VII.intermontane Plateau - Compressed

8/7/2019 VII.intermontane Plateau - Compressed

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VII. IntermontaneVII. IntermontanePlateauPlateau



KeyKey

R edR ed--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



The The Sonora DesertSonora Desert



Tombstone, ArizonaTombstone, Arizona

Which is famous for . . .Which is famous for . . .







Tombstone, ArizonaTombstone, Arizona

Boot HillBoot Hill











NoticeNotice . . . But things have changed. . . But things have changedin Tombstone!in Tombstone!



Saguaro National ParkSaguaro National Park

Southern ArizonaSouthern Arizona



Giant SaguarosGiant Saguaros

may live formay live forhundreds of hundreds of

years.years.



Like allLike all

cacti theycacti theyhavehave

adapted toadapted tothetheextremesextremes

of climateof climatehere in thehere in the

desert.desert.

A flowerA flowerthat hasthat hasfinishedfinished

bloomingblooming





Cholla CactusCholla Cactus



Many species of plants and animals areMany species of plants and animals arespecially adapted to this climate zone!specially adapted to this climate zone!



Colorado River Colorado River

Yuma, ArizonaYuma, Arizona



Today most of the water in in theToday most of the water in in the ColoradoColoradoR iverR iver in siphoned off intoin siphoned off into canalscanals which supplywhich supply

the cities of the Southwest and especially thethe cities of the Southwest and especially theagricultural fields with water.agricultural fields with water.

So much water is removed from theSo much water is removed from theColoradoColorado that for most of the year it nothat for most of the year it no

longer reaches the sea.longer reaches the sea.



It is literally sucked dry by the thirstyIt is literally sucked dry by the thirstyfarms and cities of the Southwest.farms and cities of the Southwest.



Navajo Indian ReservationNavajo Indian Reservation

The Navajo traditionally are a pastoral culture,The Navajo traditionally are a pastoral culture,herding sheep, goats and cattle. They live inherding sheep, goats and cattle. They live in

isolated oneisolated one--family settlements.family settlements.

The Navajo R eservation is the largest in the US.The Navajo R eservation is the largest in the US.



What type of climate is this?What type of climate is this?

desertdesert

Notice that the top of the plateau is flat,Notice that the top of the plateau is flat,broken by a number of . . .broken by a number of . . .



Canyons Canyons

This isThis is ChacoChacoCanyon.Canyon.

CanyonsCanyons areare

steepsteep--walledwalledriver valleysriver valleysfound in dryfound in dry

regions.regions.



Flying aboveFlying above Chaco CanyonChaco Canyon, one can see, one can seepartially excavated ancient settlements. . .partially excavated ancient settlements. . .



The ruins include sunken circularThe ruins include sunken circularceremonial chambers calledceremonial chambers called Kivas.Kivas.



The ancientThe ancientbuilders arebuilders are

called thecalled theAnasazi.Anasazi.



TheThe AnasaziAnasazi lived herelived herefrom c.900from c.900--1200 AD. . .1200 AD. . .



Building mortarlessBuilding mortarless

walls. . .walls. . .



. . . That have (partially). . . That have (partially)lasted for 1000lasted for 1000 years.years.



The largest settlement is Pueblo Bonito.The largest settlement is Pueblo Bonito.

Notice that theNotice that the sandstonesandstonecanyoncanyon wall has collapsed.wall has collapsed.

It fell within the lastIt fell within the last

century.century.



Let¶s check out Pueblo Bonito.Let¶s check out Pueblo Bonito.







From the collapsed wallFrom the collapsed wall



Sometimes the job of the archaeologist is toSometimes the job of the archaeologist is tocover up ancient structurescover up ancient structures²²to preserve them.to preserve them.





The tallest wall remaining is four storiesThe tallest wall remaining is four stories

tall.tall.



It needs a littleIt needs a littleassistance.assistance.

You would too, if youYou would too, if youwere 1000 years old!were 1000 years old!



The rooms are small . . .The rooms are small . . .

6¶ X 6¶ 6¶ X 6¶

. . . some are storerooms.. . . some are storerooms.





With manyWith many kivas.kivas.



SipapuSipapu

Although we don¶t know for sure how aAlthough we don¶t know for sure how a kivakivawas used, there are theories.was used, there are theories.

AllAll kivaskivas have a sipapu, or hole, in the floorhave a sipapu, or hole, in the floorwhich symbolizes the presence of god.which symbolizes the presence of god.

PostPosthole (forhole (for

roof)roof)



The GreatThe Great KivaKiva

Probably only men participatedProbably only men participatedin religious and civil ceremoniesin religious and civil ceremonies

in the dark smokyin the dark smokysubterranean interiors.subterranean interiors.



Three story interiorThree story interiorof a building.of a building.

DoorwayDoorwayIn theIn the

middle of middle of the wall!the wall!

ShortShortPersonPerson





Original interior withOriginal interior withplastered walls,plastered walls,

vigaviga

ceilingceiling



Isn¶tIsn¶texploringexploring

AnasaziAnasaziruins fun!ruins fun!



Mesa Ver de National ParkMesa Ver de National Park

Forest fire inForest fire inprogress.progress.



AnasaziAnasazi cliff dwellingscliff dwellings





The Anasazi lived here after ChacoThe Anasazi lived here after ChacoCanyonCanyon²²perhaps from 1200 to 1300 AD.perhaps from 1200 to 1300 AD.



Notice theNotice the kivaskivas..



Bandelier National MonumentBandelier National Monument

Frijoles CanyonFrijoles Canyon

Do you see anyDo you see anyAnasazi ruins?Anasazi ruins?





The canyon walls areThe canyon walls area porous volcanica porous volcanic

rock called tuff.rock called tuff.



It is so soft that theIt is so soft that theAnasazi could enlarge theAnasazi could enlarge theholes with wooden tools.holes with wooden tools.



The canyon wasThe canyon wasformed by erosionformed by erosion

from Frijolesfrom FrijolesCreek, which alsoCreek, which also

supplied thesupplied theAnasazi with waterAnasazi with water

for daily use andfor daily use andirrigation.irrigation.



Another Anasazi PuebloAnother Anasazi Pueblo



Made of Tuff.Made of Tuff.



KivaKiva

sipapusipapu

vaultvault

R oof supportR oof support



Let¶s look at the cliff.Let¶s look at the cliff.



The tuff wasThe tuff washollowed . . .hollowed . . .

. . . And buildings were. . . And buildings werebuilt out from the cliff.built out from the cliff.



This is aThis is areconstruction.reconstruction.

vigasvigas



Chambers wereChambers werehollowed out inhollowed out in

the cliff.the cliff.



Some wereSome werekivas. . .kivas. . .



. . . With smoke. . . With smoke--darkened roofs and painteddarkened roofs and painteddesigns.designs.



How many stories wereHow many stories werethese houses?these houses?



All these rock surface had beenAll these rock surface had beencovered with plaster and may havecovered with plaster and may havebeen painted with designs like this.been painted with designs like this.



About 2/3 of a mileAbout 2/3 of a mileup Frijoles Canyon isup Frijoles Canyon is

an outpost of thean outpost of thecommunity.community.

To get to the cliff To get to the cliff

dwelling you mustdwelling you mustscramble up the cliff.scramble up the cliff.



The 100+ rungThe 100+ rungladder is for usladder is for us

tourists. The Anasazitourists. The Anasaziused the hand andused the hand andfoot holds in thefoot holds in the

rock.rock.



At the top of theAt the top of theladder is a smallladder is a small

living area with . . .living area with . . .

. . . a. . . a kivakiva with itswith itsoriginal roof intact.original roof intact.





One theory is that thisOne theory is that thiswas a temporary campwas a temporary camp

for coming of agefor coming of ageceremonies for the mostceremonies for the mostdisruptive members of disruptive members of

Anasazi society. . .Anasazi society. . .

. . . teenage boys.. . . teenage boys.

Frijoles Canyon in Bandelier NationalFrijoles Canyon in Bandelier National



j yj yMonument, New Mexico.Monument, New Mexico.



What climate is this?What climate is this?

desertdesert

What animal wouldWhat animal wouldyou expect to seeyou expect to seecrossing this road?crossing this road?



This longhorn was actually one of a line,This longhorn was actually one of a line,

which were headed to a water hole.which were headed to a water hole.



Notice theNotice thesagebrush, a nativesagebrush, a native

species in thespecies in the

IntermontaneIntermontanePlateau.Plateau.

TheThe Painted DesertPainted Desert, Arizona., Arizona.



,,

Painted DesertPainted Desert



Painted DesertPainted Desert

Notice that the Painted Desert, likeNotice that the Painted Desert, likemost deserts, has vegetation.most deserts, has vegetation.

The top layer of sandstone is more resistant toThe top layer of sandstone is more resistant to



p yp yweathering than . . .weathering than . . .

. . .the softer. . .the softershale below.shale below.

Notice the sunNotice the sun--

bleached tops.bleached tops.



The Anasazi used the sides of these rocks forThe Anasazi used the sides of these rocks forpetroglyphs.petroglyphs.

Thi k f it A iThi k f it A i



Think of it as AnasaziThink of it as Anasazigang signs or graffiti.gang signs or graffiti.



What is weathering out of this softWhat is weathering out of this softsedimentary rock?sedimentary rock?

Petrified Forest National ParkPetrified Forest National Park



Petrified For est National ParkPetrified For est National Park



Some of theSome of the



minerals can beminerals can bespectacularlyspectacularly

colored.colored.



Some of the petrifiedSome of the petrifiedlogs are huge.logs are huge.





The desert from the air The desert from the air

Intermittent streamIntermittent stream

Also called:Also called:

WashWash

ArroyoArroyo

WadiWadi

What sort of landform is this?What sort of landform is this?



mesamesa

buttebutte



mesamesa



What formed this crater?What formed this crater?

1 mile1 mile

A meteoriteA meteorite

h lh l



Notice theNotice thecanyon.canyon.

North Central ArizonaNorth Central Arizona

What¶s this?What¶s this?



What s this?What s this?

An open pit mineAn open pit mine

tailingstailings

FrozenFrozenreservoirreservoir

They may be miningThey may be mining copper.copper.





The New York Times > InternationalThe New York Times > International> Slide Show > The Cost of Gold> Slide Show > The Cost of Gold



DamDam

CaliforniaCalifornia

ArizonaArizona

L k H i thL k H i th



Lake Havasu is theLake Havasu is thesite of site of

��Hydroplane boatHydroplane boatracesraces

��A huge retirementA huge retirement

communitycommunity

��London BridgeLondon BridgeNotice the canal carrying ColoradoNotice the canal carrying ColoradoR iver water to irrigate theR iver water to irrigate the fieldsfields of of

Arizona.Arizona.So much water is taken from theSo much water is taken from theColorado that for months it noColorado that for months it no

longer reaches the sea. It¶slonger reaches the sea. It¶s

sucked dry!sucked dry!

Mohave DesertMohave Desert



Mohave DesertMohave DesertCaliforniaCalifornia

This is a dry lakeThis is a dry lakebed.bed.

It is either aIt is either a salt flatsalt flatoror alkali flatalkali flat..

S l L kS l L k dd S l FlS l Fl



Salt LakesSalt Lakes and and Salt FlatsSalt Flats

Are located in an enclosed basinAre located in an enclosed basin

Are located in deserts whereAre located in deserts whereevaporation equals water enteringevaporation equals water entering

Have fresh water riversHave fresh water riversentering(usually)entering(usually)

Have no rivers leavingHave no rivers leaving

Joshua TreeJoshua Tree



Mohave DesertMohave DesertCaliforniaCalifornia



This salt flat is in the hottestThis salt flat is in the hottest(134(134°°) driest (1 3´) and) driest (1 3´) andDeath ValleyDeath Valley



(134(134°°), driest (1.3 ), and), driest (1.3 ), andlowest (282¶ below sea level)lowest (282¶ below sea level)

place in North America.place in North America.

Death ValleyDeath Valley





Saltwater SpringSaltwater Spring



If you turned 180If you turned 180°° you would see . . .you would see . . .



Weather stationWeather station

http://weather.cnn.chttp://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecastom/weather/forecast.jsp?locCode=8L3&zi.jsp?locCode=8L3&zi

pCode=92328pCode=92328







Lake Manly from Dante¶s View.Lake Manly from Dante¶s View.Feb.15, 2010Feb.15, 2010



A small part of A small part of Death ValleyDeath Valley hashassand dunes.sand dunes.



Alluvial fanAlluvial fan

roadroad













Salt CreekSalt Creek AnAn intermittent streamintermittent stream





BirdsBirds

Black PhoebeBlack Phoebe



Lincoln¶s SparrowLincoln¶s Sparrow



KilldeerKilldeer



Mountain BluebirdMountain Bluebird

D tD t



DesertDesert

Navajo Power PlantNavajo Power Plant

Navajo power plant on a clear day.Navajo power plant on a clear day.



They are burningThey are burning coalcoal found nearby.found nearby.

This air pollution. . .This air pollution. . .



. . . affects the view at . . .. . . affects the view at . . .



Grand CanyonGrand Canyon





TheThe Grand CanyonGrand Canyon isis



ee G a d Ca yoG a d Ca yo ssa mile (5000¶) deepa mile (5000¶) deep

and at least 10 milesand at least 10 milesacross.across.

It was carved by theIt was carved by the Colorado R iverColorado R iver..



NewerNewer sedimentarysedimentary rock strata.rock strata.

You can go down and check it out.You can go down and check it out.



switchbackswitchback

Be prepared for aBe prepared for along walk Especiallylong walk Especially



long walk. Especiallylong walk. Especiallyback up!back up!

The North R im is 1000¶ higher thanThe North R im is 1000¶ higher thanthe South R im.the South R im.







The South R im has better sunsets.The South R im has better sunsets.



Let¶s join theseLet¶s join thesefolks, let ourfolks, let our

legs dangle andlegs dangle andwatch.watch.































And after sunset . . .And after sunset . . .

. . . sunrise!. . . sunrise!











Desert Point ViewDesert Point View



The GoosenecksThe Goosenecks



Near by, on the San Juan River Near by, on the San Juan River

Note the twisted strata!Note the twisted strata!



What would youWhat would youcall this?call this?



Mexican HatMexican Hat

R ising out of the plateau near the border of R ising out of the plateau near the border of Utah and Arizona are a series of buttes.Utah and Arizona are a series of buttes.



Monument ValleyMonument Valley



Eroded SandstoneEroded Sandstone

It¶s also the setting for many films.It¶s also the setting for many films.

This is the only place in the world thatThis is the only place in the world that



This is the only place in the world thatThis is the only place in the world that

looks like this.looks like this.



Guess what these are called.Guess what these are called.

The MittensThe Mittens



The MittensThe Mittens

Bryce CanyonBryce CanyonNational ParkNational Park



at sunriseat sunrise

HannahHannah KoehnKoehn





HannahHannah KoehnKoehn







2000¶ 2000¶

almostalmoststraightstraightdown!down!



Pyramid Lake, NevadaPyramid Lake, Nevada



Another salt lake in theAnother salt lake in the Great BasinGreat Basin..

Salt Lakes and Salt FlatsSalt Lakes and Salt Flats



Are located in an enclosed basinAre located in an enclosed basin

Are located in deserts whereAre located in deserts whereevaporation equals water enteringevaporation equals water entering

Have fresh water rivers enteringHave fresh water rivers entering

Have no rivers leavingHave no rivers leaving

Virginia City, NevadaVirginia City, Nevada

Site of the Comstock LodeSite of the Comstock Lode



The biggestThe biggest silversilver strike in US historystrike in US history

NevadaNevada

Basin and RangeBasin and Range



Basin and R angeBasin and R ange

Alkali flatAlkali flat

Sagebrush is the state flower of Sagebrush is the state flower of Nevada.Nevada.

A view of the Sierra Nevada in theA view of the Sierra Nevada in thePacific Coast from thePacific Coast from the NevadaNevada desert.desert.



Meanwhile . . . in southern NevadaMeanwhile . . . in southern Nevada

Las VegasLas Vegas



gg

The fastest growing city in the United StatesThe fastest growing city in the United States



At least until 2009At least until 2009





Along the stripAlong the strip

















Unfortunately in 2010 Nevada is the stateUnfortunately in 2010 Nevada is the statethat has the highest percent of homes inthat has the highest percent of homes in

foreclosure.foreclosure.





Snake River Snake River



At Beaver Dick ParkAt Beaver Dick Park





Craters of the MoonCraters of the Moon NationalNationalMonument in IdahoMonument in Idaho



What a beautiful campsite!What a beautiful campsite!













³Go ahead, we¶ll be right behind ³Go ahead, we¶ll be right behind

you.´you.´





³Go ahead. Explore the cave. We¶ll be here³Go ahead. Explore the cave. We¶ll be here

when you come out.́ when you come out.́





From the top of the cinder cone.From the top of the cinder cone.



From the top of the cinder cone.From the top of the cinder cone.



Note the extent of theNote the extent of thelava flows.lava flows.

The R ocky Mountains from the sparselyThe R ocky Mountains from the sparselypopulated Snake R iver Plain.populated Snake R iver Plain.

R ESTR ICTED AR EAR ESTR ICTED AR EA

Admittance onlyAdmittance only



What a great place to experiment withWhat a great place to experiment withnuclear reactors!nuclear reactors!

Admittance onlyAdmittance only

for officialfor official

businessbusiness





Thar ¶sThar ¶s goldgold in them thar hills, too!in them thar hills, too!



dr y farmingdr y farming

wheatwheat





A Main Transportation RouteA Main Transportation Route



TheThe Columbia R iverColumbia R iver cuts through thecuts through theColumbia PlateauColumbia Plateau

The Columbia Plateau isThe Columbia Plateau isbasaltbasalt lava flows.lava flows.







SalmonSalmon



GrandGrand

CanyonCanyon

GreatGreatSalt

Lake

Salt

Lake

GreatGreat

BasinBasin

NEVADANEVADA

NavajoNavajo

R eserR eser--vationvation

CratersCratersof theof theMoonMoon

ChacoChaco

CanyonCanyon

Mesa VerdeMesa Verde

PaintedPaintedDesertDesert

SonoraSonoraDesertDesert Saguaro NPSaguaro NP

YumaYuma

LasLasVegasVegas

NORTH AMERICANNORTH AMERICAN



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VII.intermontane Plateau - Compressed