It is a beautiful day in Utah at the Timpanogos Cave National Monument. I have packed a backpack of water, snacks, and a flashlight. After double checking to ensure I have my Cave ticket to tour the inside of the cave, I start the trail.
After passing the Visitor’s Center I come to a talus slope. A talus slope is a pile of loose rocks that have collected at the bottom of a mountain, cliff, or any high point. Looking at the walls around the area I can see how erosion has weakened the walls near the hiking trails. As a hiker, it will be important for me to mind falling rocks from above and pay attention to the red tape areas park rangers have noted as hazardous areas.
Continuing along the path I take notice of the vegetation life around me. …show more content…
As I am hiking along I see black and red brown colors in the rocks as I pass by. These two colors are caused by two different types of chemical weathering. The black color I see is the element Manganese (Mn) chemically reacting to the exposure of oxygen (O). This reaction causes MnO2 to form and will break down the rocks over time. The red brown color is caused by a different reaction of iron and oxygen. These two elements cause iron oxide, or rust, to form. It is amazing to think that right before our eyes the environment is constantly reacting and …show more content…
A stalagmite is a geologic formation located at the cave floor created by dripping water. You can remember the name of a stalagmite by the phrase “a stalagmite might reach the ceiling”. Continuing in the tunnels we pass through several doors that preserve the atmosphere and air quality of the cave from drying out.
After hiking through the cave tunnels I come to the Middle Cave Lake. Above the lake I notice many stalactites hanging above me. A stalactite is located at the ceiling and is remembered by the phrase “a stalactite holds tightly to the ceiling”. In this room I also see the cave formation called draperies. These thin formations are formed from calcite deposits build up caused from carbon dioxide exposure and look like thin sheets of fabric hanging from the cave.
Continuing down in the cave I come to the Middle Cave Fault. This fault is categorized as a “normal fault”, meaning that the forces are pulling apart from one another. There are two different types of walls in a normal fault. The “head wall” is the section of the fault that moves down, while the “foot wall” moves up. Reaching the big room I see delicate speleothems called frostwork. These formations look like icicles frozen in different directions. Although tempting to touch, the oils from my hands can cause the frostworks to discontinue growth and even
After passing the Visitor’s Center I come to a talus slope. A talus slope is a pile of loose rocks that have collected at the bottom of a mountain, cliff, or any high point. Looking at the walls around the area I can see how erosion has weakened the walls near the hiking trails. As a hiker, it will be important for me to mind falling rocks from above and pay attention to the red tape areas park rangers have noted as hazardous areas.
Continuing along the path I take notice of the vegetation life around me. …show more content…
As I am hiking along I see black and red brown colors in the rocks as I pass by. These two colors are caused by two different types of chemical weathering. The black color I see is the element Manganese (Mn) chemically reacting to the exposure of oxygen (O). This reaction causes MnO2 to form and will break down the rocks over time. The red brown color is caused by a different reaction of iron and oxygen. These two elements cause iron oxide, or rust, to form. It is amazing to think that right before our eyes the environment is constantly reacting and …show more content…
A stalagmite is a geologic formation located at the cave floor created by dripping water. You can remember the name of a stalagmite by the phrase “a stalagmite might reach the ceiling”. Continuing in the tunnels we pass through several doors that preserve the atmosphere and air quality of the cave from drying out.
After hiking through the cave tunnels I come to the Middle Cave Lake. Above the lake I notice many stalactites hanging above me. A stalactite is located at the ceiling and is remembered by the phrase “a stalactite holds tightly to the ceiling”. In this room I also see the cave formation called draperies. These thin formations are formed from calcite deposits build up caused from carbon dioxide exposure and look like thin sheets of fabric hanging from the cave.
Continuing down in the cave I come to the Middle Cave Fault. This fault is categorized as a “normal fault”, meaning that the forces are pulling apart from one another. There are two different types of walls in a normal fault. The “head wall” is the section of the fault that moves down, while the “foot wall” moves up. Reaching the big room I see delicate speleothems called frostwork. These formations look like icicles frozen in different directions. Although tempting to touch, the oils from my hands can cause the frostworks to discontinue growth and even