INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY HONORS EXERCISE FOUR WEATHERING AND SEDIMENTATION IN ROCK CANYON In this exercise we will be exploring the

processes of weathering, erosion, transportation and sedimentation. These processes comprise the first four of the five steps in the formation of sedimentary rock. Note: Be careful working in the creekbed. Some of the rocks are smooth and some are a bit unstable. Therefore you should use great caution when stepping on them to ensure you dont injure yourself! Part I, Map Throughout this exercise, mark on the attached topographic map the locations where you make observations (i.e., descriptions, sketches, etc.) Part II, Weathering and Erosion Examine the rock at this location and answer the following questions. 1. Describe how the surface of the rock here differs from the interior. Draw a sketch.

2. What has happened to the surface of the rock to create the difference that you noted above?

3. Look at the pile of rock here. a. From where did this rock come? b. Describe the angularity of this sediment. 4. What is the inevitable fate of the solid intact rock in the cliffs and steep slopes above? What do we call the process of rock moving downhill, away from its original location?

5. As we walk along the trail, note the slopes and cliffs. a. What is controlling (causing) the steepness of the slopes (i.e., why are there cliffs in some places and more gentle slopes in other places) (explain)?

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b. Does weathering effect all types of rocks the same (explain)? 6. Examine the rock here. Is it resistant to weathering, in comparison to other rocks we have seen thus far today? This is the same type of rock as is in the layers that make very steep cliffs just a little ways up the canyon. Why is it so different here?

Part III, Sedimentation at the mouth of Rock Canyon Examine the material in the walls of the creek bed and answer the following questions. 1. From where do you think this material came (why)?

How many layers can you discern? Draw a sketch. Note that geologists call layers of sediment beds or strata.

2. What are the relative ages of the beds in your sketch above (i.e., which is youngest, which is oldest)? Do you think this pattern must be true of all sedimentary bedding (yes!) What do we call the idea that this is always true?

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3. Describe the layers (grain size, angularity, sorting, layer thickness, how the layers differ from each other). Key your descriptions to your sketch above, perhaps by using a numbering system.

4. Was the material continually transported a little at a time for many years, or was it transported in a few discrete events (why, and if you hypothesize events, how many events?)

5. Compare the angularity of the sediment here to the sediment at the base of the steep hills/cliffs in the canyon and to the sediment that we saw during our first exercise (along University Parkway). Do you think this material was transported very far (why)?.

6. Estimate the energy of depositional environment of this material (explain your rational).

7. How was the material transported here (explain)?

8. Deposition has occurred here in the past to create the bedding (layers) that you have examined. Has erosion occurred recently in this area (explain)?

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9. Are there any igneous rocks up Rock Canyon (explain)? Part IV, Inferences About Utah Valley Sedimentation 1. Sediment that originates from weathering and erosion in the Wasatch Mountains is washed down Rock Canyon. What is the furthest point or location you would expect that sediment to reach before it is deposited (at least in the relatively near geologic future) (why)?

2. At the furthest location the sediment might reach, what is the energy of the depositional environment (why)? 3. Based on your answer to (2) above, what size sediment do you think is deposited at that location (why)?

4. Consider the layers of sediment being deposited in Utah Lake. a. Are the layers horizontal or tilted (why)? Do you think most sedimentary beds are horizontal when they first form? What do we call the idea that most sedimentary beds are horizontal when they form?

b. Are the layers probably laterally extensive (i.e., continue long distances laterally) (why)?

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100

500

1000 meters