The Kaweah River and its forks flow from the Sierra Nevada mountains through Sequoia National Forest before joining together in Lake Kaweah in the Central Valley of California. The rivers were formed over millions of years as snowmelt from the mountains slowly eroded paths in the rock. Various plant and rock specimens found in the area are described, including cocklebur, morning glory, gneiss, quartzite, and granite.

1. Field Assignment Sarah Beach Geol 3 November 17, 2011

2. Three Rivers (Kaweah River) 36°20′12″N 119°13′23″W Kaweah River (Three Rivers) runs 32 miles west from the foot hills of the Sierra Nevada’s into the Central Valley. The rivers, and their forks, flow through The Sequoia National Forest, the rivers then meet in Lake Kaweah. The Rivers and Lake Kaweah are in the valley or what is known as the Foot Hills. All water flow is provided from the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

3. Where do these rivers start? The Sierra Nevada Mountain range goes from Nevada into California. Runs roughly 400 miles North to South. These mountains formed more than 100 million years ago. The earliest Granite found in these mountains started forming in the Triassic period. 4 million years ago they were exposed to glaciers, these glaciers eroded the top exposing the granite. http://en.wikipedia.org

4. Formation of Rivers The rivers along with Lake Kaweah were created over millions of years. This creation took place as melting snow from the Sierra Nevada’s slowly trickled down into a basin. This water flow, over a great period of time, helped to carve paths in the rock. This is why the rocks have such a smooth appearance. The water eroded the rocks over such a long time that they were able to become smooth.

5. Nonconformity- Geological Features The first hill on the left is an example of nonconformity. Sedimentary rock was deposited on top of already existing igneous rock. These deposits of rocks on already existing rocks usually can point to a long period or erosion. Nonconformity can also be found in the Grand Canyon.

6. Principal of Lateral Continuity This is the idea that rocks that once were formed together, but are now separated, remain the same on either side of the separation. This separation can be caused by erosion, which is one of the factors that formed Three Rivers. Sediments can be taken away from this separation and be deposited in other locations such as a basin. http://en.wikipedia.org

7. Interesting Features The rock formations at Three Rivers is very interesting, they all seem to have a band that runs through them. This rock appears to have foliation, a separation of minerals. This rock appears to be Granite, and foliation can appear in Granite. Foliation forms when a frictional drag occurs between sticky magma and the rock wall.

8. Plant life Cocklebur “ Cockleburs ( Xanthium ) are a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to the Americas and eastern Asia”. http://en.wikipedia.org This plant has become an invasive species, and it even threatens livestock, the seeds are poisonous and can make animals sick. Contrasting other members of the Asteraceaes family, this particular plant’s seeds are contained in a prickly pod.

9. Scientific Classification of Cocklebur Scientific classification is used to put species in groups of mutual descendents and common ancestors. Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Xanthium

10. Plant Life Ipomoea (Morning Glory) Ipomoea is the largest Genus in the flowering plant family. This particular flower is usually grown as an ornamental plant. This flower and plant provides food for several different species such as the humming bird, caterpillars, and butterflies. The alkaline properties of this flower makes it less than appetizing to larger prey. These plants have been an important part of life for a long time because of their use in folk medicine.

11. Scientific Classification of the Ipomoea Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Solanales Family: Convolvulaceae Tribe: Ipomoea Genus: Ipomoea

12. Rocks This particular rock was a little difficult to classify. I would say from all of the pictures I saw that this most resembles Gneiss. Gneiss is a hard, banded, metamorphic rock. These rocks were formed from preexisting igneous or sedimentary rocks. Metamorphic rocks form due to intense heat and pressure that cause a change in the existing rock. The banding is caused from minerals being arranged in the cooling process.

13. Rocks Quartzite This rock is a metamorphic rock which was originally Sandstone. Sandstone becomes quartz through extreme heat, usually related to tectonic plate movements. The variation of coloring is based on the other minerals and impurities present. This particular rock can be used in many different applications and is also very common in The Rocky Mountain region.

14. Rocks Granite A very common igneous rock. Usually a course texture with visible crystals. Granite is a wide spread rock, and it has several applications for use. Forms a major part of the continental crust The color differences are due to minerals and present impurities.

15. Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaweah_River http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartzite http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocklebur http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipomoea http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gneiss http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foliation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granite http://www.indiana.edu/~geol105b/images/gaia_chapter_6/unconformities.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_lateral_continuity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Nevada