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Cortney M. CapenUpward Bound Geology Student |
| Age of the Rocks of Bryce | Rock Layers of Bryce | Hoodoos | My Experience at Bryce| | |
Age of the RocksBryce Canyon was formed between the late mesozoic and early Cenozoic Eras, it records only about one hundred million years of geologic history. This is a short period of time compared to the estimated age of the Earth. During the one hundred million years of its history, the region of Bryce Canyon “was at various times a sea, a seashore, a coastal plain and a lake bottom.” Today the landscape “is a cumulative result of the sediments that were deposited” and erosion.
In Bryce Canyon, the different climate zones have “strongly influenced how the various weathering processes interact.” The more erosion that has occurred, the more bedrock layers that have been eroded and become bare. Therefore, exposing all the “colors and structures, to the endless processes of weathering.” The rock in Bryce Canyon is the Claron Formation, which was deposited in a lake.
HoodoosHoodoos are rock figures or formations that are specific to Bryce. They are a “pillar of rock, usually of fantastic shape that is left by erosion.” There are three elements that are important to the formation of hoodoos.
1- Rock Type
2- Joints
3- Frost Wedging
The Claron Formation is made up of siltstone and dolomite. Siltstone erodes easily whereas the dolomite doesn’t. The tops of the hoodoos act as a “cap rock” and are more resistant to weathering and erosion than the underlying rock and it protects the rock below from erosion. Secondly, the Claron Formation has been broken by joints. Rivers erode and choose the easiest way possible. They follow joints because there are already cracks in the rock. Therefore, the erosion follows the joints, making the hoodoos stand up. Lastly, the rock is loosened up by frost wedging which opens the cracks and enlarges them. And the rivers then carry the weathered rock away.
Bryce Canyon to me was phenomenal and amazing. The hoodoos and scenery were truly fantastic. Ranger Kevin Poe was our tour and hike guide throughout Bryce Canyon. Ranger Kevin Poe was very knowledgeable and had a lot of stories to tell us all about Bryce Canyon, two of which are included below.
Ranger Kevin Poe told us the story about Douglas the Fir. In the southwest there was a squirrel named Doug. Doug was a very wise and respected squirrel. Anytime the squirrels had a question, they would go ask Doug. One day it started to rain, and the rains fell and fell and fell. Pretty soon the water in the canyon started to rise, and the squirrels knew that they were going to get swept away in the flood waters. The squirrels ran to Doug for his wise knowledge and said "Doug, Doug - - what should we do?!". Doug scratched his chin, and thought for a while. All of the sudden, Doug came up with a plan." We will run up to the top of the fir tree and we will all be safe in the branches." The flood waters continued to rise. And the squirrels said, "Doug , Doug - - the flood waters are rising above the tops of the trees!!". Quickly, Doug went to "plan B", (which he didn't originally have). He said," We'll hop into the cones and when the flood waters rise, we will float away to safety." They did and that is why they named it Douglas' Fir.
Ranger Poe said that if we sniffed the Douglas Fir Tree, we would smell something. To me, it smelt like vanilla. Others smelled butterscotch. We decided as a group that it was either a vanilla or butterscotch smell. Ranger Poe said men smell vanilla, women smell butterscotch but as a group we did not fit the gender criteria! Oh, well!!
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This page was last updated on Monday, May 20, 2002.
This site is maintained by Cortney M. Capen. If you have any questions or comment please contact me at cortneycapen@hotmail.com
