Options

Full-text article (Disclaimer)

Other articles by Helder, M

Browse contents of CS+Dialogue 31(3)

Format this page for printing

 

Core Academy Home Make a Donation Is Genesis History?

 

Appalachian odyssey
Helder, M. 2004.  CS Dialogue 31(3):4-5. CELD ID 19950

Abstract
In the American southwest, some particularly unique and dramatic landscapes have been preserved in the national parks. No one can fail to be impressed by the steep V-shaped gorge and the diagonal patterning (between horizontal erosion surfaces) which characterizes the rocks of Zion National Park in Utah. Similar sandstone rocks extend over a seven-state area, but they are not all called by the same name. In various parts of their range, these rocks are known either as Navajo, or Aztec, or Nugget Sandstone. The interesting point is that these sandstone rocks extend over a tremendous area, variously estimated from 265,000 up to 660,000 square kilometres (Rahl et al. 2003. Geology 31#9 p. 761). In additional these deposits are very thick, up to 700 m (2200 ft) at Zion National Park and at lesser depths elsewhere. The total volume of these rocks is extremely large, perhaps as much as 10,000 cubic miles or 40,000 cubic kilometres. Concerning this stupendous extent of rock, some geologists call it "one of the largest sand seas known in Earth history." (Loope and Rowe. 2003. Journal of Geology 111 p. 230). Obviously there is nothing ordinary about the Navajo Sandstone.