moments in the cave because this could be the last time they would every see the cave. Scientist claim that we need to adapt to other Thurman groups and communicate about the memories. They also state that invention of communication is important because this is the best way for transferring communication. Sometime later, the largest power plant in France is 29 miles away from the cave, which creates a tropical biosphere. The greenhouses there are expanding and even have crocodiles to cool the reactor. Werner Herzog end the documentary with, "Are we today the crocodiles that look back to an abyss of time when we see paintings in a cave"?
To awaken the unconsciousness one must experience reality and develop new senses. The cave overall incorporates the idea of a movie theatre, where individuals watch life unfold on a screen, with no knowledge or desire to want to know who is playing the movie; only to sit in the darkness and watch the screen. Many of us take what they see in the movie as reality, not distinguishing between, story and fantasy; soon they begin to behave like the characters in the movie. For instance the twil...
Hydraulic Action, when waves hit the cliff, air is forced into cracks, and then as the wave retreats this air expands explosively. Over time the cracks enlarge, weakening the base of the cliff causing erosion.
As a result of this process, the mine sites "do not develop normal soil structure or support the establishment of a plant cover". Many mine sites have...