Basic geology of Lake Tahoe

1. GEOLOGY OF THE LAKE TAHOE
BASIN
BY - Garrett Knudson

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INTRODUCTION
I decided to tour around fallen leaf lake’s exquisite waterfall, which
eventually lead me up to Lilly lake, I believe that the terrain in this area
of the Tahoe basin is a bit different from the rest. While walking around
near the waterfall, It is hard not to look up and notice South shores
famous Mt. Tallac I also witnessed numerous types of vegetation, such
as the snow flower, as well as various birds and other animals, such as
the Stellar Jay.

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LAKE TAHOE BASIN FORMATION
▸ The Tahoe basin was formed by a rise & fall in the landscape due to
the three faults that present themselves throughout the lake.
▸ - Incline Fault
▸ - Stateline Fault
▸ - West Tahoe fault
Type to enter a caption.

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FORMATION CONT-
▸ Shifts in these faults as well as routine volcanic activity had
occurred. Shortly after caused an ice age. The Ice melted and
created what we know as Lake Tahoe.

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-The Sarcodes sanguinea. Otherwise known as the snow flower is no more
than a fungus growing off of conifers, or otherwise known as trees.
- The conifer utilizes certain cells that are very abundant found in the soil,
called Mycorrhizae.
-
The conifer uses these cells to bring fourth water to themselves, but in return
the snow flower fungus mooches off of the tree. Without the presence of a
tree, the snow flowers will not be found
FAUNA - SNOW FLOWER

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FAUNA - STELLAR JAY’S
- These birds are typically found throughout North America, but tend to
slightly differentiate by region.
- The Southern Rocky mountains is home to the main subspecies of the stellar
jay, where the birds are found with a longer and larger crest, and other distinct
colors that vary from the stellar jays within the Tahoe basin.
- One can commonly find them scavenging the forest or waiting for your dog
to step away from his food bowl

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INGENOUS ROCK -
GRANITE
- It Formed by periods of increased heat
and pressure, which is then followed by
a cooling process.
- throughout this process an abundance
of minerals is also incorporated into the
rock giving it its unique speckles and
crystal like forms.
-Large portions of this type of rock can
be found throughout north America and
it typically makes up the earths crust
Type to enter a caption.

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METAMORPHIC
ROCK
- One can typically find this dark
grayish rock almost growing out of
slabs of granite.
- Like other rocks, its formed by
process of heating and cooling all while
being pressurized.
- It is derived from sedimentary rock,
although its characteristics are much
stronger
Type to enter a caption.

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BASALT ROCK
- These rocks are simply the cooling off
of lava once it reaches the earths surface
mixed with a few other mineral such as
pyroxene and olivine.
- Commonly found scattered amongst
the ocean floor as well as the Tahoe
basin
Type to enter a caption.

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ANGULAR
UNCONFORMITIES
- Happens when older rock layers begin
to deteriorate and whether and begin to
slightly erode while the disposition of a
new rock layer forms (Lange).

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LAW OF SUPER
POSITION
- Simply states that when admiring the
many ayers of rock, the youngest layer
would be on top or closest to the earths
surface, while the older rock is located
beneath.

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REFERENCES
Anderson, V. (2017, April 12). Stellers Jay. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
animals/birds/s/stellers-jay/
Gauna, F. J. (n.d.). Plant of the Week. Retrieved June 18, 2018, from https://www.fs.fed.us/
wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/sarcodes_sanguinea.shtml
Igneous rock. (2018, June 27). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igneous_rock
Lange, A. (n.d.). Angular Unconformity: Definition & Formation. Retrieved from
https://study.com/academy/lesson/angular-unconformity-definition-formation.html
What are metamorphic rocks? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-are-metamorphic-rocks-0?qt-
news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products