Millions of Years Right Before Your Eyes by bmac62
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Description
...Entering John Day Fossil Beds in Eastern Oregon.
LEFT 2/3rds OF PANO: Fossil rich...
Imagine standing at the bottom of a long mountain valley, here, just over seven million years ago. A lush blanket of grass covers the length of the valley, swaying wave-like in a dry, light breeze. A few trees are visible. Nearby, four-tusked elephants graze playfully, ignoring a passing hyena hunting prey. The sound of munching grass comes from a wary herd of horses.
Suddenly, a distant thundering explosion shakes the land. Birds burst from the grasses into the sky. Soon, the inhabitants settle down, as you wonder about the source of the explosion.
Less than an hour later the valley to the east quickly fills with a glowing, tidal wave of fiery volcanic ash, gases, and debris. This onrushing cloud of death flows down the valley toward you at high speed, engulfing and incinerating all life.
It is well you were not there. Successive ashfalls from the volcanic eruption, over 80 miles to the south, covered the region. A fiery deposit, an ignimbrite, settled into that ancient valley bottom, welded, and cooled into a thick layer - the rimrock you see atop the mesas above. Just under that layer is the ancient valley bottom. The mountains and hills that held that valley have since erroded down leaving the hard, resistant ignimbrite layer, and valley bottom, high in the sky.
Named after the nearby ranch, the tilted, buff-colored layers are part of the Mascall Formation. The deposits of volcanic ashfalls came from multiple directions about 15 to 12 million years ago, covering and fossilizing plant and animal remains. The fossil record here reveals a savannah-like landscape. There was enough rainfall and fertile soil to foster the growth of lush, nutricious grasslands and mixed hardwood forests, much like those found today from Illinois to Ohio.
NOTE: Text above from the sign in the lower left hand corner of the pano...
RIGHT 1/3rd OF PANO: No fossils...
Here you are viewing the southern edge of flood basalts that issued from scores of fissures (10-25 miles long each) in the earth's crust, covering 62,000 square miles of the northwest. The layers of flood basalts before you are about 1,000 feet thick...but this is another story that I'll save for another time:)
These basalt flows took place between 16.6 and 15 million years ago.
Bill
P.S. Zoom worthy.
"Meandering Along the John Day"
Comments (29)
Faemike55
It's always fascinating to read about situations like this and to be thankful not to experience it first hand Great capture, Bill
dixievb
Sorta puts it all in perspective---thanks Bill--wow---
RodS
A fantastic pano, Bill, and amazing information as well! Geology has always fascinated me - I just love picking up a bit of limestone, and finding a fossilized bit of fern or ancient creature. How many of us stop to think when we dig an interesting rock out of the side of a cliff.... We are the first human being to touch that rock. It has likely been there for millions of years. It's quite humbling, really.
jocko500
wonderful looking
MrsRatbag
Fascinating pano, and a wealth of knowledge in a few paragraphs...you're good at that, maybe you should teach!
bazza
Great panoramic view of the area Bill very lovely, I would have to get down there and gather some fossils lol..
sharky_
Seems like Hawaii and this land is far apart in age ;) Beautiful view and interesting information. Aloha
auntietk
Oh yeah ... full view is manditory! What a mind-boggling place! Such a wealth of information. Love your title. :) And did I mention the pic? Outstanding! (Whatever was I pointing at?)
photosynthesis
Fascinating panorama. A place I've been meaning to visit, but just haven't gotten around to yet...
DananJaya_Chef
jayfar
Almost smack bang in the middle I see the shape of a dinosaur!!! Splendid shot and info Bill.
durleybeachbum
Breathtaking! I LOVE the finger!! And a superb photo. That info is very poetic..someone did really well to write that. I was trasported.
blinkings
Terrific pano and story/info Bill.
T.Rex
Excellent work with stitching together this panorama. No easy vertical lines allowing for adjustments. Almost looks like it's been filmed on a tripod and selective frames stitched together. Beautiful and challenging motif. Amazing amount of different geology in this image. Makes one aware of how little one is, and how short a time one is a visitor on this planet. And, considering the geoligic upheavals, IT will take care of US, and scarecly the other way around. I suspect the only man-made things to survive such upheavals would be the great pyramids ancient civlizations have left behind. I enjoy the "dinosaur" arm pointing to the right just above the sign. :) Keep up the good work. Man, you must have a huge library of photos by this time! :-)
dakotabluemoon
Wow that is amazing stuff and to think this is in a world we all live on and thanks for bringing this to us for some of us never get to see such sites as this.
wotan
Beautiful shot and place!
cfulton
I have just educated my children with the original Disney's 'Fantasia' , this brings the dinosaur scene into the present. History at various levels! Clive
debbielove
Wow! Bill, magnificent presentation!!! Award winning picture, which it won't.... But I am going to Fave it.. Well done.. Just a great, great image! Thanks. Rob
helanker
WOW! What a panorama and one feels tiny, when looking at this view. ANd it is not to imagine how it must have been living there and suddently DIE there like that. SUperb panorama shot, Bill.
awjay
beautiful scape
goodoleboy
Wonderful color, clarity, texture and light and shadow play in this superb panorama, Bill. And I thought at first that you were the author of that dramatic text.
npauling
Well I am glad it has cooled down now to give us this wonderful view. A super panorama capture of this immmense scene. Thanks for all the info.
danapommet
Outstanding educational narrative Bill. Excellent pano and very zoom worthy. Do we get to see what Tara was pointing at? An instant fav my friend.
fallen21
Splendid view & shot.
flavia49
marvelous view!!
sandra46
GORGEOUS IMAGE
0rest4wicked
This is a great narrative accompanied by a stunning shot!
jendellas
Thanks Bill for the interesting info, wonderful capture!!!
tennesseecowgirl
I had not heard of this place before, thanks for sharing the information and beautiful photo.