The three pieces of information that I would ask for to make a geologic interpretation of Death Valley are: fossils, radiometric dating and maps of strata and igneous masses.
I would want to have data on the fossils for various reasons. Fossils would help to identify the time scaling because only certain living creatures are around in only specific times. In addition, fossils would help to identify what kind of environment it was in that region during that time, such as finding a mold of a seashell would identify the area as being covered by water and if it was a beach at one time. Molds of plants also can be used to identify the type of environment such as if it was more of a swamp or more of a beach area during that period.
Radiometric dating would also be useful in understanding the time area. It is more reliable for dating rocks and minerals that have unstable isotopes. Therefore, this data allows for a more accurate timeline to identify which rocks were in what period along with the fossils to get a bigger picture of what was happening during that time period.
Furthermore it would also be useful to have map of the strata and igneous masses. These would be useful to have because radiometric data is harder to actually interpret with sedimentary and metamorphic rock which Death Valley is known to contain. Therefore, by having this would also allow for time scaling to be more accurate and also determine why geologic events may occurred, such as a dike being presented in the strata. This would also allow for faults to be identified as well.
http://geologypics.com/geological-item/geology-death-valley-california/
https://ofakind-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/post_image/image/30096/medium_IMG_4586.JPG
Geology of Death Valley, California. (2017, May 29). Retrieved from http://geologypics.com/geological-item/geology-death-valley-california/
Ofakind. (n.d.). Venture to Death Valley With Leigh Forsstrom as Your Guide. Retrieved from https://www.ofakind.com/stories/8780-venture-to-death-valley-with-leigh-forsstrom-as-your-guide
Geology of Death Valley, California. (2017, May 29). Retrieved from http://geologypics.com/geological-item/geology-death-valley-california/
Ofakind. (n.d.). Venture to Death Valley With Leigh Forsstrom as Your Guide. Retrieved from https://www.ofakind.com/stories/8780-venture-to-death-valley-with-leigh-forsstrom-as-your-guide
Ofakind. (n.d.). Venture to Death Valley With Leigh Forsstrom as Your Guide. Retrieved from https://www.ofakind.com/stories/8780-venture-to-death-valley-with-leigh-forsstrom-as-your-guide
No comments:
Post a Comment