2. Introduction
• This area known as Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area did
not look like it does now 180 million years ago. Once a sea covered the
from Southern Nevada to the Colorado plateau. In this presentation I
will be talking about some of these changes that I was able to notice on
my 2.5 mile hike. Also, I will talk about the wildlife I was lucky enough to
see (Part I). Then I will show and speak about different kind of rocks I
saw and was able to classify as much as I can (Part II). Finally, I will be
documenting one of the three Steno’s Laws and Principles. To add on, I
will identify one of the three conformities I was once again lucky enough
to witness (Part III). As it is very important to demonstrate my early
understanding of the age of the Earth.
3. Red Rock History
• Red Rock Canyon has not always been covered with red, beautiful
mountains. They were once nonexistent and this land was underwater!. Over
time seas receded and the earth’s crust pushed upward to form these sandy
mountains we see today. In the geologic time period identified as the Jurassic,
about 180 million years ago, the region dried out and plants and wildlife
became sparse.
4. Ferocactus
Cylindraceus
(Own Observation)
• Some common names for this cacti is
the California Burrell.
• Many of these cacti are usually
cylindrical or spherical.
• When I was out on the field I was able
find a couple. They all ranged about 1-2
feet tall, all relatively short.
• One factor they all had the same was
they all looked pretty young and
extremely red.
• The many that I saw were either by a
yucca plant or by themselves. I noticed
that the ones growing by the yucca plant
were a lot taller than the ones by
themselves.
5. California Burrell Evolution
• Belonging to the Dicot group and the Cactaceae family it is known to grown as a
shrub.
• It was first described by George Engelmann in 1853.
• This cactus is native to the eastern Mojave Desert and western Sonoran Desert
Ecoregions in: Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah in the Southwestern
United States; and Baja California, and Sonora state in Northwestern Mexico.
• The cactus bears flowers that are maroon outside, and bright yellow inside, with red
or yellow centers on the side that faces the sun. The fleshy, hollow fruits are yellow.
6. Western Fence Lizard
(Own Observation)
• The western fence lizard was by far
the most exciting part of being out
on the field.
• It could not be missed next to the
sandy rocks of Red Rock.
• Sadly, I did not get close enough to
be able to hold it but looked like it
did have overlapping scales.
• To add on, it looked pretty big it had
to be at 2 feet long., his tail is
definitely was gave it its length.
• And it was a bit on the chubbier side
but that did not hold him back from
being extremely fast.
7. Western Fence Lizard
• Also known as Sceloporus occidentalis.
• There diet consists of beetles, flies, caterpillars, ants, other insects, and
spiders.
• Western Fence Lizards occupy a variety of habitats that usually have a
vertical component, and they avoid dense, moist forests and low flat desert
valleys.
8. Yucca Plant
(Own Observation)
• Usually found in people’s front yards,
just with the pretty green part.
• I was fortunate enough to see the
whole thing with the stem and
everything.
• It was about 4 feet tall and about 3
feet wide, almost as tall as me! Sadly
the ones I saw did not have any
white flowers growing on them yet.
• The Yucca Is known for having
beautiful white flowers but
considering it was almost 120
degrees outside I don’t blame them
for being flowerless.
9. Yucca Evolution
• About 30 species in the genus Yucca are found in North America
• The first Yucca to be described was Yucca aloifolia , Yucca gloriosa, and Yucca
filamentosa which both was described by Carl Linné in 1753
• The greatest variety of yuccas live in the Southwestern U.S. where they evolved as
successful semi-desert plants
• Yucca glauca only produces from 20-60 white flowers per stalk.
• It is found from South Dakota down through western Nebraska, Kansas, Nveada,
and Oklahoma
10. Sedimentary Rock
• When I saw this rock I knew right away
that it was a sedimentary rock (at least I
hope I'm right). From my own knowledge
and all of the knowledge I have gained
from this class I was able to distinguish it
by the lines and layers of it on it. Especially,
the layers that I’ve circled you can tell that
from the years that it has been underwater
it has been eroded and weathered into
layers. I was also able to distinguish it by its
color and sandstone texture. Also the rock
was quite brittle making me more
convinced of it’s classification.
11. Metamorphic
Rock
• I was able to distinguish this rick
because of the very small crystals
that I've highlighted, embedded in
them. Also by the little swivels
that it that is caused by the
tectonic movement. I was
especially happy finding this rock
because I really had to pay
attention to detail to be able to
classify it. It took me a while to be
able to tell what it was but I am
sure of it that it is a metamorphic
rock.
12. Igneous rock
• Towards the end of my hike I was starting
to stress out because I hadn’t found
anything that look lie and igneous rock.
There was plenty of sedimentary rock to
chose from but no igneous to be found.
Then finally I stumbles across thee
awesome red igneous rocks. I was able to
tell immediately that they were igneous
because of the very obvious holes in the
rocks that were obviously from the magma
that has cooled and solidifies into the small
pockets we see now. Also I was able to tell
by the very little crystals that is has.
13. References
• Fritz, F. (2014, June 13). Vol 41, No 2 - Yucca Plant and the Yucca Moth - The Kansas School Naturalist |
Emporia State University. Retrieved from http://www.emporia.edu/ksn/v41n2-june1995/
• Jenson, B. M. (2013, July 4). Yucca history. Retrieved from http://www.bennyskaktus.dk/Y_history_UK.htm
• Armstrong, S. W. (2015, October 15). Yucca Growing - How to Care for Yucca Plants Outside. Retrieved
from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/yucca/caring-for-and-landscaping-with-
yuccas-outdoors.htm
• Turner, H. Y. (2008, April 14). Sceloporus occidentalis (Western Fence Lizard). Retrieved from
http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/bio/reptile/lacer/scoc/scocfram.htm
• Huntington, J. (2013, February 11). Pardon Our Interruption. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/sedimentary_rock.htm
• Welson, G. H. (2012, May 13). Pardon Our Interruption. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/sedimentary_rock.htm
