Geology Question of the Week

frethack · « **Reply #120 on:** 05/01/2009 01:23:21 »

Ill give it a go this time. An easy one to begin.

How is this structure formed? (bonus points if you get the name, location)

Bass · « **Reply #121 on:** 05/01/2009 03:26:56 »

(Mumble t%ww@@beedle))^^ soft rockers grumble)

Is that bedrock (as in "in place")?

frethack · « **Reply #122 on:** 05/01/2009 03:45:59 »

Youre on the right track...nope...not bedrock.

JimBob · « **Reply #123 on:** 05/01/2009 13:09:06 »

Formed by karsting. I have seen similar formations in Central Texas but this could be a scene from any temperate karsted region in the world.

frethack · « **Reply #124 on:** 05/01/2009 17:01:48 »

Nope...not karsting. The slump in the center looks like it may have been, but no dice!

Bass · « **Reply #125 on:** 05/01/2009 21:05:14 »

Glacial erratic. Looks like something from Canadian Rockies- so my guess would be somewhere in Alberta? I seem to vaguely remember a whole train of similar erratics that stretched all the way to eastern Montana

frethack · « **Reply #126 on:** 05/01/2009 21:24:45 »

Glacial erratic in Alberta it is!

And, yes, it is part of the Foothills Erratics train, this being the largest in N America I believe. Its the Okotoks Erratic in Alberta, and is composed of quartzite from the Jasper area in the Canadian Rockies.

JimBob · « **Reply #127 on:** 09/01/2009 17:16:45 »

OK

MY turn

What is this??

frethack · « **Reply #128 on:** 09/01/2009 18:30:19 »

Hmmmm....Im gonna say multiple phragmocones from some species of cephalopod...possibly nautiloids?

JimBob · « **Reply #129 on:** 12/01/2009 15:02:32 »

Strait ammonites they are.

frethack · « **Reply #130 on:** 12/01/2009 16:31:55 »

This structure is magnificent! What is it and how did it form?

JimBob · « **Reply #131 on:** 13/01/2009 03:45:32 »

I can't tell - I already know since you told me yesterday during the Pittsbugh- San Diego football game.

Bass · « **Reply #132 on:** 17/01/2009 23:15:32 »

Being an old spelunker, the stalactites are obvious in the background. The big moth is intriguing- then I noticed the horizontal growths. My guess is helictites. Where is the cave?

frethack · « **Reply #133 on:** 17/01/2009 23:41:38 »

Yep, helictites. The cave is Sonora Cavern and it is unbelievable.

From Wiki: The founder of the National Speleological Society, Bill Stephenson, said of the cave after his first visit: "This is the most indescribably beautiful cave in the world, its beauty cannot be exaggerated, not even by a Texan."

My wife took me there for my birthday two weeks ago

Because it was my birthday and I was a geoscience student, the guide took us into two rooms that are solely reserved for scientists...I was in heaven!

The formation is called "The Butterfly" and is the only known double fishtail helictite in the world. Unfortunately, some college kids broke off about a third of one of the wings in 2006, but after a little lobbying, the Texas legislature made it a felony to deface a landmark. Since the guy had never been charged before the law change, he is now charged with a felony. [

] Dont mess with Texas!

JimBob · « **Reply #134 on:** 18/01/2009 00:00:24 »

Gosh, I wish I were that smart.

JimBob · « **Reply #135 on:** 27/03/2009 05:06:50 »

What is the oldest Fossil life form and how old is it?

Chemistry4me · « **Reply #136 on:** 27/03/2009 05:14:09 »

You? 564412354688886421354 years old? [

]

Chemistry4me · « **Reply #137 on:** 27/03/2009 05:27:50 »

Bristlecone pine trees? 4600 years?

JimBob · « **Reply #138 on:** 27/03/2009 08:20:26 »

Quote from: Chemistry4me on 27/03/2009 05:14:09

You? 564412354688886421354 years old? []

Oh, was that thing that woke me up the Big Bang? Must mean I am Brahman, the first cause. I open my eye and a universe is created,I close my eye and it ceases to exists.

You know, when you have that much power, you hardly notice it.

NO, I am not the oldest fossil on the earth.

JimBob · « **Reply #139 on:** 27/03/2009 08:25:24 »

Quote from: Chemistry4me on 27/03/2009 05:27:50

Bristlecone pine trees? 4600 years?

Yes, it is the bristle cone pine as the oldest Living complex life form. I have clarified the question -

What is the oldest known fossil life form and how old is it?