VIb.rocky Mountains - Colorado

8/3/2019 VIb.rocky Mountains - Colorado

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NORTH AMERICANNORTH AMERICAN

REGIONSREGIONSVI. Rocky MountainsVI. Rocky Mountains

b. Coloradob. Colorado


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KeyKey

RedRed--Term to define and rememberTerm to define and remember

YellowYellow--Place to locate and rememberPlace to locate and remember

Bright GreenBright Green--Agricultural productAgricultural product(crop), resource or another thing to(crop), resource or another thing tolocate and rememberlocate and remember

White andWhite and BlueBlue -- NarrationNarration toto helphelpunderstandingunderstanding


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Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains

Most of the Rocky Mountains areMost of the Rocky Mountains are FaultFaultBlockBlock mountains.mountains.

www.gps.caltech.edu/~ehlers/presentations/


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Whichend up looking like . . .Whichend up looking like . . .

www.gps.caltech.edu/~ehlers/presentations/


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Gore RangeGore Range


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ColoradoColorado


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Front RangeFront Range

P

l

a

in

s

P

l

a

in

s

R o c k i e sR o c k i e s

Note howNote howmodernmoderntransportationtransportationuses the gapuses the gap

oror passpass..

TheThe

sedimentarysedimentaryrock of therock of theplains isplains is

pushed up bypushed up bythe Rockies.the Rockies.

This is called aThis is called ahogback.hogback.


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HogbackHogbackIf you would take a sliceIf you would take a slice

through thethrough the hogbackhogback whatwhatwould it look like?would it look like?

Note the upturned sedimentary strata.Note the upturned sedimentary strata.


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Lake DillonLake Dillon

If you would turn 180If you would turn 180 you would see . . .you would see . . .


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II--70 Road Cut70 Road Cut

Exposing sedimentary rockExposing sedimentary rock

GroundGroundWaterWater

SeepingSeeping

. . . and something else.. . . and something else.

faultfault

Another faultAnother fault

If you return 180If you return 180 you see . . .you see . . .


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What problem might there be with having aWhat problem might there be with having afaultfault close to a dam?close to a dam?

If you climb a nearby peakIf you climb a nearby peakyou would see . . .you would see . . .


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Red Peak (13,189)Red Peak (13,189)

Dillon ReservoirDillon ReservoirSilverthorneSilverthorne


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. . . And below the dam . . .. . . And below the dam . . .Silverthorne, ColoradoSilverthorne, Colorado

The real estate values are significantlyThe real estate values are significantly

lower here than they are above the dam.lower here than they are above the dam.


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EconomyEconomy

1.1. Tourism/RecreationTourism/Recreation

2.2. MiningMining3.3. LumberingLumbering

4.4. AgricultureAgriculture


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TourismTourism


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Beaver Run ResortBeaver Run Resort

Breckinridge, ColoradoBreckinridge, Colorado

Most tourists come in the winter in order to . . .Most tourists come in the winter in order to . . .


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SkiSkiliftlift


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Dillon ReservoirDillon Reservoir

Whats going on here?Whats going on here?

Cutting down trees for new . . .Cutting down trees for new . . .

Ski SlopesSki Slopes

Keystone ResortKeystone Resort

The ski industry changes the environment aThe ski industry changes the environment alittle.little.


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Ski LiftSki Lift

More changes occur from buildingMore changes occur from buildingresidences for the tourists.residences for the tourists.

condoscondos

Road cutRoad cut


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Some tourists add less money to the localSome tourists add less money to the localeconomy.economy.


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MiningMining

The first mineral to bring Europeans intoThe first mineral to bring Europeans intothe Rockies.the Rockies.


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UndergroundUnderground

(Hard Rock) Mining(Hard Rock) Mining


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Mt. LincolnMt. Lincoln(14,284)(14,284)

Colorado has 54 mountains over 14,000: none overColorado has 54 mountains over 14,000: none over14,50014,500

reservoirreservoir

which provides water to Colorado Springswhich provides water to Colorado Springs

HoosierHoosier PassPass

Look hereLook here

Veins of quartziteVeins of quartzite

GoldGold stamping millstamping mill

(closed)(closed)

talustalus


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GoldGold prospect holeprospect hole


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Collapsed MineCollapsed Mine


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Blue RiverBlue River

tailingstailings

Tailings are the leftovers of aTailings are the leftovers of a dredgedredge which iswhich isdoingdoing placer miningplacer mining..


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More TailingsMore Tailings


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ProspectProspect

holehole

Operating Gold MineOperating Gold Mine

Placer MinePlacer Mine


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MagdaleneMagdalenesilversilver minemine

(closed)(closed)

talustalus


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SmallSmall silversilver minemine

near thenear the ContinentalContinentalDivideDivide


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What are they mining?What are they mining?

The whole mountain has been removed.The whole mountain has been removed.

molybdenummolybdenum


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What could we be miningWhat could we be mininghere?here?

ironiron

talustalus


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LumberingLumbering


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These forests have been harvested.These forests have been harvested.

Since theSince the soilsoil is poor trees areis poor trees areallowed to grow here.allowed to grow here.

Even though the trees growEven though the trees growslowly in this short growingslowly in this short growingseason, they are cut down.season, they are cut down.


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The Denver SuburbsThe Denver Suburbs


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Many people live like this.Many people live like this.But the view is worth it.But the view is worth it.


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What is this land used for?What is this land used for?

HintHint


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CattleCattle are the most important agriculturalare the most important agriculturalproduct of the Rocky Mountains.product of the Rocky Mountains.


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What is growing here?What is growing here?

HayHay is virtually the only thing that willis virtually the only thing that willgrow in the short growing season.grow in the short growing season.


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Could you live here?Could you live here?

In winter?In winter?

Mt. PrincetonMt. Princeton(14,197')(14,197')

Mt. Princeton is near Mt. Columbia, Mt. Yale and Mt. Harvard.Mt. Princeton is near Mt. Columbia, Mt. Yale and Mt. Harvard.This mountain range is naturally called the . . .This mountain range is naturally called the . . .

Collegiate PeaksCollegiate Peaks


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Cattle GuardCattle Guard

In Colorado these large open areas betweenIn Colorado these large open areas betweenthe mountains are called . . .the mountains are called . . . parksparks

This is the largest one andThis is the largest one andis named South Park.is named South Park.


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DefinitionsDefinitions

Fault blockFault block a type of mountain formeda type of mountain formedby a part of the Earths crust pushed upby a part of the Earths crust pushed upby tectonics forcesby tectonics forces

FaultFault a crack in the Earths crusta crack in the Earths crust HogbackHogback a tilted up sedimentary ridgea tilted up sedimentary ridge

next to mountainsnext to mountains PassPass a low spot between mountainsa low spot between mountains TalusTalus loose rocks that have beenloose rocks that have been

weathered off a mountainweathered off a mountain ParkPark in the Rocky Mountains, a largein the Rocky Mountains, a large

meadowmeadow


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Natural LandscapesNatural Landscapes

Glacial ValleysGlacial Valleys

Timberline / TreelineTimberline / Treeline

Mountain Top ExperiencesMountain Top Experiences


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Glacial ValleyGlacial Valley

UU--shapedshaped


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Whats this?Whats this?

Why should a road haveWhy should a road have switchbacksswitchbacks??


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They reduce the slope.They reduce the slope.

Height

Height

D i s t a n c eD i s t a n c e


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??roadroad

Pikes PeakPikes Peak(14,110)(14,110)

talustalus


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Evidence ofEvidence ofGlaciationGlaciation


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Found where aFound where asmaller,smaller,tributarytributary

glacier met aglacier met a

larger valleylarger valleyglacier.glacier.


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tarnstarns

Buffalo MountainBuffalo Mountain

(12,777)(12,777)

W lf C k P S JW lf C k P S J


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Wolf Creek Pass, San JuanWolf Creek Pass, San JuanMountainsMountains


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treestrees

timberlinetimberlineNo treesNo trees


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Pikes PeakPikes Peak


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Near the TimberlineNear the Timberline

Note the deformed trees!Note the deformed trees!


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At the TimberlineAt the Timberline

Missouri Mtn.Missouri Mtn.14,07614,076


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Gray JayGray Jay

Englemann SpruceEnglemann Spruce

Near the timberlineNear the timberlineEnglemann spruceEnglemann spruce

look like . . .look like . . .

Trunk isTrunk ishere!here!

Wind directionWind direction

Flag treesFlag trees

Line of snow accumulationLine of snow accumulation

These deformed treesThese deformed trees

are calledare called krumholzkrumholz..


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A species of tree that growsA species of tree that grows veryvery slowlyslowlynear the timberline is thenear the timberline is the bristlecone pinebristlecone pine..

In the Sierra Nevada someIn the Sierra Nevada somebristlecone pinesbristlecone pines are overare over

2000 years old!2000 years old!


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timberlinetimberline

Mt. MassiveMt. Massive

14,421 feet (2nd14,421 feet (2ndhighest)highest)

Geographers exploring the areaGeographers exploring the area


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Geographers exploring the areaGeographers exploring the area

above the timberline.above the timberline.

What symptoms ofWhat symptoms ofaltitude sickness shouldaltitude sickness shouldthese people be wary of?these people be wary of?


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Afterenough lichen die and addAfterenough lichen die and add

their nutrients to the pieces ofrock,their nutrients to the pieces ofrock,soil is created.soil is created.

Then small plants can grow.Then small plants can grow.

Above 12,000, theAbove 12,000, the


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Lens cap forLens cap forcomparisoncomparison

Above 12,000 , theAbove 12,000 , theelevation of theelevation of thetimberline in this parttimberline in this partof Colorado, the air isof Colorado, the air is3636 colder than at seacolder than at sea

level (3level (3 per 1000)per 1000)..

It is too cold forIt is too cold fortrees to grow.trees to grow.

The plants are shortThe plants are shortbecause the air abovebecause the air abovethem is thin and cool.them is thin and cool.

Inches above theInches above theground the temperaground the tempera--ture may be 10ture may be 10colder than thecolder than thesurface!surface!


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At this elevation temperatures dropAt this elevation temperatures dropbelow freezing at night, even in August.below freezing at night, even in August.

The resulting biome (combination of climateThe resulting biome (combination of climate


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The resulting biome (combination of climateThe resulting biome (combination of climateand vegetation) isand vegetation) is alpinealpine (mountain)(mountain) tundratundra..

You could call this the setting of . . .You could call this the setting of . . .

Little House on the TundraLittle House on the Tundra


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Plants have toPlants have togrow, bloomgrow, bloom

and set seed inand set seed ina very shorta very shortgrowing season,growing season,so for a monthso for a month

or two theor two themeadows aremeadows arecolorful.colorful.


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YouveYouve


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You veYou veprobablyprobablyheard ofheard ofthese.these.

TheTheColoradoColorado

ColumbineColumbine


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Columbine grows inColumbine grows ingranite rock in remotegranite rock in remote

locations.locations.

Animals are found here tooAnimals are found here too


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Animals arefound here, too.Animals arefound here, too.

What animal do you see evidence of?What animal do you see evidence of?

lodgelodge


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Whats this?Whats this?

PtarmiganPtarmigan


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Red Peak (13 189)Red Peak (13 189)


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Red Peak (13,189 )Red Peak (13,189 )

Plan your route of ascent.Plan your route of ascent.


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Warning!Warning!

Dont walk through the talus!Dont walk through the talus!

It is all loose!It is all loose!


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The SummitThe Summit


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What do you doWhat do you dowhen you reach thewhen you reach the

summit ofasummit ofamountain?mountain?

Look Down!Look Down!

Note that the mountainNote that the mountain

top istop is notnot solid!solid!

The rocks are broken by water freezing:The rocks are broken by water freezing:


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The rocks are broken by water freezing:The rocks are broken by water freezing:weathering!weathering!

h hh h


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Weathering hasWeathering hascaused rocks tocaused rocks to

break off andbreak off andtumble ontotumble ontovehicles.vehicles.

Here strongHere strongnetting has beennetting has beendraped over thedraped over therock cut torock cut toprevent damage.prevent damage.


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What has caused these scars on the hillside?What has caused these scars on the hillside?

Rock avalanchesRock avalanches

caused bycaused by massmasswastingwasting

These are snow avalanche scarsThese are snow avalanche scars


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These are snow avalanche scarsThese are snow avalanche scars

If these littleIf these littlewhippersnappers canwhippersnappers can

climb to this ridge,climb to this ridge,so can you!so can you!


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Hes searching for one moreHes searching for one moremountain to climb.mountain to climb.

How aboutHow about


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How aboutHow about

Mount BelfordMount Belford

14,197 feet14,197 feet

The 19th highestThe 19th highestpeak in Coloradopeak in Colorado


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Camp #1Camp #1


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A good source ofA good source of

drinking water.drinking water.But you betterBut you better

filter it.filter it.

GiardiaGiardia!!


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Dont eat theDont eat thepinkpink snow eithersnow either

It contains aIt contains atoxin that couldtoxin that could

make you sick.make you sick.

This is what a source of a river looks like.This is what a source of a river looks like.

hh l dl d


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Missouri BasinMissouri Basin

TheThe Continental DivideContinental Divide

Lets stand hereLets stand here


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Resting in a cirque next to aResting in a cirque next to a


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Resting in a cirque next to aResting in a cirque next to a

tarntarn


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Time to climbTime to climb

Mt. BelfordMt. Belford


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Mt. Belford from base campMt. Belford from base camp


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T A k V llT A k V ll


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The Arkansas ValleyThe Arkansas Valley


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He made it!He made it!


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D fi itiD fi iti


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DefinitionsDefinitions

Glacial valleyGlacial valley a Ua U--shaped alpine valleyshaped alpine valleypreviously enlarged by icepreviously enlarged by ice

SwitchbacksSwitchbacks a zigzaga zigzag--shaped road that climbsshaped road that climbsslopes; hairpin turnsslopes; hairpin turns

TarnsTarns lakes located at the head of glaciallakes located at the head of glacialvalleysvalleys

TimberlineTimberline the point beyond which trees cannotthe point beyond which trees cannotgrow due to coldgrow due to cold

Bristlecone pineBristlecone pine a tree that grows very slowlya tree that grows very slowly

in extreme environmentsin extreme environments Alpine tundraAlpine tundra an area of low growing plantsan area of low growing plants

located in high elevations on mountainslocated in high elevations on mountains



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REGIONSREGIONS

VI. Rocky MountainsVI. Rocky Mountains

b. Coloradob. Colorado

The End

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VIb.rocky Mountains - Colorado