This document summarizes geology fieldwork assignments on different rock types found in Sequoia National Park. It describes sedimentary rocks found near a waterfall that were sparkling and speckled. Metamorphic rocks located in a river appeared smooth and colorful from water exposure. Igneous rocks discovered by a waterfall included a rock that split open to reveal an orange interior. The document also provides brief histories of Sequoia National Park and the geological formation of the Sierra Nevada mountain range over 10 million years.

1. GeologyField and Lab AssignmentPart ICheri JaimeDue: July 31, 2011

2. Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary RocksIgneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary are all a process of change that rocks undergo. These rock forming processes move different rocks through different cycles.

3. Rocks! Rocks! Rocks!Sedimentary Rocks: Rocks found in a location were there was once water. They are carried to these places by water, wind, ice, or even just gravity itself.

4. SEDIMENTARYI found these sedimentary rocks on a hike I went on to go see a waterfall. Everything along the way was so beautiful. The first part of the hike consisted of dirt, greenery, wildflowers, etc. As we got closer to the falls though, I noticed that there was beginning to be less and less dirt and more gravel, boulders, and rocks like these. It isn’t very noticeable in these pictures, but these rocks were sparkling! They were also speckled, like salt and pepper. There were many of these rocks everywhere. I found out what kind of rocks these were by studying and feeling their appearance, viewing their location, and reading about/ comparing them to pictures in my book.

5. Rocks! Rocks! Rocks!Metamorphic Rocks: Rocks that have changed over time. Metamorphic rocks are rocks that were once igneous or sedimentary and have changed shape, size, color, etc., due to a change in the earth’s crust.Change can occur by pressure from wind, water, earth.

6. MetamorphicI found these rocks coming down from the hike. These rocks appeared to be metamorphic because of the color and texture, not to mention where they were located (directly in the water). The river was running very hard and it was very wide. The rocks were very smooth and colorful. There were trickles of water flowing over rocks (bottom picture) and I was able to examine how the minerals in the water affect the color of the rocks located in the area.

7. MetamorphicTop Picture: Rock that has split open. The inside was orange with interesting textures.Bottom Picture: Smooth rocks. Appeared to once be covered with rushing water at one point.

8. Rocks! Rocks! Rocks!Igneous Rocks: The oldest type of rock. This rock is found both in the earth and on top of the ground. It is formed by lava. They may be light or dark colored. Rocks may have openings or glass fibers.

9. IgneousI found these beautiful rocks coming down from the falls as well. I threw the top rock against a huge rock and it split open. (I was trying to break every rock that I found incase I would find something interesting on the inside.) Finally I did. I studied the inside and the outside of the rock to discover what kind of rock it was after it was opened up. The bottom rock that I found was located way up by the waterfall. It was in the water.It was so cool!

10. History of Sequoia National ParkSequoia National Park was once traveled by, lived on, and roamed, since as far back as prehistoric times, by Native Americans. The Potwishas, the Wuksachis, the nomadic Tubatulabals, were all tribes that once settled in this national park near the river sides.The King’s River received it’s name in 1806 by Spaniard Gabriel Moraga, who named it after the three wise men. This park was once filled with people in hopes of finding gold in 1849.In 1864 Mt. Whitney was discovered as the highest peak in the park.In 1980 a bill was signed that said there was to be no further lodging in this area because of the past detriment of the land and trees.In 1940 congress had officially created King’s Canyon/Sequoia Nation Park!

11. Geological History of the ParkSequoia National Park Includes a great portion of the Sierra Nevada's mountain range. Mount Whitney is the tallest peak there measuring 14496ft high above sea level. Dozens of canyons surround the park. Most of these canyons are formed of granite rock. This mountain range is not more than 10 million years old. Earths pressure is what has caused the mountain peaks to rise. These mountains have a history of glaciation causing towering waterfalls, craggy peaks, alpine lakes and gigantic glacial canyons, beauty that surrounds us up in Sequoia National Park.Also, there is a cave located in the park that is open for public viewing. It is called Crystal Cave, and it is made up of numerous amounts of different crystals. It is amazing!