The student collected samples near their home in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles. Samples included birds (peacocks and palm trees), which have been in the area for millions of years. The geological history of the Los Angeles Basin details how the area was submerged underwater 15 million years ago, and surrounding mountain shifts caused the crust to stretch and collapse, forming a basin filled with sediment over millions of years. However, the student was unable to find examples of geological principles or unconformities in the local area.