Just south of the windriver canyon in Wyoming you will see this geologic formation. The red siltstone is a remnant of the Chugwater formation deposited at the bottom of an shallow sea 245 million years ago. It rests upon a lime stone formation called the Dinwoody deposited 286 million years ago at the bottom of a slightly deeper sea. Approximately 66 million year ago these two layers and possibly 14 more on top of them were up-lifited to and elevation of nearly 5000 feet above sea level. Over the past 66 million years supposedly every thing above them was eroded away and carried down the windriver to the gulf of mexico.
The thing that puzzles me is that to look at these two formations you would think you would see a better example of erosion unless it is erosion by wind. The two formations are to distinct from one another to believe that the erosion is because of water.
Fair eough. Where then did all of the dirt go, especially the 14 layers above these? If it is the wind then where are the sand dunes and why isn't the leward side of the formations covered with sediment from the winds?
No comments:
Post a Comment