Term
|
Definition
South Dakota
In the Pahasapa Limestone (Mississippian) – Paleozoic limestone
Limestone bed is part of the Black Hills dome – it dips at a significant angle on the east side
Cave itself formed more than 10 million years ago after the uplift of this dome
Water runs laterally downslope through the cave – not close to the ground surface (limited vertical entry of water)
Climate – generally arid |
|
|
Term
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park |
|
Definition
New Mexico
In the Tansill Formation and Capitan Limestone (reef) – Paleozoic limestone (Permian)
Located in the Guadalupe Mountains – uplift and karst development (cave formed) in the late Mesozoic to early Cenozoic
Lots of vertical joints formed during uplift of reef in the Laramide Orogeny (path for water percolation vertically)
Limestone of cave is exposed at the ground surface.
Climate – very wet in the past, today very arid |
|
|
Term
| Mammoth Cave National Park |
|
Definition
Kentucky
In the St Louis, Ste. Genevieve, and Girkin Limestones (Mississipplian) – Paleozoic age
These limestones are capped by insoluable rocks (including sandstones) – this cover is only breached at the surface in some places, producing a karst landscape
Water can percolate vertically into the cave system only in the "domes" – otherwise it moves laterally through the cave from points upstream
Limestone formations of cave dip at an angle, allowing water to flow through to the Green River.
Climate – generally wet |
|
|
Term
| Capitol Reef National Park |
|
Definition
Utah
Marine and terrestrial deposition - shallow marine, river, lakes, desert dunes cong5-90 myr)
Lithification through burial - limestones, sandstones, shales, limestones, gypsum, siltstones, and conglomerates from the Permian through Cretaceous (mostly Mesozoic) (225-90 myr)
Monocline (Water Pocket Fold) formation during Laramide Orogeny (Rocky Mountains formation)
Basaltic volcanic activity
Erosion - Colorado and Green Rivers |
|
|
Term
| Canyonlands National Park |
|
Definition
Utah
Salt accumulated in the Pennsylvanian (Paleozoic)
Permian through Cretaceous deposition of marine and terrestrial sediments (late Paleozoic through Mesozoic)
Sedimentary rocks form under pressure through burial – lithification
Rocky Mountains uplift nearby produces Upheaval Dome
During uplift, salt is exposed and dissolved causing the dome to collapse (meteor impact??)
High topography eroded to form arches, needles, pillars, and canyons
25 arches in Permian sandstones |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Utah
Deposition of sediments in marine and terrestrial environments, including salts in nearshore lagoons, beaches, desert dunes, rivers and lakes with coal, and marine offshore muds
Pennsylvanian to Cretaceous (Late Paleozoic through the Mesozoic) mudstones, sandstones (mostly), shales, and limestones with salts
Uplift from Laramide Orogeny (Rocky Mountains formation)
Underlying salt layer rises to disrupt rocks and form joint patterns
Chemical and mechanical weathering to form more than 700 arches!! |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Utah
Uplift of Colorado Plateau - formation of Rocky Mountains - Laramide Orogeny
Incised meanders develop due to tectonic uplift
Natural bridges form with water erosion of rock meander bends in Permian Cedar Mesa Sandstone |
|
|
Term
| Bryce Canyon National Park |
|
Definition
Cenozoic sedimentary rocks (sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, shale)
Lake sediments turned into soils
Claron Formation
Uplift (Laramide Orogeny) with some faulting, then weathering and erosion along joints to produce hoodoos and arches |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Mostly Mesozoic sedimentary rocks (sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, shale, limestone)
Navajo Sandstone comprises huge cliffs
Cross-bedding in sandstones
Uplift (Laramide Orogeny) then weathering and erosion (running water) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Insects preserved in amber
Mammoths frozen in the tundra of Siberia. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The hard parts of most animals are composed of calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate,
silica, or chitin. Many fossil shells and bones can be preserved with no recognizable
change in the original hard parts. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (or petrifaction) – Plants, bones, and shells which are originally porous may have their pore spaces filled by mineral matter carried in by groundwater. The material deposited in the pores may or may not be of the same composition as the original shell or bone. The petrified fossil is heavier than the original |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| In time, the volatile constituents (hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen) contained in the organic remains of plants and animals may be lost leaving a thin black film of carbon. Plants, fish, and arthropods are commonly preserved in this way. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The internal physical structure of some shells is changed by a rearrangement of the molecules as a result of solution and re-precipitation of different but chemically similar minerals. The resulting structure usually consists of a mosaic of interlocking crystals, which blur or destroy the original structure. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Some animals, such as certain protozoans and sponges secrete non-crystalline skeletons of hydrous silica (opal), which is unstable, and tend to crystallize into more stable forms of silica, such as chalcedony and quartz. As in recrystallization, the original shell structure is usually destroyed. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| This is the result of solution of a shell or skeleton coupled with simultaneous deposition of some other mineral substance in the voids formed. The original microstructure may or may not be preserved. Many kinds of minerals may replace others, such as the replacement of carbonate shells by silica, pyrite, or iron compounds. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The impression or hole made in the sediment by a buried shell removed by groundwater solution is a mold. If the mold is later filled by cement or sediment, a cast is formed. (Negative: mold, Positive: cast). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Tracks, Trails, Borings, and Burrows (or trace fossils) – The impressions and structures that record the activities of animals in the sediment. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Fossilized animal excrement, which can give an indication of the type of food eaten. |
|
|
Term
| Petrified Forest National Park |
|
Definition
Arizona
Mesozoic sedimentary rocks – sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, shales
Chinle Formation
Deposit of ancient rivers and forests - lithification – uplift and erosion |
|
|
Term
| Dinosaur National Monument |
|
Definition
Utah/Colorado
Mesozoic sedimentary rocks – sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, shales
Jurassic Morrison Formation
River floodplain environment – lithification - uplift and erosion |
|
|
Term
| Fossil Butte National Monument |
|
Definition
Wyoming
Cenozoic sedimentary rocks (limestones, shales, sandstones)
Green River Formation
Fossil lake deposits – lithification – uplift and erosion |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
marine deposition in Late Cretaceous(Pierre Shale) followed by sea level drop/uplift of land
terrestrial deposition of rivers and lakes (sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, and shales), these sediments were altered to soils before burial - some volcanic ash - Cenozoic mammals (White River Group) |
|
|
