Geology in Slow Motion: Arches National Park May 30, 2010

I want to make a request here. If there are any geologists among the masses of those who read this blog, please drop me a note to let me know if my facts are sound. If my narrative is correct, tell me how much it warms your heart to have me enlighten my readers about a subject that is near and dear to you.

Ever wonder how those huge balancing rocks appear on top of other rocks? Check out the picture of “balancing rock" in Arches National Park. No, this rock was not placed there by some divine force, or the Parks Service, or Steven Speilberg as a prop for his latest adventure movie. As it was explained to me by a friendly park ranger, “its geology in slow motion” .

In simple terms, water is absorbed faster by the rocks above which is more porous than the layer below. This part of southern Utah has of lots of rock strata that was formed over millions of years. The upper strata are not as dense as the compressed lower strata. When it rains the water goes through the upper strata and stops and pools when it hits the dense lower strata. When this happens erosion occurs between the layers. Once the water cuts a slight ridge between the layers, more rain and the winds begin to slowly do their work. Repeat this over a few million years and you wind up having a symmetrical and ever deepening space between the layers. Thus, one rock appears to be balancing on the other. As the ranger said, we see the results of" geology in slow motion".

Arches is all about erosion. There are over 2000 arches in this rather small piece of real estate. Arches is also about light and the amazing colors that are seen depending upon the way the light hits the rocks. For those of you who care, Steven Speilberg used Arches as a backdrop for his opening scene in "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Check out Harrison Ford running for his life in front of the two giant arches.