Sweet Home Alabama's, Ca.Brett Matthew BellGeology 103 Spring 2013

•Presentation ContentsIntroduction into the Geological Variations within Lone Pine, Ca.

Metamorphic Presence in the Alabama Hills

Animal Life in the Owen’s Valley

Plant Life

Section I

Section II

Section VI

Section III

Section IV

Don’t take Mt. Whitney for Granite

Section V

Section VII

Owens Dry Lakebed

Final Thoughts

• Introduction into the Geological Variations within Lone Pine, Ca.

•Section I

Lone Pine, Ca. has many features which could keep a geologist busyfor years. This extremely small town is located at the heart of the Owen’s Valley. During my visit in Lone Pine, I had numerous opportunities to immerse myself into the context of the land. While facing north, I had the sharp, jaggedmountain rang of the Sierra Nevada’s which is home of the tallest mountain peak in continental United States, Mt. Whitney. At the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range is a smaller sequence of rocks known as the Alabama Hills. The rocks in the Alabama’s are much different then that of the peaks in the Sierra Nevada’s. Geologically, the Alabama Hill’sare considered to be a portion of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. To my right was another large mountain range called the Inyo’s Mountain Range. This mountain range seemed small when compared to the majestic Sierra Nevada’s. In between these enormous rock formations lye a wide,dry area of desert, Owens Valley. Also located within this valley is a dry lakebed which was once abeautiful lake before Los Angeles County purchased the water rights of the valley. This dry lake is calledOwens Lake. There are two different types of rock formations which we will be discussing. The first rock formation which can be found in the Alabama Hills are metamorphosed Volcanic rock. The second rock we will be taking a look at is the massive granite which is found inthe Sierra Nevada's.

•Section IIMetamorphic Presence in the Owens Valley

The oldest type of rock foundin the Alabama Hills is metamorphosed Volcanic rockwhich is between200 Million Years ago and150 Million Years ago.

Orange Colored andextremely weathered.

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

•Section IIMetamorphic Presence in the Owens Valley

Within the Alabama hills theirare two different types of rocksso it is important not to get the twoConfused. The bigger, more round,egg shaped rocks are different then the metamorphosed volcanic rock. These egg shaped rocksare known as monzogranite, atype of igneous rock.

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

• Mt. Whitney is the tallest Mountain in the continental United States at 14,505 feet.• Is composed of an Igneous rock known as granite.• Intrusive• Same as the granite rocks found in the Alabama Hills

•Section IIIDon’t take Mt. Whitney for Granite

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

• Section IIIDon’t take Mt. Whitney for Granite

Mt. Whitney is located in California within the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Moulton rock created a sub-duction during the Cretaceous Period which grew under the soon to be massive mountain. Slowly over the past 10 million years the Sierra Nevada mountain range was pushed up. As the mountain grew larger and larger, river erosion washed away the layers of rock allowing the granite rock to protrude into the sky as it does today.

•Section IIIDon’t take Mt. Whitney for Granite

Massive Igneous Granite Mountain tops in the Sierra Nevada’s.

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

•Section IVAnimal Life in the Owen’s Valley

The survival of animals has always been a constant battle against the environment in which one lives. Animals sometimes seem to have it made at times while it seems some animals struggle on a daily basis just to survive the harsh conditions where they reside. I believe this may be the case with a few of the animals which reside in Lone Pine, Ca. and the surrounding area. It was hot and dry as I walked through the desert during the couple weeks I was there and I found that animal life seemed to be extremely minimal compared to the life which I am use to here in South Lake Tahoe.

•Section IVAnimal Life in the Owen’s Valley

Photo from: pinker.wjh.harvard.edu 

The blue belly lizard can be found in parts all over California. I spent a couple hours trying to hunt some down and catch one to take a picture but it was extremely difficult due to their agility and speed. These attributes are probably extremely vital in order for them to survive because in this environment, it is a constant battle for food. Being slow could ultimately cost one it’s life.

Blue Belly Lizard(Western Fence Lizard)

•Section IVAnimal Life in the Owen’s Valley

While in the field I noticed a jackrabbit running across the rough terrain in the Alabama hills. He was too quick for me to grab a quick picture but the one I saw was almost identical to the one in the picture. What I noticed about this rabbit was his big size. I have always had this conception of cute little bunnies but this rabbit was the exact opposite. I am assuming that evolution has caused this rabbit to grow in size in order to survive the conditions. The bigger size probably gives the rabbit an advantage from others which could potentially be preying on him. Good thing I left the dog at home during my field day!

Jackrabbit(Hare)

Picture taken from: www.flickr.com

•Section VPlant Life

It is amazing to see that plants, similar to animals, have been able to adapt to climates in order to survive as well. I noticed that it was really dry while I was here; however, plants were still blooming and cactus seemed to be growing just fine.

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

13

• Opuntia humifusa Cactus

•Section VPlant Life

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

•Section V-IPlant Life

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

White Sage

•Section V-IIPlant Life

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

Yerba Mansa Flowers

•Section VPlant Life

Yerba Mansa Flower Fun Facts

• Yerba Mansa means “Fire and Water”

• Can help sooth insect bites, blisters, ring worm, & sunburn

• Can be used externally for sore, aching muscles

• Can be used internally via yerba Mansa tea

• Internal use helps colds, lung problems, cystitis, & stomach aches

• The Native Americans introduced it to Spanish Settlers

• Grows mainly in alkaline wetlands

Works Cited: "The Medicinal Plant of Our Past ,Present and Future."

Owens Lake was once a beautiful, vibrant body of water located in the heart of the Owens Valley. Today, it can account for the “single largest source of dust pollution in the nation” (Source). When I asked a local resident how they felt about the lake I got a response of “I wish Los Angeles County never stole our water in the late 1920’s because it would have been so beautiful here. At least the thief's decided to slowly give us some water back into the lake.” (Hnizdil)

•Section VIOwens Dry Lake Bed

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

•Section VIOwens Dry Lake Bed

•Section VI• Owens Dry Lake Bed

“During the last period of glaciation in the Sierra Nevada the nose of the glaciers reached into the Owens Valley only to be melted by the desert heat.” (Owens Dry Lake) The water which melted from these glaciers flowed into the Owens Valley creating a lake which was once nearly 40 feet deep. Today, it is nothing more then a small pond on a giant piece of small rocks and sediments.

Photo Taken by Brett Matthew Bell

Owens Dry Lake Bed•Section VI

•Section VIIFinal Thoughts

After traveling down to lone pine for a couple weeks I was able to reflect on how driving just a few hours away from home can change my entire quarter in school. The world is constantly ever changing as time continues on. With the destruction of habitats brings life and new habitats for plants and animals. Today, the elevation of Mt. Whitney is 14,505 feet but who knows how tall it will be tomorrow. It took millions of years for this enormous igneous rock to grow and it continues to grow today. Earth is constantly reshaping and moving every second of everyday and I have spent my entire 25 years of life never thinking twice about it, until now. I got to see first hand that humans may think that they are in control of earth; however, mother nature will always have the upper hand between volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc. Both land and sea is always dancing with one another 24 hours a day. Thank you for viewing my journey out in the field of Lone Pine, California.

Works Cited

• "Alabama Hills." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 June 2013.

• Desert Jackrabbit. N.d. Photograph. Death Valley, California. Flickr. Web. 21 June 2013. <www.flickr.com>.

• Hnizdil, Adrianne“Interview with Local." Personal interview. 23 May 2013.

• "Owens Dry Lake." Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 June 2013. <http://www.lonepinechamber.org/sightseeing/owens-lake.html>.

• "Owens Lake." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 June 2013.

• Pinker, Steven. Harvard University. About.com, n.d. Web. 21 June 2013.

• "The Medicinal Plant of Our Past ,Present and Future." Yerba Mansa. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 June 2013.