Field AssignmentPart ll2011

Joseph Contreras

FaultThis is a small portion of the Golden Fault in Colorado. This picture was taken next to a parking lot on a trail at the School of Mines in Golden Colorado. The Golden fault is widely accepted as a west dipping reverse fault, however there is some debate on it’s classification.

Source: http://www.cliffshade.com/colorado/dakota_hogback/#golden_fault

Weathering ProcessThis is an example of frost wedging. This rock formation is in the Poudre Canyon near Fort Collins, Co. Repeated freezing of water in the cracks of the rocks has forced the cracks to expand. Eventually pieces of the rock will break off falling to the river below. The river was partially frozen when this image was taken.

Weathering ProcessThese are rocks within and next to the Cache la Poudre River near Fort Collins, Co. These rocks have been rounded by the force of water. This is an example of spheroidal weathering. When water moves over or through rock its angular edges are eventually worn down giving the rock a spherical shape.

Mass WastingThis is a mountain side in Estes Park, Co. This are is within the eastern portion of the Rocky Mountains. As you can tell the slope of this mountain side is quite steep. Gravity will eventually force many of the rocks downward as has already happened for some.

Sedimentary EnvironmentThis is the Cache la Poudre River near Fort Collins, Co. This river is an example of a continental environment. The river has transported untold amounts of sediment from the mountains down to the plains and possibly much further.

Sedimentary EnvironmentThis is a marine environment. This is a picture of the Pacific Ocean taken at Morro Bay, Ca. This shallow marine environment receives constant sediment from the eroding continent.

Sedimentary EnvironmentThis is a picture of a transitional environment taken at Morro Bay, Ca. Beaches are a common transitional environment in which sand and gravel are deposited.

Use of GeologyThis is a bridge in Fort Collins, Co. Knowledge of geology is necessary to design and build a structure of this type.

ResourcesTarbuck and Lutgens, Earth: An Introduction to

Physical Geology, 10 th Edition, Prentice Hall (2011)

http://www.cliffshade.com/colorado/dakota_hogback/#golden_fault