Stephenson Family Ties

Rocks

Big rock into pebbles,

pebbles into sand.

I really hold a million million rocks here in my hand.

-florence parry heide

Im always telling guests that we live in a geological paradise! Just one look around and you'd have to agree. And the more I try to learn about the formations here...the more respect I have for folks who live and breath this rock and dirt and sand stuff!! The more I try to learn new things the more confused I become. But..it doesnt deter me, for I am fascinated by all I behold here. Some day I may get the opportunity to hike with a warm-blooded geologist who will be patient with me and my ignorance and questions...but until then...I have books and google to help!

Here are some of the things Im learning:

Mesas are formed by weathering and erosion of horizontally layered rocks that have been uplifted by tectonic activity. Variations in the ability of different types of rock to resist weathering and erosion cause the weaker types of rocks to be eroded away, leaving the more resistant types of rocks topographically higher than their surroundings.

there are at least 3 mesas behind my beautiful daughter there on the 3rd Ravine hike- Extended

A Butte- its an eroded mesa that ends up being taller than it is wide.

monument valley

Plateaus are types of landforms that possess a flat top and are elevated thousands of feet above a surrounding area. These landforms can be found in every continent on the globe. In some areas of the world, the plateaus are at such an elevated height that living conditions are harsh, while plateaus in other locations offer more benign environments suitable for agriculture.

Plateaus are level structures of land that usually rise about 1,500 feet (457 meters) above the surface of the ground. In order to be considered a plateau, it must possess at least one steep side. Some plateaus were formed as a result of upward movements of the Earth's crust.