Dallas Chastain studied Warthan Creek near Coalinga, California, making two trips after rainfall and when dry. Samples of rocks and plants were collected, including sandstone, granite, quartzite, the desert sunflower Geraea canescens, wall barley, and a tarantula. Observations revealed patterns of erosion and evidence of an unconformity in the sedimentary layers indicating a period of erosion. Minor separation in the ground could represent the early stages of lateral continuity developing over time.