“Read, every day something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity.” – Christopher Morley
200 million years are missing from this landscape. — Photo by Pat Bean
Unconformity Along Route 66
It’s amazing how much you can learn from stopping to read roadside markers. I rarely pass one by, usually only because it’s on the wrong sign of a busy highway, and I value my life more than my curiosity.
It’s amazing what one can learn from roadside markers. — Photo by Pat Bean
That was no problem during my recent loop through the Petrified Forest National Park, where I’m not sure I even saw a dozen other cars.
The educational marker shown here notes that the basalt cap on the top layer of the cliffs was deposited five to eight million years ago. The lower valley layer, however, was deposited about 225 million years ago. What happened to the 200 million years in between?
The scientist have only guesses.
During the 1990s, I saw similar unconformities in the landscape in the Grand Canyon, when I rafted the Colorado River through it. There was a fun discussion around the campfire later that night about the missing landscape.
But just like the scientists, we rafters could only speculate. Meanwhile, this wandering old broad is left in her familiar state of wondering.
Bean’s Pat: Don’t Follow the Lights http://tinyurl.com/7avfh7v I’ve gotta visit Marfa, Texas – so I can wonder some more.
*This award is this wandering/wondering old broad’s way of bringing attention to a blog I enjoyed – and thought perhaps my readers might, too.
Pat Bean's blog 
Bean’s Pat…That’s cute!
I think you mean the Bean’s Pat, don’t you.
2 million year gap? I’m surprised the scientist admit to not knowing what went on during that time.
200 million-year gap. But what’s a few million years. Scientists put their pants on one leg at a time, or so I assume, the same as we do
What a great trip and scenery!
Wendy
W.S. Gager on Writing
Thanks for coming along on the journey Wendy.
About 12 years ago, my husband and I took an on the road trip to Las Vegas from Sarasota, FL. I had gone out to the beach at Siesta Key and dug up a big bucket of sand. Somewhere in AZ, I stopped by the side of the road, walked a little way out into the desert, dug and hole and deposited the sand there and covered it up. I want to come back in 100,000 years and find out the theory the scientists come up with as to how it got there!! 🙂 I’m planning on doing something similar with my rock and crystal collection before I check out. Drop it piece by piece off the side of a boat into the Gulf of Mexico.
I can see the puzzled scientists now. You are wicked Deborah. LOL.
Hi Pat, thanks for the “Pat”. Looks like we’re traveling some of the same ground. We just watched the solar eclipse from Petrified Forest NP this past Sunday. It’s a pretty amazing place, and you captured it beautifully.
I’ve been on the road for eight years now, and I’ve visited so many of the places you have blogged about. Your words and photos always bring good memories with them. My daughter-in-law sent me a post today noting that the Petrified Forest was one of the obscure parks that shouldn’t be missed. I agree, but loved having the place practically to my self. Of course that may have because it was a week day and off season. Happy Travels.
Great post. I’m intrigued by the 200 million missing years, and loved the quote. I had to look up the word “unanimity”, and it’s now going to be my anti-word, I’m not much of a team player.
Mysteries are always fun to read — and observe.
“the missing landscape…” what a great topic for a story!! Thanks for popping over to my blog Pat and signing up to follow it!
Thanks Edith. I look forward to your posts.
Even missing 200 million years, it’s a gorgeous landscape. 🙂
I totally agree. Thanks for commenting Robin.