VIc.rocky Mountains - Wyoming

8/3/2019 VIc.rocky Mountains - Wyoming

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NORTH AMERICANNORTH AMERICAN

REGIONSREGIONSVI. Rocky MountainsVI. Rocky Mountains

c. Wyomingc. Wyoming


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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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TheThe Black HillsBlack Hills

The dark pines make theThe dark pines make theMountains look blackMountains look black

from a distance.from a distance.

granitegranite

(are in South Dakota,(are in South Dakota,but are connected tobut are connected to

the Rockies)the Rockies)


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There are some animals here.There are some animals here.


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RockyRockyMountain GoatMountain Goat


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Another Mountain Top ExperienceAnother Mountain Top Experience

Check out these weird shapes!Check out these weird shapes!


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They are called the . . .They are called the . . . NeedlesNeedles

GraniteGranite can weather to these fantastic shapes.can weather to these fantastic shapes.


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Humanscan adjust theirHumanscan adjust their

environment, even mountains!environment, even mountains!

Mount RushmoreMount Rushmore, South Dakota, South Dakota


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Today an evenToday an even

largerlargermonument ismonument isbeing carved inbeing carved inthethe Black HillsBlack Hills..


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Crazy Horse, Chief of the SiouxCrazy Horse, Chief of the Sioux


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What happened here?What happened here?

FireFire is a natural phenomenon inis a natural phenomenon inthe Rocky Mountains.the Rocky Mountains.


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Lead, South DakotaLead, South Dakota

Whats this?Whats this?


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An open pit mineAn open pit mine

What is being mined?What is being mined?

GOLDGOLD


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GoldGold is the reason weis the reason wetook thetook the Black HillsBlack Hills

which the Siouxwhich the Siouxregarded as sacredregarded as sacred ..

This lead to the LittleThis lead to the LittleBighorn (Custers LastBighorn (Custers Last

Stand) . . .Stand) . . .And Wounded Knee.And Wounded Knee.


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GoldGold is alsois alsominedmined

undergroundunderground(Hard Rock(Hard Rock

Mining).Mining).


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WyomingWyoming

Whats this?Whats this?Devils TowerDevils Tower

What movie was filmed here?What movie was filmed here?

Close Encounters of the Third KindClose Encounters of the Third Kind


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Depending on yourDepending on yourpoint of viewpoint of view DevilsDevils

TowerTower is either:is either:

TheThe basaltbasalt throatthroatof an ancientof an ancient

eroded volcano oreroded volcano or An ancient treeAn ancient treestump clawed by astump clawed by agiant bear trying togiant bear trying to

get to two Indianget to two Indiangirls.girls. As lava cools it can formAs lava cools it can form

these hexagonal columns ofthese hexagonal columns ofbasaltbasalt..


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TheBighorn MountainsTheBighorn Mountains

In northern Wyoming the first range of theIn northern Wyoming the first range of theRockies are . . .Rockies are . . .


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The highest point inThe highest point inthe Bighorns is Cloudthe Bighorns is Cloud

Peak (13,167)Peak (13,167)


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Melting snowMelting snowcreatescreates veryvery coldcold

streams.streams.


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To which animalscome to drinkTo which animalscome to drink

What is this?What is this?


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MuleMule or Blacktailor Blacktail DeerDeer


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FIREFIRE


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Notice the grass.Notice the grass.

Now the sunlight gets to the soil,Now the sunlight gets to the soil,

enabling more plants to grow.enabling more plants to grow.

This area burned 7 or 8 years beforeThis area burned 7 or 8 years beforethis picture was taken.this picture was taken.


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This isThis is BighornBighorn National ForestNational Forest..

AA National ForestNational Forest is owned by theis owned by the

Federal Government for theFederal Government for the useuse ofofothers.others.

ThereforeTherefore forestryforestry, mining, road, mining, road

building, hunting andbuilding, hunting and fishingfishing is legalis legalwith permission.with permission.

To preserve the resource, people willTo preserve the resource, people willattempt to extinguish forest fires.attempt to extinguish forest fires.


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This is aThis is a National ParkNational Park..

Grand TetonGrand Teton National ParkNational Park


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Jackson HoleJackson Hole

These are the most photogenic mountains in the US.These are the most photogenic mountains in the US.

You have seen them before on TV.You have seen them before on TV.


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Grand TetonGrand Teton (13,770)(13,770)

PronghornPronghornAntelopeAntelope


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Notice the dead trees.Notice the dead trees.FIREFIRE

This isThis is Grand TetonGrand Teton National ParkNational Park..

AA National ParkNational Park is owned by the Federal Governmentis owned by the Federal Governmentfor thefor the preservationpreservation of nature.of nature.

Therefore private forestry, mining, road building, andTherefore private forestry, mining, road building, andhunting is illegal.hunting is illegal.

If the fire is natural it will be allowed to burn.If the fire is natural it will be allowed to burn.


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Where are we?Where are we?

Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park


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Old FaithfulOld FaithfulGeyserGeyser


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OldOld FaithfulFaithful

http://www.unmuseum.org/geysers.htmhttp://www.unmuseum.org/geysers.htm


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The opposite sideThe opposite sideofOld FaithfulofOld Faithful

Note the decaying elk carcass.Note the decaying elk carcass.

Since the death was natural, itSince the death was natural, itis not removed by park rangers.is not removed by park rangers.

Old Faithful Inn.Old Faithful Inn.


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Obviously Old FaithfulObviously Old Faithful

Inn was erected beforeInn was erected beforethe current rules aboutthe current rules aboutinterfering with natureinterfering with nature

were instituted.were instituted.


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AnotherAnother geysergeyser


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ThisThis precipitateprecipitate is the minerals leftis the minerals left

after the geysers water hasafter the geysers water hasevaporated. It is calledevaporated. It is called geyserite.geyserite.


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These mineral deposits are alsoThese mineral deposits are alsocalledcalled travertinetravertine..


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MammothMammothHot SpringHot Spring

From IanFrom Ian EbrechtEbrecht


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YellowstoneYellowstone LakeLake


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Even underEven under YellowstoneYellowstone Lake.Lake.SomeSome peoplepeople

come tocome toYellowstoneYellowstonejustjust

to fish.to fish.


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Cutthroat TroutCutthroat Troutabound.abound.

YellowstoneYellowstone Lake fills up a huge craterLake fills up a huge craterwhich is a collapsed volcano. Thiswhich is a collapsed volcano. This

feature is called afeature is called a calderacaldera ((calderacaldera).).


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Causes ofCauses ofYellowstoneYellowstone

YellowstoneYellowstone is located above ais located above a hothotspotspot..

AA hot spothot spot is a thin spot in theis a thin spot in theEarths crust where magma is closeEarths crust where magma is closeto the surface.to the surface.

This heats the ground water formingThis heats the ground water forming

geysersgeysers,, hot springshot springs, and mud pots., and mud pots.


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Hot SpringHot Spring

Dissolved mineralsDissolved mineralsprecipitate out as the hotprecipitate out as the hot

water evaporates.water evaporates.


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The various colors areThe various colors arethermophilic bacteriathermophilic bacteriawhich only live in hotwhich only live in hot

water.water.

As the hot water flowsAs the hot water flowsaway it cools.away it cools.

Different species ofDifferent species ofbacteria live in differentbacteria live in differenttemperature water.temperature water.

BioengineeringBioengineeringcompanies harvestcompanies harvestthese bacteria for usethese bacteria for usein genetically alteringin genetically alteringplants.plants.


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Palette byBacteriaPalette byBacteria

The hot water andThe hot water and


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The hot water andThe hot water andmineral deposits havemineral deposits have

killed the trees.killed the trees.


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These trees haveThese trees havebeen killed by hotbeen killed by hot

ground water.ground water.


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MudPotMudPot


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H th f tiH th f ti


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Here the process ofcreationHere the process ofcreation

continues.continues.


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Onesense that these picturesOnesense that these pictures

cannot stimulate is...cannot stimulate is...


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Whydo theycall itWhydo theycall it

YellowstoneYellowstoneNationalPark?NationalPark?


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LowerLower YellowstoneYellowstone

Falls (308)Falls (308)


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UpperUpper YellowstoneYellowstone FallsFalls(109) on the(109) on the YellowstoneYellowstone

RiverRiver

PeoplePeople


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YellowstoneYellowstoneCanyonCanyon


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Or we could haveOr we could havecalled itcalled it pinkpinkstone.stone.

Both theBoth the yellowyellow andandthethe pinkpink stone arestone are

types of rhyolite, antypes of rhyolite, anigneousigneous rock.rock.

The RockyThe RockyMountains areMountains are

composed ofcomposed ofigneousigneous,,

sedimentarysedimentary andandmetamorphicmetamorphic rock.rock.


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Other igneousexamplesOther igneousexamples

Volcanic ashVolcanic ash

Old lava flowsOld lava flows

What kind of rock is this old lava?What kind of rock is this old lava? BasaltBasalt

Volcanic AshVolcanic Ash

Volcanic AshVolcanic Ash


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Naturally, when you are surrounded by soNaturally, when you are surrounded by somany mountains, what must the intrepidmany mountains, what must the intrepid

geographer do?geographer do?

Cli b O !Cli b O !


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Climb One!Climb One!

Specimen RidgeSpecimen Ridge

Th R t f A tTh R t f A t L t hL t h


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The Route of AscentThe Route of Ascent

Looks easy, doesnt it?Looks easy, doesnt it?

Lets go here . . .Lets go here . . .

. . .and look back. . .and look back


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We started here.We started here.


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The specimen onThe specimen on

specimen ridge is . . .specimen ridge is . . .

AA petrifiedpetrified treetree

Its aIts a petrifiedpetrified


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It s aIt s a petrifiedpetrifiedredwood which,redwood which,geologists say,geologists say,

Was covered withWas covered withvolcanic ash,volcanic ash,

Cells were slowlyCells were slowly

replaced byreplaced byminerals,minerals,

Uplifted by theUplifted by the

fault block Rockies,fault block Rockies,And is weatheringAnd is weatheringout of the ridge.out of the ridge.


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PetrifiedPetrified TreeTreeRingsRings

This occurs asThis occurs asminerals slowlyminerals slowlyreplace organicreplace organic

matter.matter.


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Its hard to tell the . . .Its hard to tell the . . .

Petrified treePetrified tree

from the . . .from the . . .

forest.forest.

When you get to the top youWhen you get to the top you


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When you get to the top you . . .When you get to the top you . . .. . . Look around!. . . Look around!


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BitterrootBitterroot


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And return to theAnd return to the

plain.plain.


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Hayden ValleyHayden Valley


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What happened here?What happened here?


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TheTheYellowstoneYellowstoneFires of 1988Fires of 1988

The summer of 1988 was theThe summer of 1988 was the driestdriest in the Park's recordedin the Park's recordedhistory.history.

More than 793,000 acres (36% of the park) were affectedMore than 793,000 acres (36% of the park) were affectedby fire.by fire.

Fires begun outside of the park burned more than half theFires begun outside of the park burned more than half thetotal acreage.total acreage.

Humans caused 9 fires; lightning caused 42 fires.Humans caused 9 fires; lightning caused 42 fires. About 300 (out of 50,000) large mammals, primarily elk,About 300 (out of 50,000) large mammals, primarily elk,

perished.perished. $120 million was spent and 25,000 people participated in$120 million was spent and 25,000 people participated in

this firefighting effort, the largest in U.S. history.this firefighting effort, the largest in U.S. history. This huge effort saved human life and property, but hadThis huge effort saved human life and property, but had

little impact on the fires themselveslittle impact on the fires themselves.. Rain and snow finally stopped the advance of the fires inRain and snow finally stopped the advance of the fires in

September.September.

www.yellowstonewww.yellowstone--natlnatl--park.com/fire.htm#firepark.com/fire.htm#fire


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Aftermath of the 1988 FiresAftermath of the 1988 Fires

The 1988 fires created a mosaic of burns, partial burns, and unburned areas thatThe 1988 fires created a mosaic of burns, partial burns, and unburned areas thatprovided new habitats for plants and animals and new realms for research. Whatprovided new habitats for plants and animals and new realms for research. Whatscientists have learned:scientists have learned:

Fertile soil with goodFertile soil with good--water holding capacity and dense, diverse vegetation before thewater holding capacity and dense, diverse vegetation before thefire recovered quickly.fire recovered quickly.

Grasslands returned to preGrasslands returned to pre--fire appearance within a few years.fire appearance within a few years. Many of the burned forests were matureMany of the burned forests were mature lodgepole pinelodgepole pine; this species is recolonizing; this species is recolonizing

most of the burned areas.most of the burned areas.

The first seedlings of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, DouglasThe first seedlings of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, Douglas--fir, and whitebarkfir, and whitebarkpine have emerged.pine have emerged. Aspen reproduction has increased because fire stimulated the growth of suckers fromAspen reproduction has increased because fire stimulated the growth of suckers from

the aspen's underground root system and left behind bare mineral soil that providesthe aspen's underground root system and left behind bare mineral soil that providesgood conditions for aspen seedlings.good conditions for aspen seedlings.

Some of theSome of the grasses that elk eat were more nutritious after the firegrasses that elk eat were more nutritious after the fire.. Bears graze more frequently at burned than unburned sites.Bears graze more frequently at burned than unburned sites. The fires have had no observable impact on the number of grizzly bears in greaterThe fires have had no observable impact on the number of grizzly bears in greater

Yellowstone.Yellowstone. CavityCavity--nesting birds, such as bluebirds, had more dead trees for their nests; birdsnesting birds, such as bluebirds, had more dead trees for their nests; birds

dependent on mature forests, such as boreal owls, lost habitat.dependent on mature forests, such as boreal owls, lost habitat. No fireNo fire--related effects have been observed in the fish populations or the anglingrelated effects have been observed in the fish populations or the angling

experience in the six rivers that have been monitored regularly since 1988.experience in the six rivers that have been monitored regularly since 1988. Vegetation growth has slowed erosion in watersheds that had erosion and mudslidesVegetation growth has slowed erosion in watersheds that had erosion and mudslides

after the fires, such as the Gibbon River.after the fires, such as the Gibbon River.

www.yellowstonewww.yellowstone--natlnatl--park.com/fire.htm#firepark.com/fire.htm#fire

Y ll tY ll t i 1989i 1989


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YellowstoneYellowstone in 1989in 1989

Note the different colors.Note the different colors.


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Completely burnedCompletely burned

Trees killed but notTrees killed but notburned upburned up

Trees livingTrees living


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Area of completeArea of completedevastationdevastation

But notice the new growthBut notice the new growth


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Most of these seedlingsMost of these seedlingsare fireweed, which nextare fireweed, which next

year will look like . . .year will look like . . .


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This seedling is a lodgepole pine.This seedling is a lodgepole pine.

Most of the trees inMost of the trees in YellowstoneYellowstone areare


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lodgepole pinelodgepole pine..

Most of the cones of theMost of the cones of the lodgepole pinelodgepole pine cancanopen and release their seed ONLY when theyopen and release their seed ONLY when they

achieve a temperature that can only beachieve a temperature that can only be

reached in a fire.reached in a fire.

They are adapted to fire.They are adapted to fire.

F fi killF fi kill


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Frequent fires killFrequent fires killwoody plants (likewoody plants (like

this aspen),this aspen),keeping grasslandskeeping grasslands

open.open.

This provides betterThis provides bettergrazing for . . .grazing for . . .

ElkElk


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ElkElk

Note the burnedNote the burnedtrees.trees.

Note the damage to trees,Note the damage to trees,


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bisonbison

caused by the bisoncaused by the bisonsharpening their horns.sharpening their horns.


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moosemoose


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moosemoose

cowcow

calfcalf

Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park


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Yellowstone RiverYellowstone River


YellowstoneYellowstone CanyonCanyon

The areasThe areasaffected by theaffected by thefires of 1988fires of 1988

are light green.are light green.

www.lpi.usra.edu/education/EPO/yellowstone2002www.lpi.usra.edu/education/EPO/yellowstone2002

20072007


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From IanFrom Ian EbrechtEbrecht


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BlackBlackHillsHills

MountMountRushmoreRushmore

Devils TowerDevils TowerYellowstoneYellowstoneParkPark

Grand TetonGrand Teton

Pikes PeakPikes Peak

So fires in theSo fires in the


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So fires in theSo fires in theRockies are:Rockies are:

DevastatingDevastating

NaturalNatural

ReoccurringReoccurring

RevitalizingRevitalizing

HealthyHealthy

That is why they areThat is why they areleft alone in aleft alone in aNational ParkNational Park..

E E


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EvermoreEvermore

Quothe theQuothe the raven.raven.



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REGIONSREGIONS

VI. Rocky MountainsVI. Rocky Mountains

c. Wyomingc. Wyoming

The End

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VIc.rocky Mountains - Wyoming