Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers...
-
Upload
ashlee-reed -
Category
Documents
-
view
216 -
download
0
Transcript of Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers...
![Page 1: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Colorado Plateau Province
“Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.”
-Ray Wheeler, “The Colorado Plateau Region”
![Page 2: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
ARIZONA
Phoenix
Flagstaff
•
Mogollon Rim
Tucson•
![Page 3: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Colorado Plateau: a distinct mass of continental crust for >500 million years
Long sedimentary history +
little deformation (long, stable history) =
“layer cake geology”
![Page 4: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Volcanic activity mostly confined to edges of Colorado
Plateau
San Francisco Peaks volcanic field near Flagstaff
Shiprock, New Mexico (volcanic neck)
![Page 5: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Major uplift of Colorado Plateau 15 - 5 million years ago => Major downcutting by rivers => Deep
canyons, exposing the sedimentary layers
![Page 6: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
![Page 7: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
How Grand Canyon was built
EVENT
Sediments deposited, then buried and metamorphosed
Long period of erosion levels land surface
WHEN
2 - 1.8 billion yrs ago (bya)
1.7 - 1.6 bya
PRODUCT
Vishnu Schist
The Great Unconformity
![Page 8: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
How Grand Canyon was built
EVENT
Sea goes in, sea goes out... Sea goes in, sea goes out...
Mountain-building in Rockies sheds sediments onto Colo. Plateau
WHEN
Paleozoic (590 - 250 million yrs ago (mya)
Mesozoic (250 - 65 mya)
PRODUCT
Thick sequence of marine sandstones, shales, limestones
Thick sand dune deposits, e.g. Navajo Sandstone
![Page 9: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
How Grand Canyon was built
EVENT
Colo. Plateau uplifted;
Streams, Colo. River vigorously downcut through Plateau
WHEN
Late Tertiary/Early Quaternary (~15 - 5 mya)
~5 mya to present
PRODUCT
Softer Mesozoic sediments stripped off harder surface of Kaibab Limestone
Deep canyons expose one of greatest pC/Paleozoic rock sequences in world
![Page 10: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
![Page 11: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Vishnu Schist
Tapeats Sandstone
Bright Angel Shale
Great Unconformity
![Page 12: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Zion National Park and vicinity: younger (Mesozoic) rocks that overlie Grand Canyon sequence-- mostly cross-bedded sandstones
![Page 13: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Most of Colo. Plateau (except higher elevations) is desert
Contains elements of the 4 major desert types
Region experiences summer monsoons
![Page 14: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Colorado Plateau’s mean elevation = 5200 ft. (1730 m); range = 3000 - 14,000 ft. (1000 - 4670 m)
High elevation + deep canyons => huge elevational/ climatic gradients
Merriam developed life zone concept on the Colorado Plateau:
80 miles (130 km) apart
Lower Sonoran Zone, Inner Grand Canyon
Boreal Zone, San Francisco Peaks
![Page 15: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
A virtual hike down the Bright Angel Trail
On the South Rim: pinyon-juniper woodland
In mesic microsites on South Rim: Ponderosa pine
![Page 16: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Drier woodland: mostly juniper
In mesic microclimates (north-facing slopes) below Rim: Douglas fir
Descending from Rim.....
![Page 17: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
On Tonto Plateau: Coleogyne (blackbrush) community
Hedgehog cactus Utah agave
Descending further......
![Page 18: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Inner Canyon: Sonoran desert
Mesquite tree
Sacred Datura Barrel cactus
![Page 19: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
More mesic (heavy winter snowfall)
Ponderosa pine, aspen, spruce, fir
North Rim and North Kaibab National Forest
![Page 20: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Mojave Desert (west/SW of Colorado Plateau)
Creosotebush
Desert tortoise
![Page 21: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
A quick tour of some Colorado Plateau fauna
Desert bighorn sheep
Mule deer
![Page 22: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Canyon wrens
Wild turkey
![Page 23: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Chuckwalla
Horned toad
![Page 24: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Collared lizard
Grand Canyon rattlesnake
![Page 25: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Humans at Grand Canyon and vicinity
10,000 years ago : Paleoindians at Grand Canyon
3000-4,000 years ago : Desert Culture at the Canyon
Split-twig figurine
![Page 26: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
500 - 1200 A.D. : Prehistoric Pueblo Peoples (Anasazi) in the Canyon (ancestors to modern Hopi)
Hilltop ruin, Cardenas Creek
Anasazi Bridge
![Page 27: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
1540 : First Europeans (Captain Garcia Lopez de Cardenas) visit Canyon with Hopi guides
1869 : Major John Wesley Powell leads first successful expedition down the Colorado River
Powell’s boat and armchair Tau-gu and
J.W. Powell
![Page 28: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
1871 : Mormon patriarch John D. Lee establishes Lee’s Ferry at Marble Canyon
1877 : John D. Lee executed for his role in 1857 Mountain Meadow massacre; Emma Lee (one of his many widows) runs ferry after his demise
![Page 29: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
1880 : 1st tourist facility (log cabin) built at South Rim
1883 : John Hance, first Grand Canyon settler, arrives
1889: C.H. Merriam explores Grand Canyon region, develops life zone concept
1908 : President Teddy Roosevelt creates Grand Canyon National Monument
1915 : Annual visitation to the Canyon reaches 106,000
1919 : Grand Canyon and Zion both become national parks
![Page 30: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
ca. 1920 : 1st mule trips for tourists into Grand Canyon
1922 : Phantom Ranch built at bottom of Grand Canyon (designed by architect Mary Jane Colter)
![Page 31: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
1938 : Elsie Clover and Lois Jotter conduct botanical survey as 1st women to float Grand Canyon on a commercial trip
1955 : Bill Beer and John Dagget swim entire length of Grand Canyon (Beer later writes book We Swam the Grand Canyon: The story of a cheap vacation that got a little out of hand)
![Page 32: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
1955 : Georgie White pioneers use of inflatable rafts in Grand Canyon; commercial river running takes off
![Page 33: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
1956 : Construction of Glen Canyon Dam is authorized
1963 : Gates of Glen Canyon Dam close, the Colorado River ceases to be a wild river through Grand Canyon
1964 : Bureau of Reclamation plans dam within Grand Canyon; Sierra Club leads successful fight against it
![Page 34: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
1983 : Record spring runoff in Colorado River basin causes flood that nearly takes out Glen Canyon Dam:
Sheets of plywood extend height of dam 4 ft., enough to prevent water from over-topping dam3 dory boatmen on illegal trip set unmotorized speed record: 277 miles in 3 days
1989 : Congress requires operators of Glen Canyon Dam to assess dam operations and ways to minimize impacts to the Grand Canyon
![Page 35: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
1993 : Suicides (leaping/driving off Rim) at Grand Canyon soar following release of movie Thelma and Louise
1996 : 1st captivity-bred California condors released into wild near Marble Canyon
2004 : 1st PEL Semi-occasional Phytogeographic and Hiking Expedition to Grand Canyon area
![Page 36: Colorado Plateau Province “Asked to explain what makes the Colorado Plateau unique, geographers grow cryptic, enigmatic, even mystical.” -Ray Wheeler,](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062802/56649e8f5503460f94b93187/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Bob Ribokas’ excellent website,
www.kaibab.org
...and to many other websites from which I stole, I mean borrowed images