SUU Geology Club in Arizona's Painted
Desert
March, 2003
Our group standing
at the Tiponi Point lookout. Behind us is the Painted Desert (primarily
composed of members of the Chinle Formation). It is cold, and
the wind is whipping.
Kelsha, Erin, and Kevin take a
closer look at the preservation of the original wood grain in
this nice specimen.
Sue sits on one of dozens of complete
trunks. The shear volume of preserved wood was astounding.
Todd found a preserved piece of
bark and disturbed it long enough for a photograph.
Erin contemplates the magnitude
of the material (look at the slopes behind her).
Tammie looks over Meteor Crater
and considers the force that it must have taken to create a hole
in the ground almost one mile in diameter.
Kristen, Trisha, and Tarri pose
beside the largest Canyon Diablo fragment, thrown from the meteor
that formed Meteor Crater and found several miles away.
We received Red Carpet treatment
from the staff at Walnut Canyon National Monument.
DeRay steps out as we hike the
West Fork of Oak Creek, south of Flagstaff.
Part of our goal in heading south
was to find spring, and we finally did in Oak Creek Canyon.
Dave Gillette of the Museum of
Northern Arizona showed us his newest display, the skeleton of
plesiosaur from the Cretaceous Tropic Shale.
The group listens to Dr. Gillette
while viewing the display.
Kristen shows lots of courage by
placing herself in these impressive jaws.
Jim shows off the Coups which were
provided to us by Dr. Gillette. Not to shabby, and a shower every
night.
Standing on the steps of the Museum
of Northern Arizona.
Dr. Gillette tells us about additional
plans for the exhibit, including this mosasaur skull.
Dr. Gillette showed us a cast of
a fore-claw from therazinasaur from China (right hand)
and from a recent find in the Tropic Shale of Utah (his left hand).
Our thanks to Dr. Gillette and the folks at MNA for their hospitality.
