Deposition - Erosion by bmac62

Photography • Landscape • posted on Aug 05, 2015

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Description

One day, quite by surprise, we came upon Badlands National Park in South Dakota. One look and we wanted to know what happened here. It is a very long story in geological time. As long ago as 75 million years, the materials for sandstone began to be deposited layer by layer by layer. Every time ancient rivers flooded new layers of sediment were deposited. Wind added volcanic ash. Climate changed from tropical to dry. As recently as 500,000 years ago erosion began to overcome deposition. Rivers began to cut down through the sandstone creating the scenery we see today. Erosion continues taking away about an inch per year. It is estimated that all this sandstone will be gone in another 500,000 years. Needless to say, none of us will be here to suffer the loss of the park. lol.

Comments (23)

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Richardphotos

10:24PM | Wed, 05 August 2015

I drove right by it but decided to go to Mount Rushmore instead as well many other places like Horseshoe Bend. superb capture

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photosynthesis

10:48PM | Wed, 05 August 2015

This amazing view seems to stretch out endlessly towards the horizon, much as it's history & future seem to stretch out endlessly in time. Looks like it would be a very interesting place to hike, assuming the weather wasn't brutally hot or cold...

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goodoleboy

11:33PM | Wed, 05 August 2015

OMG, what a great shot from the State of my birth. I came into this world on the east end of South Dakota, I think just about when the deposition and erosion was beginning; a minor note. Gorgeous depth, contrast and lighting effects depicted of the Badlands, accompanied by that awesome sky, Bill.

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EJD64

11:52PM | Wed, 05 August 2015

A nice place to visit. Great photo.

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Faemike55

2:43AM | Thu, 06 August 2015

I'd love to give it a go for a hike. Great view - a grand vista for sure

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danapommet

2:58AM | Thu, 06 August 2015

OMG Bill! I've read about this area but have never seen a photo that really shows the area as good as your photo. Excellent depth - who knew that it was this big!

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auntietk

4:33AM | Thu, 06 August 2015

You've done a great job of capturing a vast landscape. Studying this is a master class in using the landscape compositionally, rather than just pointing at something pretty and clicking the shutter. Brilliant shot!

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junge1

5:37AM | Thu, 06 August 2015

Great picture, great explanation Bill. I came through there on my way to Arizona in 1973 and got a chip in my windshield of my 1-year old brand new '72 VW Super Beetle while a road crew was putting down gravel on the new asphalt. I was mad. But other than that, it was my first exposure to the many erosional features of the American West.

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SunriseGirl

5:57AM | Thu, 06 August 2015

Thanks for sharing this great photo and information. :)

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Domi48

6:44AM | Thu, 06 August 2015

I visited also this area, very special. Picture is excellent!

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jayfar

6:46AM | Thu, 06 August 2015

Great info Bill and an awe inspiring landscape.

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blinkings

10:35AM | Thu, 06 August 2015

What a beauty.

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CavalierLady

2:26PM | Thu, 06 August 2015

Ha! I was just reworking a couple shots from my archive taken there. I think I must have stood in this same spot. Great shot, Bill. :)

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durleybeachbum

4:03PM | Thu, 06 August 2015

So good! I could have done with pics like this when I was doing A level Geography.

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helanker

4:51PM | Thu, 06 August 2015

What a fabulous view and shot, Bill. It is simply breathtaking and I loved the info too. Amazing all in all. !!!

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MrsRatbag

5:44PM | Thu, 06 August 2015

I can't imagine coming upon this landscape in a covered wagon. Think how your heart would drop and depression would set in facing the planning it would take to navigate this! Beautifully photographed, Bill!

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jendellas

6:22PM | Thu, 06 August 2015

How beautiful is this place. xx

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moochagoo

7:51PM | Thu, 06 August 2015

I never have been there. Nice colored rocks !!!

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kgb224

8:07PM | Thu, 06 August 2015

Amazing capture my friend. God bless.

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sossy

11:16AM | Fri, 07 August 2015

what a stunning wonder of nature! impressive and amazing also! saw a report on tv last week! ;o)

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RodS

12:42AM | Sun, 09 August 2015

What a spectacular shot this is, Bill! Wow! I recognized the place immediately - this is one of the most amazing places I've ever visited! Hopefully we'll see it again this fall - I could spend hours upon hours here filling up SD cards. I would pay good money to be able to fly the Inspire through here - cruising through all those miniature canyons would make for some fantastic video.... But all National Parks are no fly zones... Bummer.

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