My Favorite Geologic Journeys
Virtually every place in the world has a geologic story to tell, but sometimes the various forces of nature combine in some unique way to create the world's most unforgettable landscapes. It is important to note that geology is a dynamic process and in geologic time, those sights are as ephemeral on the Earth as clouds are in the sky. Just as we will occasionally see a cloud shaped like Elvis or bouquet of flowers only for those shapes to disappear within seconds, so too will the Matterhorn, the harbor Rio de Janeiro, and Kilimanjaro disappear in the geologic wink of an eye. Behind every beautiful sight is the complex interplay between the forces that raise the landscape, the forces that bring it down, and the rocks that compose them. We are witness to but a single moment in a drama that takes place over millions of years. Described here are the geologically most spectacular places I've seen so far. In time, I hope to add places like Antartica, Hailong Bay, Lake Baikal, and so on to this list.
Lhasa to Kathmandu
The 900 km road trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu is truly one of the most spectacular road trips in the world. You will drive as high as 5.200 meters high, capture spectacular images of the Plateau of Tibet, and finally traverse the spectacular Himalaya before arriving in Kathmandu. Along the way, you will have opportunities to explore Tibetan society from the sprawling metropolis of Lhasa (now more Chinese than Tibetan) to the tiny mud hut villages scattered along the road to isolated monastaries to nomadic encampments. At times, you will find yourself forgetting what century you're living in.
Tibet and the Himalayan uplift are the result of a plate tectonic version of a head-on car collision. India has been driving into Asia at a frenetic 5 cm/year, Ferrari fast by geologic standards. This has resulted in the ultra-high elevations of the Himalaya and the vast, high altitude expanse of the Plateau of Tibet. If the Himalaya didn't exist, most geologists would speculate that it would be impossible to raise a mountain range this high. In most plate tectonic collisions, the pace of India's collision with Asia would slow down and eventually stop. The Himalaya and the Plateau of Tibet would stop rising and eventually erode down. However, India is continuing to plow north with no sign of slowing down. So, for now, we can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Himalaya for at least a few more million years.
Tibet and the Himalayan uplift are the result of a plate tectonic version of a head-on car collision. India has been driving into Asia at a frenetic 5 cm/year, Ferrari fast by geologic standards. This has resulted in the ultra-high elevations of the Himalaya and the vast, high altitude expanse of the Plateau of Tibet. If the Himalaya didn't exist, most geologists would speculate that it would be impossible to raise a mountain range this high. In most plate tectonic collisions, the pace of India's collision with Asia would slow down and eventually stop. The Himalaya and the Plateau of Tibet would stop rising and eventually erode down. However, India is continuing to plow north with no sign of slowing down. So, for now, we can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Himalaya for at least a few more million years.
Colorado Plateau
The Colorado Plateau is home to some of the U.S.'s most iconic scenery and you will instantly recognize many of the landmarks in the Southwestern U.S. from the various movies filmed there. Beyond the movies, what makes the Colorado Plateau such a special place to visit is its multidimensional appeal. While RV-bound retirees drive from viewpoint to viewpoint, hard-core canyoneers haul rock climbing gear into narrow slot canyons, and river enthusiasts take rafts or canoes into the Colorado River. Its selection of resort towns range from Wild West ghost towns to funky new age towns (Sedona) to adventure towns such as Moab. It also has numerous secret spots that range from yet-to-be discovered slot canyons to hidden bed&breakfasts that refuse to start a website.
The most distinctive aspect of the Plateau's geologically is its flat, layer-cake rocks which form the basis of all of the region's scenery. For reasons that are not entirely clear to geologists, the entire area was uplifted slowly and gently so that the rocks maintained their flat orientation as they rose to heights exceeding 3,000 meters. This caused various rivers, most notably the Colorado River to downcut deeply into these rocks giving rise to some of the world's most memorable sights.
The most distinctive aspect of the Plateau's geologically is its flat, layer-cake rocks which form the basis of all of the region's scenery. For reasons that are not entirely clear to geologists, the entire area was uplifted slowly and gently so that the rocks maintained their flat orientation as they rose to heights exceeding 3,000 meters. This caused various rivers, most notably the Colorado River to downcut deeply into these rocks giving rise to some of the world's most memorable sights.
Iguazu Falls
Iguazu Falls is part of the so-called Big Three waterfalls, that is, waterfalls that occur on large rivers. The other two include Niagara on the U.S./Canada border and Victoria on the Zambia/Zimbabwe border. Which of these three is the most spectacular, however, is a matter of debate. Iguazu wins on aesthetics with its wide variety of falls that drop in tiers over several kilometers. Other special attributes of Iguazu include its location in the Parana rainforest which is home to various tropical wildlife including toucans and monkeys and its location astride the Brazil/Argentina border which allows you to experience the cultures of both countries.
The story of Iguazu begins about 120 million years ago when South America and Africa were still joined together. Thousands of cubic kilometers of basalt lava erupted covering much of present-day Angola, Brazil, and Argentina. Eventually, the two continents parted ways, and erosion of soft rocks at the edge of these basalt flows gave rise to the precipices that now consitute Iguazu Falls.
The story of Iguazu begins about 120 million years ago when South America and Africa were still joined together. Thousands of cubic kilometers of basalt lava erupted covering much of present-day Angola, Brazil, and Argentina. Eventually, the two continents parted ways, and erosion of soft rocks at the edge of these basalt flows gave rise to the precipices that now consitute Iguazu Falls.
Mexico City
This timeless and dynamic city never disappoints those who dare to defy exxagerated headlines proclaiming it a dangerous urban morass. Instead, they find a beautiful and interesting place which despite being one of the largest urban centers on the planet, is occupied by people who are friendly and helpful. Mexico City is located at an elevation of 2,200 meters in a geologically unstable region that is vulnerable to hazards ranging from subsidence to catastrophic volcanic eruptions.
Mexico City has its fair share of urban problems familiar to any large metropolitan area, but these problems are compounded by its triad of geological issues: groundwater withdrawal resulting in subsidence of the entire city, earthquakes, and volcanos. These problems are subtle to any tourist exploring the city, but represent a clear and present danger to those residents who make the Mexican capital their home.
Mexico City has its fair share of urban problems familiar to any large metropolitan area, but these problems are compounded by its triad of geological issues: groundwater withdrawal resulting in subsidence of the entire city, earthquakes, and volcanos. These problems are subtle to any tourist exploring the city, but represent a clear and present danger to those residents who make the Mexican capital their home.
Climbing an 8,000 Meter Peak
There is no better way to appreciate just how immense the Himalaya are than to climb one. When we boarded the jet to take us to Tibet to climb Cho Oyu, the pilot announced we would cruise at 8,200 meters, level with the summit of Cho Oyu.
Cho Oyu is located in the Himalayan uplift, a system of mountains that could very well be the highest on Earth ever. Geologists are perplexed at the continuing uplift of these mountains which should have stopped millions of years ago. Instead, the Himalaya gets pushed to new and ever greater heights. It makes me appreciate that not only do I live during an exciting time in human history, but we also live during an exciting time in geologic history.
Cho Oyu is located in the Himalayan uplift, a system of mountains that could very well be the highest on Earth ever. Geologists are perplexed at the continuing uplift of these mountains which should have stopped millions of years ago. Instead, the Himalaya gets pushed to new and ever greater heights. It makes me appreciate that not only do I live during an exciting time in human history, but we also live during an exciting time in geologic history.