Post by Starguy on Mar 27, 2020 18:06:41 GMT -5
There are four laws of historical geology that are generally recognized.
1- Uniformitarianism. This is the law that says that processes that are happening today have happened in the past. Erosion, deposition, vulcanism that we see today have always happened. At the least during the history of earth. Rates can vary.
2- Super position. In general, deeper rocks are older than shallower rocks. This can be changed by local conditions.
3- Original horizontality. Sedimentary rocks and possibly extrusive igneous rocks are laid down in approximately horizontal layers.
4- Crosscutting relationships. Rock that intruded through previously deposited rock is younger than the rock it has intruded through.
With these laws in mind, you can often describe the history of a geologic landscape. Considering uncomformities, nonconformities and faulting can greatly complicate describing the history of an area. It is a really interesting aspect of geology that is often overlooked.
The geology of southern Utah including the monoclines as well as the Colorado plateau in general are a fascinating part of recent geology.
1- Uniformitarianism. This is the law that says that processes that are happening today have happened in the past. Erosion, deposition, vulcanism that we see today have always happened. At the least during the history of earth. Rates can vary.
2- Super position. In general, deeper rocks are older than shallower rocks. This can be changed by local conditions.
3- Original horizontality. Sedimentary rocks and possibly extrusive igneous rocks are laid down in approximately horizontal layers.
4- Crosscutting relationships. Rock that intruded through previously deposited rock is younger than the rock it has intruded through.
With these laws in mind, you can often describe the history of a geologic landscape. Considering uncomformities, nonconformities and faulting can greatly complicate describing the history of an area. It is a really interesting aspect of geology that is often overlooked.
The geology of southern Utah including the monoclines as well as the Colorado plateau in general are a fascinating part of recent geology.
