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[geotourism]

Zion national park Utah- Best Trail for hike and camping

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is located in southern Utah near the city of Springdale. Park is a 147,000-acre desert sanctuary and is one of America’s most beloved national parks. It preserves epic red Sandstone formations, around 610 m high, that are carved brilliantly in colored canyons. Zion national park’s most prominent feature is 229-square-mile Zion Canyon. The canyon, which spans 24 kilometers and reaches a depth of up to 805 m, was carved by the North fork of the Virgin River. The canyon runs southward through the Narrows valley before reaching the Temple, where the North Fork river creates a tall, seasonal, waterfall. The gorge then runs southwest through Zion before merging with Pine Creek Canyon nearby Springdale. See the zion national park map.

Zion national park consists of 80 summits. The highest, Horse Ranch Mountain, is found in the Kolob Canyons region. The park’s most iconic landmarks, like The Watchman, West Temple, Towers of the Virgin, and Cathedral Mountain, all are found along the park’s scenic Zion Canyon road. Some other famous rock formations include the Court of the Patriarchs, The Pulpit, The Spearhead, the Beehives, The Great White Throne, and Lady Mountain.

Zion is a Hebrew word that means ‘refuge’ or ‘sanctuary. Human inhabitation in the Zion region started over 8,000 years ago with small groups of Native Americans. After the 1800s, Mormon pioneers arrived in Southern Utah. In November 1919, the United States of America designated the region as Zion National Park. apart from its spectacular rock formations, Zion is also known for its incredible biodiversity of plants and animal species. The Zion national park is often divided into four life zones desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest, each zone hosting a variety of plants and animals species. Nearly 289 species of birds and 75 mammals inhabit the park.

Geology of the Area

Zion National Park is located in southwestern Utah near the town of Springdale. Zion Canyon is a prominent feature of the 590 km2 area, which is 24 km long and up to 800 m deep. The canyon exposed by reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone eroded by the North Fork of the Virgin River. The lowest point in the park is 1,117 m at Coalpits Wash and the highest peak is 2,660 m at Horse Ranch Mountain.

Zion Park is located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau,  Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert regions, and has a unique geography with a variety of life zones that allow for unusual plant and animal diversity. Zion National Park includes some beautiful mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, monoliths, rivers, slot canyons, and natural arches. The geology of the Zion and Kolob canyons area represents 150 million years of formation mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation. At various periods in that time warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry-shore environments covered the area. The Colorado Plateau forms due to the upliftment process around 13 million years ago with the highest elevation of 3000m.

Zion mountain Trail rides

The Narrows

The Narrow is the narrowest section of the Virgin River in Zion Canyon. The hike begins along the scenic Riverside Walk, through ankle-deep or waist-deep water along the canyon. Though the trail spans more than 24 kilometers, hikers can turn around at any point,

Zion national park angels landing

Angels Landing is a side of sandstone cliffs, clinging to a set of chains. This is Zion’s most iconic trail takes trekkers up the side of a mountain following a narrow ridge to a 457m viewpoint overlooking Zion Canyon. Thrill-seekers will appreciate views and chain-assisted rock-climbing. This natural stair of Sandstone is dangerous and will surely test your fear of heights. The trail is just a mile long, making it a short and safe alternative to view Zion icons like Towers of the Virgins, the Streaked Wall, East Temple, and Beehives.

Also read- The Secret of ‘VILA FRANCA DO CAMPO’ Islet of Azores archipelago

Zion national park camping

Zion National Park has three campgrounds. Watchman Campground is located in Zion Canyon and is open all year round. South Campground and The Lava Point Campground. Camping is permitted in designated campsites. Watchman Campground is the most famous campground.

Zion national park city

Zion Mountain Ranch

Zion Mountain Ranch is the best place to make a base camp to visit the National park area. The 8,000-acre ranch is very near to the park and offers visitors a peaceful, remote getaway in the mountains. The Zion Mountain Ranch also offers visitors the opportunity to go horseback riding through the mountains. Canyoneering in Utah is the most dramatic experience in the canyons, exploring the corners of Zion via jeep and guided hikes are the best activities around the place.

Zion mountain  Lodge

Zion Lodge is the best place within the National park area and is located in the heart of hikers paradise. The lodge is surrounded by Zion’s spectacular 610m canyon walls and some of the park’s most popular attractions and trekking trails. Zion mountain biking, tram rides, and transportation to and from the park are all available at Zion Lodge.

Springdale

Springdale is a small town located outside of the boundaries of Park. Springdale boasts a variety of accommodations and restaurants, is the perfect place to expand some time to the place. The Springdale Shuttle stops at 9 different locations in Springdale, takes visitors to and from the heart of the park. Mountain biking in Zion, Mountain lion in Zion, Zion mountain ranch restaurant, Zion mountain resort are some major attractions in the national park area. There are some other excellent accommodation options Surrounding areas in Zion national park-like- Mount Carmel, Kanab, and St. George.

Zion national park closest airport

MCCARRAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT in Las Vegas is the nearest airport from Zion with direct flights from many foreign and domestic airports.   Apart from this Visitors can reach the park via ST. GEORGE REGIONAL AIRPORT and SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

[geotourism]

The Mysterious Minevre Karst Feature: Know 10 things About This natural wonder

The Minevre karst

The Minevre karst feature is an unusual geological formation located in the south-central Pyrenees mountain range of southern France. The feature is a result of the dissolution of limestone by groundwater, forming a landscape of hills and valleys with caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers. The karst feature has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is now a popular tourist destination. The karst feature is named after the Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva, who was also associated with knowledge and craftsmanship. Minerve is also reputed for its great wines. The first vineyards were implanted by the Romans, and for centuries the Minervois area has produced strong fruity and mellow wines.

Geology of the Minevre Karst

Karst developed in the Cambrian dolomite as well as in the tertiary carbonate formations. The Karst systems are Cambrian dolomite are local and independent from those developed in the tertiary limestones. the most extended cave systems develop in the tertiary formations and constitute the Minervois regional Karst system which can be divided into several subsystems. From west to east three Karstic subsystems may be considered- the first located in the  Alveoline limestones the second in the Ventenac limestones and assignan formation and the third within the Aigne limestone. They seem hydraulically connected despite the impermeable formations between them. The Aigne impermeable formation constitutes the roof of this regional karst.

Minerve and the Canyon of the Cesse river are very famous for the natural bridges, remains of Karst Conduits. The Minerve Cave is another famous Karst feature known for its phosphate sediments and Prehistorical remains. The walls of the canyons of Cesse and Briant Rivers show Several levels of Karst conduits. The Minerve cave, the most important one, develops on several stories corresponding to Successive Karst stages. It Contains thick sediments Partly originating from Paleozoic rocks carried by surface rivers.

Also read- Whitsunday Islands Australia, A sand Beach in Silicic volcanic terrain

The Karst is Present at the Bottom of the tertiary limestone series in the Alveoline limestone. These small to medium size conduits are organized like a Maze. These conduits look randomly distributed all along the canyon walls and on the sides at the bottom of the Aleoline Limestone. The Karst terrain is of fluvial sediments while some of them are uniformly coated with calcite on their walls. The Minervois Karst plateaus with the Canyon entrenchments offer an interesting opportunity for observing different stages of Karst development.

How Minevre Karst form?

The minevre karst feature is a natural landform that is created by the dissolution of soluble rocks, such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. This process, known as karstification, can result in the formation of caves, sinkholes, and underground drainage systems. The most common minevre karst feature is a sinkhole, which is a depression in the ground that can be caused by the collapse of an underground cave or the sudden release of water from an underground stream or river.

Features of the Minevre karst?

A key feature of a minevre karst feature is its sinkholes. Sinkholes are formed when the roof of a cave or a soluble rock layer collapses in Carbonate rock terrain. They can vary in size from just a few feet across to several thousand acres. Another key feature of the Minevre karst feature is its underground drainage system. This system is responsible for transporting water away from the sinkholes and into other parts of the karst feature. A minevre karst feature is a geological formation resulting from the dissolution of soluble rocks, such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. Other features include caves, dolines, and poljes.

Minerve is a small village and an exceptional historical site, Located between the Cévennes and Montagne Noire areas. It is accessible via the D10 road, it is located 46 km east of Carcassonne and 33 km west of Narbonne.

[geotourism]

Seven Explanations On Why Waikiki Beach Hawaii Is so Important

Waikiki Beach Hawaii

Waikiki Beach is a neighborhood of Honolulu on the south shore of the island of Oʻahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Waikiki is most famous for Waikiki Beach, which is one of six beaches in the district, along with Queen’s Beach, Kuhio Beach, Gray’s Beach, Fort DeRussy Beach, and Kahanamoku Beach. Waikiki Beach is almost entirely man-made and best known for its famous white sand beach. Waikiki, which means spouting waters in Hawaiian, holds a beautiful history for great water activities in Hawaiian culture. In the 1800s, the Hawaiian royals created Waikiki into their playground-where they enjoyed surfing on longboards. it is a world-famous destination and one of the most frequented locations in all of Hawaii.

Geology of the Area

The Hawaiian Islands are the result of millions of years of volcanic activity and Most of the islands are scattered across the Pacific Ocean. The entire Pacific Campaign was shaped by geological forces.  All islands that ring the Pacific Ocean, are the mounts of volcanoes that form where the Pacific plate subducts under other plates at its eastern and northern boundaries.

Oahu is shaped roughly like a diamond. Its two original volcanoes have eroded away to leave parallel ridges on the east and west of the island with a valley in the center. Oahu island began its geologic history as two separate submarine volcanoes. These gradually built two islands. Both volcanoes were built over three sets of fissures intersecting at a summit crater and both at frequent intervals erupted highly fluid basaltic flows that built up shield-shaped cones.

Activities in The Waikiki Beach

Waikiki was the first capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1795 to 1796 and is famous for many places like- Fort DeRussy, Kahanamoku Lagoon, Kūhiō Beach Park, and Ala Wai Harbor.  The two-mile stretch of the Waikiki white sand coast is fronted by hotels and tourist facilities. The area is excellent for swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, catamaran, and canoe rides. Waikiki Beach is noted for its views of the Diamond Head tuff cone, its usually warm and cloud-free climate, and its surf break, with numerous rocks on the bottom. The waves can have some force, particularly on windy days. The surf is known for its long rolling break, making it ideal for longboarding. Waikiki turquoise blue water is a paradise for swimming and snorkeling, also. From Hilton Hawaiian Village on the west side to Kapi’olani Park in the east, Waikiki boasts a beautiful tropical climate with tons of activities and events for all ages.

Diamond Head Hike

The trail to the summit of Diamond Head (Le’ahi), near Waikiki, was built in 1908 as part of the U.S. Army Coastal Artillery defense system. The trailhead is 1.3 km. long to the summit of Diamond Head Crater and it is a 171 m climb from the crater floor. There are also sweeping views of the southeastern Oahu coastline towards Koko Head and the offshore islands of Molokai, Lana’i, and Maui.  Hanauma Bay Nature reserve is a gorgeous wineglass-shaped bay situated on the southeastern side of Oahu near Hawaii Kai, tucked into the Koko Head.

Diamond Head Crater, which is a ‘tuff cone’, was formed 300 000 years ago when the southeastern end of the Ko’olau range erupted.  The summit was used historically as a lookout during war times to spot fleets of war canoes, as well as to guide friendly canoes from neighboring islands with bonfires lit along the south rim. The trail features many of the original bunkers, tunnels, and infrastructure that were built during this time.

Also, Read- The Mysterious Minevre Karst Feature: Know 10 things About This natural wonder

Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Waikiki beach Marriot, Courtyard Waikiki beach, Alohilani Waikiki beach resort, Luau Waikiki Beach, Aston Waikiki beach tower, Hilton Waikiki beach, and outrigger reef Waikiki beach are some famous places to stay and Explore the Waikiki beach.

[geotourism]

The Secret of ‘VILA FRANCA DO CAMPO’ Islet of Azores archipelago

Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo

Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo is a circular island within the Azores archipelago, located west of the coast of Portugal. The island is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and just a short distance from the island of San Miguel. It is the crater of an ancient submerged volcano and was formed due to the collapse of a volcano whose crater became a natural swimming pool with a small beach. it is one of San Miguel’s main tourist attractions. The edges of the crater comprise two islets: Ilhéu Pequenino, located on the northeast coast; and Ilhéu Grande, which is the largest emerging structure. Basaltic rock dominates the areas and is affected by the action of the waves. There are many entrance channels and fissures through which the water comes out of the crater, known locally as goals.

The walls of its crater are lined by endemic vegetation, where many species of seabirds find shelter, while inside there is a natural lake. The islet is connected to the sea by a small channel called Boquete, a narrow passage that allows the entry of ocean water. The island of Vila Franca do Campo is declared as a Nature Reserve, to protect and safeguard the entire habitat. Crystal clear waters and the small but lovely beach of Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo are excellent for swimming and diving.

Vila Franca do Campo and Crater

Vila Franca do Campo is a town in the southern part of the island of São Miguel in the Portuguese Autonomous Region of the Azores. The town incorporates the urbanized parishes, São Miguel and São Pedro. Two volcano-peaked islands Santa Maria and São Miguel, the easternmost of the Azores are look like a moon in the middle of the Atlantic. This archipelago is part of Portugal, but its location is so remote that arriving here is feels like getting in the Bermuda triangle.

The Azores are possibly Europe’s most exotic islands. The secret gardens of the Atlantic lush and green, thick with temperate forests are alive with birds and rich wildlife. The scenery is beautifully painted with dramatic rugged coastlines and empty beaches crashing with waves, which are spectacular. The largest of the nine islands, São Miguel, is a place of natural wonder. Agricultural scenes, crater lakes, steaming hot springs, and heart-stopping views. Both landscape and weather are unpredictable, changing every 15 minutes.

Most of the mountainous areas of the municipality are forested, interspersed with agriculture and grazing land. The climate in this region is mild and humid, with temperatures oscillating between 14 °C and 22 °C, and with regular precipitation, responsible for the fertile soils and ravines.

Also, read- Seven Explanations On Why Waikiki Beach Hawaii Is so Important

The relief of this region is characterized by basaltic rock from volcanic activities on the island. The Rock is forming many of the distinctive geomorphological structures, such as the islet of Vila Franca, Pico d’El-Rei 674 m, Monte Escuro 890 m, Lombados Pisões 258 m, Miradouro 685 m. Vila Franca do Campo is the perfect place for swim and snorkeling in the natural pool or walking the tiny trail, taking in the impressive views back towards São Miguel.

The Three famous Parishes of the island

Água de Alto is located on the western border of the municipality is known for the beaches and coves that hug the coast.

Ponta Garça is the largest within Vila Franca, and longest by extension in the Azores, Ponta Garça is an inhabitant located along a lateral roadway that hugs the clifftops of the south-central region to the small beaches of Povoação.

Ribeira das Tainhas is the smallest islet in the area, it was historically an agricultural center involved in the cultivation and exportation of oranges and wine, in the Porto de Calhau de Areia.

The Spectacular Vila Franca do Campo can only be visited in the summer months, between June and September.  Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo can be reached by ferry that departs from the Tagarete Pier. The Island is a magical place and a hidden corner that allows the Geotourist to experience the incredible thrill of swimming inside a volcanic crater.

[geotourism]

The Molokini Crater: A Surprising Thing To Find At A Beach

What is the Molokini Crater?

Hawaii is a well-known tourist destination, famous for its stunning beaches and lush vegetation. While most people know about the big islands in the middle of the Pacific, there are also a number of smaller islands that are worth exploring. One such island is Molokini, which is home to a dramatic volcanic crater. The Molokini Crater is a large, deep crater on the shore of Maui that is known for its stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The crater was created when an ancient volcano collapsed and formed a circular structure in the ground. The crater is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The Molokini Crater is an incredibly surprising thing to find at a beach. It is made up of many layers of lava and rock, which makes it an interesting place to explore.

Geology of the Area

Molokini is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater that forms a small, uninhabited islet. It is located in ʻAlalākeiki Channel between the islands of Maui and Kahoʻolawe, in Hawaii. The crater is the remains of one of the seven Pleistocene epoch volcanoes that formed the prehistoric Maui Nui island. Molokini erupted approximately 230,000 years ago. The eruption was caused by the movement of the Maui landmass over hot spots in the tectonic plates. Research says that Molokini may have erupted concurrently with the eruptions along the Haleakala rift zone. It is a loop-sided crater lacking the northern wall, with the crescent-shaped southern wall often blocking most of the wave actions.

The islet has an area of 23 acres, a diameter of about 644 meters,s and is 50 m at its highest point. The Molokini Crater is located about 4 kilometers west of Makena State Park and south of Maʻalaea Bay. The islet is a Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary. Molokini beach and the surrounding area is the best place for scuba diving, snuba, and snorkeling. Its crescent shape protects divers inside it from waves and powerful currents. The crater houses a reef with visibility as deep as 45 meters. Molokini is home to about 250 species of fish and many other endemic species. The best conditions for diving and snorkeling occur in the early morning and The water depth is 6-15 meters in the majority of the dive spots. In 1977 Molokini islet, the crater, and the surrounding 31 ha of underwater terrain were declared a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD).

Also, read- The Mississippi River delta-A Famous Wetland systems and Geotourism

Molokini Crater Snorkeling Tour

The Molokini Crater is an amazing place to find at the beach. The crater is located about a half-mile from the shoreline on the south end of Maui and filled with clear, cold water that is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The surrounding area is covered with coral reefs and is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and kayaking. The Molokini Crater is a great place to explore if you are looking for something different to do at the Molokini Crater beach.

The back of the Molokini Crater is truly a hidden treasure. Visitors can take a dip in La Perouse Bay and catch sight of the magnificent Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins and Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. You are more likely to see a Molokini crater shark on the backside, that is fairly harmless. The crater is also home to a few rare plants and animals, which makes it a valuable spot for tourists.

What to Do on Molokini Crater?

If you're looking for a truly unique experience when visiting the Big Island, be sure to check out the Molokini Crater. This stunning natural wonder is located just offshore from Kailua-Kona, and can easily be reached by swimming or snorkeling. Once you're there, be sure to explore the surrounding waters for a variety of marine life, including colorful coral reefs and an abundance of fish. If you're feeling energetic, consider hiking to the top of the crater for stunning views of the ocean below. Whatever you do, don't forget to take plenty of photos to remember you're amazing Molokini experience.

A large, protected reef with calm water is the perfect shelter for abundant marine life. The Crater is world-renowned snorkeling and diving spot. A bigger boat is a good choice to visit the crater, surrounded by shell fragments and Beaches.

How Do You Get There?

To get to the Molokini Crater, you'll first need to find the Kalalau Trail. The Kalalau Trail is a 4-kilometer loop that starts and ends at the Hanakapi'ai Beach Resort. If you're looking to avoid crowds, you can also hike to the crater from the Kilauea Visitor Center. Molokini Crater is a surprising and beautiful sight, well worth a visit if you're in Hawaii. The island is small, so it's easy to explore, and there's plenty to see and do. Be sure to pack your swimsuit and sunscreen

[geotourism]

The Mississippi River delta-A Famous Wetland systems and Geotourism

Mississippi River delta

The Mississippi River Delta is a large area of land that is located in the Louisiana, United States of America. The delta is made up of many different types of land, including wetlands, marshes, and estuaries. The delta is important because it is a major source of water for many cities in the United States and also helps to control the flow of water in the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River delta is made up of several different islands, and it is a major shipping area. The delta is also rich in many different types of wildlife, including deer, alligators, and birds with natural resources, including oil and natural gas.

Mississippi River headwaters

The Mississippi River begins in the Rocky Mountains of western North America. It flows south for 2,150 miles before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, it forms the headwaters of the Missouri and Yazoo Rivers. The Mississippi River Delta is a vast area of wetlands and mudflats.

Geological History

The formation of the Mississippi River Delta can be traced back to the late Cretaceous Period approximately 100 million years ago. The modern-day Mississippi River Delta began to evolve during the Holocene Epoch around 7,500 to 8,000 years ago due to the sea level rise and the natural shifting of the river's course every 1,000–1,500 years.

Louisiana is located on the Gulf of Mexico on the Gulf coastal plain. The sediments that form contemporary Louisiana eroded from uplands far to the northwest (Rocky Mountains) and northeast (Appalachian Mountains), being carried here primarily by the Mississippi River.  The central feature of southern Louisiana is the 3 million hectares deltaic plain of the Mississippi River.

The origins of this plain can be traced to events at the end of the last ice age, as these controlled sea level and rates of discharge down the Mississippi River, and consequently the location and volume of sediments deposited in coastal Louisiana.  During the last ice age, the Mississippi drained much of the meltwaters from continental glaciers. A complex series of events involving ice margins and glacial Lake produced meltwater down the Mississippi River between 11 700 and 9270 years before present. There is also marine evidence of megafloods approximately every thousand years since 5300 years before present.

The Mississippi River deposits sediment at its outfall, growing a delta lobe, then eventually, seeking a shorter path to reach the sea, abandons its previous course and associated delta.  After the river changes course and abandons the delta headland, the region experiences land loss due to the processes of subsidence, erosion of the marsh shoreline, and the sands deposited along the delta that create the barrier islands. The delta cycle contains the natural process of land loss and land gain, due to the change of the direction and discharge of the river. This process formed the bays, coastal wetlands, and barrier islands that make up the coastline of Louisiana.

In the course of the last 6000 years  Mississippi River created a series of 16 distinct river deltas, also called deltaic lobes. The majority of these deltaic lobes are grouped into 5 of three complexes-  The Teche, St. Bernard, and The Lafourche. The modern Plaquemines Delta Complex forms the “bird-foot” Mississippi River delta, while the Atchafalaya Delta forms due to the man-made diversion of water by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project completed in 1963.

The Mississippi River delta is a 12,000 km2 area of land that stretches from Vermilion Bay on the west to the Chandeleur Islands in the east, on Louisiana's coast. It is part of the Gulf of Mexico and the Louisiana coastal plain, one of the largest areas of coastal wetlands in the United States. The Mississippi River Delta is the 7th largest river delta in the world.

Mississippi River Cruise

The Mississippi River Cruise is a great way to see the beautiful delta region of the river. The delta is home to many different animal and plant species and is a great place to visit if you're interested in natural history. A delta is also a great place to see the river from a different perspective and to see some of the towns and villages that are situated along the river. Mississippi riverboat cruise will pass through some of the most beautiful and historic scenery in the United States, including the Ozark Mountains, the Louisiana Lowlands, and the Big Muddy River. 3 day Mississippi riverboat cruise is the best way to see the delta. See the Map of the Mississippi River.

Situated in Clarksdale’s 1918 train depot, Delta Blues is the oldest music museum and the first stop for pilgrims to the land of the Delta blues. The Museum is Offering a full immersion in the history and sound of this American musical form, the museum showcases costumes, concert posters, and of course, instruments associated with legendary musicians from Robert Johnson to B.B. King.

Also, read- The San Andreas Fault-Geotourism around the world’s most dangerous fault

Grammy Museum Mississippi is the birthplace of American Music and home to more Grammy winners and nominees per capita than any other state. Mississippi is the site of the first Grammy museum built outside Los Angeles. Visitors can watch famous performances of singing dancing and other activities.

Winterville Mounds Archeological Site and Museum

Here people can see originally inhabited in the Mississippi Delta before the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes. There are twelve mounds, including one major one - and a small museum. It's a worth visiting stop just to take in the peace and quiet of the place.

Vicksburg National Military Park

Visitors here can see the Civil War history, where the Battle for Vicksburg took place and can see how the terrain played a role in the battle's outcome. The park includes about 1,300 monuments, ranging in scale from important soldiers.

[geotourism]

The Great Appalachian Mountain range of the USA and its Geology

Appalachian Mountains range

The Appalachian Mountains range is a series of mountain ranges that stretches from the eastern to the northeastern part of North America. The mountain is on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. The Appalachian Mountains extend for about 2896 km from the Central Alabama region in the United States to the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. These mountain ranges form a natural boundary between the eastern Coastal Plain and the Interior Lowlands of North America. The range is a popular tourist destination and is home to many ski resorts. The Appalachian Highland is also home to some of the most rugged terrain in the eastern United States and is known for forestry, farming and is home to many different types of wildlife.

Geology of the area

Appalachian Mountain Tectonic Plates are involved in the plate tectonics that makes up the Earth's crust. Mountains are regarded as the oldest mountain chain on the earth. Research revealed that mountains have been formed approximately 480 million years ago during the Ordovician period. At this time, the ancient Iapetus oceanic plate began to subduct beneath the North American Plate, leading to a period of mountain-building, known as Taconic orogeny, which resulted in the formation of the mountains Appalachian. Over the next 250 million years, the region experienced a series of mountain-building processes including the Alleghenian, Acadian, Caledonian, and Hercynian orogenies.

The southern and central regions of the Appalachian Mountains are known for their coal deposits mainly bituminous and anthracite coal. Petroleum, natural gas, and minerals like iron and zinc have also been found in the region.

Appalachian Mountains range has a deeply rugged topography due to fluvial action and Relatively low elevation, reaching its highest point on Mount Mitchell 2,037 m. Pleistocene glaciations evidence has been found in the northern part of the Appalachians, such as the Great Lakes. It is revealed in research that the Appalachians were initially as high as the Alps and the Rocky Mountains, but natural erosion eventually led to a reduction in the height of the mountains.

Sedimentary deposits in the Appalachian Range vary from Paleozoic rocks in the north to metamorphic and granite in the south (Blue Ridge). The features reveal that the Blue Ridge Mountains were formed before the northern part of the Appalachian Range. Appalachian Mountain system can be divided into three large physiographic regions. See the Appalachian Mountains Map.

North Applaiachian mountain stretches from the Newfoundland and Labrador province in Canada to the Hudson River in New York. The mountain ranges which are found in the northern region include the Annieopsquotch Mountains, Long Range Mountains, Chic-Choc Mountains, Green Mountains.

Central Applaiachian mountain

The central region extends from the Hudson valley to the new river which flows through the US states of Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. The Central section includes the Taconic Mountains, The Great Appalachian Valley, The New York Jersey Highlands, and a Major part of the Blue Ridge Mountain.

South Appalachian mountain range

The southern section includes the Cumberland Plateau, the Ridge and Valley Appalachians, and the rest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The highest mountain peaks in the southern section of the Appalachians include the peaks of the Black Mountains in North Carolina and the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Famous mountain ranges in Applaiachian

Smoky Mountains

The Smoky Mountains consist of Layers of limestone that were added to already existing sedimentation at the beginning of the mountain formations around 300 million years ago. The mountain structures grew to great elevation with the shifting and tilting of the underlying metamorphic rock. Erosion plays important role in the formation of mountains. Most of the rocks in the Smoky Mountains date to the Precambrian Age.

Also read- The Spectacular Niagara Waterfalls and its Geology

Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge is of the Appalachian Mountains range remarkably uniform in shape and elevation. The Blue Ridge Mountains have a crystalline foundation and its basement comprises gneiss and schist transformed from volcanic rock. This indicates that volcanic flow may have been partly responsible for the formation of these mountains.

Appalachian mountain trail

The Appalachian Mountain Trail is a 2400 km hiking trail that runs from Georgia to Maine. The Appalachian Mountains are made up of many different types of rocks and are some of the oldest mountains in the world. The Trail is a long and difficult hiking trail and one of the most beautiful trails in the United States.

See more-   Geotourism

[geotourism]

The San Andreas Fault-Geotourism around the world's most dangerous fault

San Andreas fault plate boundary type

The San Andreas Fault is a transform fault between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The Fault is a Strick-slip fault that slides past one to each other. It slices California in two from Cape Mendocino to the Mexican border. San Diego, Los Angeles, and Big Sur area on the Pacific Plate while San Francisco, Sacramento, and the Sierra Nevada are on the North American Plate.  Many world-famous features like Desert Hot Springs, San Bernardino, Wrightwood, Palmdale, Gorman, Frazier Park, Daly City, Point Reyes Station, and Bodega Bay lie squarely on the fault line. San Andreas Fault is considered to be one of the most dangerous faults in the world because it is responsible for a number of earthquakes over the years.

How was the San Andreas fault formed?

Both plates Pacific and North America are slowly moving past one another at a couple of inches a year. When strain is built-up in the Upper mantle, that breaks the rock along the fault, and the plates slip a few feet. The breaking rock sends out waves in all directions, and earthquakes are generated on the Earth's surface.

In many places like the Carrizo Plain and the Olema Trough, the fault is easy to see as a series of scarps and ridges. In other places, it is more subtle because plates are not moving for many years. Many of the roads along the fault cut through great mountains of gouge and crumbled rock that has been pulverized by the moving plates. It can be easily seen in the cities like San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties.

The SAF is about 965 kilometers long and roughly 16 kilometers deep. The plates are continually moving but where they touch each other, they get stuck. when the rest of the surrounding plates move, the stuck parts deform and compress like a spring and build up stress in the rocks along the fault. When the rock breaks or slips, the sudden plates move, causing produce seismic waves that travel through the ground and shake the surface. The entire process is called elastic rebound theory.

How long is the San Andreas fault (See more in the link given)

The San Andreas Fault is one of the most intensely studied faults on the earth. It is a continental transform fault that separates the Pacific plate from the North American plate along its entire trace. Its northern point begins at the Mendocino triple junction near Cape Mendocino. This is the location where the North American, Pacific, and Juan de Fuca plates all meet at a point or at least within a small area.

Here the San Andreas merges with the Mendocino fault zone and extends out to sea as a transform fault that separates the Juan de Fuca plate from the Pacific plate. Fault plane again reaching land at Point Arena. From Point Arena, it forms a straight lineament through Tomales Bay into San Francisco and then through the Santa Cruz Mountains to an area east of Monterey Bay where the fault makes a slight bend to the east.

It then maintains a straight line diagonally through the Coast Ranges to the southern end of the Central Valley between Bakersfield and Santa Barbara. From here the San Andreas Fault makes a second larger and more abrupt “Big Bend” to the east at Mt. Pinos. After about 600 miles, the San Andreas Fault ends along the eastern shoreline of the Salton Sea near the town of Bertram.

Also, read- The Great Appalachian Mountain range of the USA and its Geology

San Andreas fault and earthquake

The San Andreas Fault is a group of faults (Transform fault). It has noticed worldwide after the disastrous 1906 San Francisco earthquake. San Andreas fault passes through California, a highly-populated state. There are many roads in California that snake along the fault line. During the 1906 earthquake in the San Francisco region, roads, rows of trees, and bushes that crossed the fault were offset several meters, and the road across the head of Tomales Bay was offset almost 21 feet. In each case, the ground west of the fault moved relatively northward. Geologists believe that the total accumulated displacement from earthquakes and creep is at least 563 kilometers along the San Andreas fault since it came into being about 30 million years ago.

The places along the fault line are uncrowded and peaceful, perfect for a family vacation. There is an abundant place for camping, bird watching, wildflowers and wildlife, rock collecting, and natural beauty along the Fault plane. Numbers of State and National parks are located along the fault line. All it takes is a good  Geological map, and a desire to see the world’s most famous fault. See the san Andreas fault map.

Parkfield

The town of Parkfield sits close to the fault line. Those visiting will find themselves to the eastern side of the San Andreas Fault line and will be able to see the bridge that has undergone five rebuilds due to earthquakes.

Palm Springs is Arguably one of the best places to see the San Andreas Fault. here visitors can see hot springs that bubble up through fissures and created tube-like holes in the earth. In this place, visitors can stand directly on top of the fault line at 1000 Palms Canyon.

Carrizo Plain

Carrizo Plain is the best place to see the San Andreas Fault. This can be found between I-5 and U.S. Highway 101. Carrizo plain paints a fairly dramatic picture of the fault. Occasionally, steam beds can be seen from the air, and the fault line runs partially underneath Soda Lake.

Trancos Ridge

Visitors can hike the Trancos Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Here people may see random gullies, valleys, water beds, and divets that do not run parallel to the trail.

[geotourism]

The Spectacular Niagara Waterfalls and its Geology

Where are Niagara Waterfalls

Niagara Waterfall is located on the border of the United States and Canada. It is in New York state in the United States and west of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Niagara Falls is a beautiful site and an excellent place to visit if you’re ever in the area. the Area can be reached by car or by taking the ferry. The falls are a popular tourist destination due to their location on the border of the United States and Canada. The falls are located on the Niagara River and are approximately 51 meters high. Millions of people visit the falls each year to witness the spectacular sight of water tumbling over the edge of a cliff.

Geology of the Area

Niagara Waterfall is located 27 km north-northwest of Buffalo, New York, and 69 km south-southeast of Toronto, between the twin cities of Niagara Fall, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York. Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the border between Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the United States. The largest of the three is Horseshoe Falls (Canadian Falls), which straddles the international border of the two countries. The smaller American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls lie within the United States. Bridal Veil Waterfalls is separated from Horseshoe Falls by Goat Island and from American Waterfalls by Luna Island, both islands situated in New York State.

The Niagara Waterfalls were created by the Wisconsin glaciation about 10,000-18000 years ago (the last ice age). The retreat of the ice sheet left behind a large amount of meltwater that filled up the basins that the glaciers had carved, creating the Great Lakes Including (Lake Erie and Lake Ontario).

The upper Great Lakes emptied into the Niagara River, which followed the undulating topography across the Niagara Escarpment. Because of the interactions of three different rock formations, the rocky bed did not erode evenly. The caprock formation is composed of hard, limestone, and dolomite of the Lockport Formation of Middle Silurian. That hard layer of stone eroded more slowly than the underlying weaker, softer, sloping Rochester Formation (Lower Silurian). This formation is composed mainly of shale. The river eroded the soft layer that supported the hard layers and Niagara Waterfall forms.

Niagara Waterfall state park

Niagara Falls State Park is a large state park in New York that features Niagara Falls. The park is home to the Niagara Falls International Peace Garden, which was dedicated in 1984 and is the only international peace garden in the United States. The park also features a number of trails that lead to the falls. See the Niagara falls map.

Also read- The La Brea Tar Pits: World’s Oldest And Best Preserved Ice Age Fossil Site

Cave of the wind Niagara falls

The Cave of the Wind is located beneath the Niagara Waterfall. It is a small, dark, and damp cave that is said to be haunted by the ghost of an old woman. Niagara Falls Cave of Wind is a popular tourist destination and contains some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in all of the surrounding area. The cave can be reached by walking along a narrow ledge. Niagara Falls at night is a beautiful sight. The falls are lit up with thousands of lights and the water looks like a river of diamonds. You can also see the American and Canadian sides of the falls at the same time.

Things to do in Niagara Waterfall

Niagara Falls is a natural wonder, which flows from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, that can be enjoyed by everyone. There are many things to do in Niagara Falls, including visiting the falls themselves, hiking and biking trails, and rock climbing. There are also many restaurants and hotels in the area, so visitors can find whatever they need.

[geotourism]

The La Brea Tar Pits: World’s Oldest And Best Preserved Ice Age Fossil Site

The La Brea Tar Pits are a series of tar pits located in Los Angeles, California. These pits are home to the world’s oldest, most extensive, and best-preserved ice age fossil site. The pits were discovered in 1912 by an oil worker named John D. Rockefeller. At the time, the tar pits were thought to be a natural source of oil. However, it was later discovered that the pits contained fossils from the Pleistocene epoch. The Pleistocene is the last period of the Ice Age and is defined by the presence of trapped animals like mammoths, mastodons, horses, camels, and bison. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is an active paleontological research site in Los Angeles. It is situated in Hancock Park and formed around a group of tar pits (Asphaltum, bitumen, pitch, or tar) that has seeped up from the ground for tens of thousands of years.

Where are the Tar Pits located?

The tar pits are located on a low spot on the west side of Wilshire Boulevard, just south of La Brea Avenue. The pits are about long, wide, and deep, and The site has yielded an astonishing 1.6 million fossils, including 40,000 animal bones and 250,000 pieces of plant material that died during the last ice age. The tar has a high content of asphalt, which preserved the animals and their bones. The fossils represent over 100 different species of plants and animals, including the largest known carnivorous animal, the saber-toothed cat. The site has been designated a National Historic Landmark and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Los Angeles area.

How Tar Pits forms

Tar pits are composed of heavy oil fractions known as gilsonite, which seeps from the Earth as oil. Crude oil seeps up along the 6th Street Fault from the Salt Lake Oil Field, which underlies much of the Fairfax District north of Hancock Park. The oil reaches the surface and forms oil pools. Due to the lighter fractions,  petroleum evaporate while asphalt normally hardens into stubby mounds. The pools and mounds can be seen in several areas of the park.

This seepage has been happening for tens of thousands of years, and asphalt sometimes formed a deposit thick enough to trap animals. The deposit would become covered over with water, dust, or leaves. Animals would wander in, become trapped, and die. Predators would enter to eat the trapped animals and would also become stuck. Like the bones of a dead animal sink, the asphalt soaks into them and turns into dark-brown or black in color.

La Brea tar pits virtual tour

The La Brea Tar Pits Virtual Tour is a great way to learn more about the history of the world’s oldest, and best-preserved ice age fossil site. The tour provides a 360-degree view of the pits and allows visitors to explore the site from any angle. The tour also includes information about the excavation and preservation of the fossils, as well as a video presentation that takes you on a journey through the history of the ice age.

Also read- Triassic Beds of Lake Lugano and Ticino In Switzerland

The site has been preserved with the work of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS is currently working to restore and protect the site. They are doing this by removing tar from the site and storing it in a tar-free area. They are also working to prevent erosion and protect the fossils from damage.

How deep are the la Brea tar pits

The pits are approximately 12.2 acres in size and were excavated between 1912 and 1921. The tar in the pits comes from the animals that died and were buried there over a period of thousands of years. The tar was used to create oil in the early 20th century, but the site was later protected and is now a California State Historic Park. La Brea Tar Pits Museum is preserves and displays fossils from the La Brea Tar Pits. The museum is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.

La Brea tar pits hours

The La Brea Tar Pits are a fascinating piece of history. The fossils that have been found here are providing scientists with valuable information about the ice age. The site is being preserved so that future generations can learn about this important time in history. The La Brea Tar Pits are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekends. Admission is free.

[geotourism]

The Great Plains USA: History, Facts, Map And Geology

The Great Plains USA is a vast and beautiful area that covers parts of 10 states in the Midwest and Great Plains region of the country. It is a sparsely populated area that stretches from the Canadian prairies to the Texas panhandle. The region was once home to millions of bison, and its wide-open spaces and rugged beauty have inspired writers, artists, and musicians for centuries. The Great Plains are a major agricultural region and contain some of the most productive lands in the United States.

The Great Plains have a great historical background. The first Europeans to visit the area were the Spanish, who arrived in the 16th century. The Great Plains were later explored by the French, who built a number of settlements in the region. The British also explored the area, and in 1784 they established a fort near the present-day city of Wichita. The United States acquired the region from Mexico in 1848, and in 1871 Congress created the Great Plains Reservation, which encompassed most of the area now known as the Great Plains State Park. The reservation was later reduced in size, and in 1911 it was divided into the present-day states of Kansas and Oklahoma.

Geology of the area

The Great Plains spans 725,000 square km of flat “high plains,” bordered to the west by the Rocky Mountains and east with the Central Lowlands. The Great Plains slope downward to the east, with maximum heights in the foothills of the Rockies at 1,700 m decreasing to 610 m. The bedrock is horizontal beds of sandstones, shales, limestones, conglomerates, and lignite. The High Plains region in the center of the Great Plains is overlain by alluvial sediments from the Rocky Mountains by streams flowing in the area. In the northern Great Plains, glacial till overlies the Mesozoic rock. This area is also populated by small mountain groups caused by igneous activity and uplift. Most notable of these is the Black Hills, a region of forested slopes with deep valleys cut by streams rising from the surrounding semiarid plains. The presidential carving Mount Rushmore is in the Black Hills, in Precambrian crystalline rocks.

Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are mined extensively throughout the Great Plains. Homestake Mine in the Black Hills of South Dakota is one of the most important gold mines in the country, with excavation taking place up to 1.5 k beneath the surface. This gold occurs in metamorphosed Precambrian sediments.

Landscapes in The Great Plains USA?

The plains are characterized by flat, rolling hills and wide, open spaces. The Great Plains are home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, and pronghorn. It is a major agricultural region, and crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans are grown there. The climate in the Great Plains is generally hot and dry. The area experiences a great deal of variation in weather, but most of the time it is hot and dry. The Great Plains are made up of seven states: Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado, and some major cities, including Denver, Omaha, Kansas City, and Wichita.

Also read- Sa Pa Vietnam: A Magical Place For Trekking in Granite Massif

Great plains tribes

The Great Plains were inhabited by many tribes, including the Kiowa, Comanche, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Sioux. The tribes hunted bison and other large game and traded with other tribes. The settlers who came to the Great Plains in the late 1800s did not encounter any of the tribes, and most of them were killed or moved away by the early 1900s. Great Salt Plains is a reservoir located within the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma. It is named because of the salt flats in the area and for the Salt Fork, Arkansas River dammed to form the lake. Salt plain is notable for the variety of birds that are attracted to Ralstin Island and also for the selenite crystals that can be collected along the shoreline. The park was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.

Museum of the great plains

The Museum of the Great Plains is located in Hutchinson, Kansas, and is dedicated to the history of the Great Plains. The museum has exhibits on the history of the region, its people, and its economy. The museum also has a research library and a gallery that hosts exhibitions on art from the Great Plains. The Great Plains Zoo is located in Hutchinson, Kansas. The zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals, including lions, tigers, and bears. The zoo is also home to a children’s zoo, a botanical garden, and a butterfly garden.

Great plains Area of USA is so famous, that many names have derived from it. The Great Plains National Bank is one of the oldest banks in the United States. The bank was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. The Great Plains Technology Centre is a research and development center in the Great Plains region of the United States. The center was founded in 1988 and is a member of the Association for Research in Science and Technology. The Great Plains USA is a unique and fascinating area of the country that offers something for everyone. Whether you are interested in the history, the culture, nature, or the cities, you will find something to enjoy in The Great Plains USA

[geotourism]

Triassic Beds of Lake Lugano and Ticino In Switzerland

Lake Lugano Switzerland

Lake Lugano is a glacial lake in southern Switzerland and borders Italy. It is situated between the Alps and the Lepontine Alps in the canton of Ticino. The lake and surrounding area are popular tourist destinations, with many villas situated around the shores. The average water temperature at Lake Lugano is 10 degrees Celsius in the summer and 2 degrees Celsius in the winter. It has a surface area of 48.7 km² and a maximum depth of 288 m. The lake is fed by the River Ticino and has a drainage basin of 9,000 km². The main towns on the shores of the lake are Bellinzona, Lugano, Mendrisio, and Locarno. The lake is popular for its recreational activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, and windsurfing.

Popular Attractions on the Lake

Lake Lugano is a popular tourist destination in Switzerland. The lake is surrounded by mountains, making it a picturesque location. There are many popular attractions on the lake, including the Villa Diodati, the Botanical Garden, and the Villa Silvia. Lugano Mountain is the highest peak in the canton of Ticino and the highest point in Switzerland. The mountain is part of the Pennine Alps and is located in the municipality of Lugano. It has an elevation of 2,997 meters. Lake Lugano is known for its amazing views, and there are many top attractions located around the lake. Some of the top attractions include the Villa d’Este, the Villa Monastero, the Castelgrande, and the Botanical Garden.

Geology of the Area

The lake is 48.7 km2  in size, 63% of which is in Switzerland and 37% in Italy. It has a maximum width of about 3 km at the bay of Lugano. A maximum depth of 288 m is found in the northern basin.  The pyramid-shaped, wooded mountain of Monte San Giorgio is located beside Lake Lugano and is regarded as the best fossil record of marine life from the Triassic Period (nearly 245 million years ago). Diverse marine life flourished within this lagoon, including reptiles, fish, bivalves, ammonites, echinoderms, and crustaceans. The area comprises Triassic carbonate formations, mostly within the protected area, which outcrops between both older volcanic and more recent sedimentary formations of the Southern Alpine Series in the buffer zone.

Permian andesites and rhyolites of volcanic origin are exposed on the north face of lake Lugano. Jurassic limestone formations occur on the lower slopes which dip at the mountain foot under the sediments of the Po valley. The Middle Triassic sequence occurs in beds of limestone more than 1,000 m thick. The Triassic sequence includes conglomerate and sandstone (Bellano formation), reef limestone, dolomites and bituminous shales (Besano formation – the main fossil-bearing horizons), marls, limestones and gypsum (Pizzella marls), marine dolomites and dolomitized oolitic limestone (Tremona beds).

Activities on and around the Lake

Lake Lugano is a great destination for a lake vacation. It is surrounded by mountains, making for beautiful scenery. There are many popular Spots located around the lake, making it a great place to enjoy some recreation. Some of the most popular include swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. A day trip to Lugano is a great way to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city without having to stay there overnight.

Also read- The Great Plains USA: History, Facts, Map And Geology

Morcote village

Morcote is a popular village located on the shores of Lake Lugano. There are many restaurants and shops located in the village. Morcote is also home to Morcote Castle, which is a popular tourist attraction. Apart from this Lugano villages include, Bellinzona, Cossonico, and Sarnico.

Lake Ticino, Switzerland

Lake Ticino is a large lake in the Swiss Alps and it is also the second deepest lake in Switzerland. The lake is popular for boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking. There are many places located around the lake, including the Finsteraarhorn, the Jungfrau Region, and the Seelisberg. It is surrounded by some of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. There are plenty of activities to enjoy on and around the lake, including swimming, hiking, boating, and skiing. The weather and temperature can vary depending on the time of year, so be sure to check the forecast before your visit.

[geotourism]

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