You've Gotta Know When to Fold'em EarthCache
You've Gotta Know When to Fold'em
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This Earthcache is located off of the Bitter Springs Trail Backcountry Byway, a Bureau of Land Management designated Backcountry Byway located about 40 miles east of Las Vegas. To reach the trail, drive north on Interstate 15 to the Valley of Fire exit (Exit 75) and turn south for about three miles. When the road bends to the left, continue straight to the beginning of the byway. You will be crossing rough terrain and deep washes with sandy soils. A 4-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance and good tires is required, and is reflected in the difficulty rating.
Sedimentary rock layers are usually laid down horizontally. Folding occurs when tectonic forces deep within the earth stress and deform the rock layers. The two primary forms of folding are anticlines and synclines.
An anticline is an arching fold which is convex in appearance. In an anticline, the older rocks are found in the middle of the fold. A syncline is a “U” shaped fold which is concave in appearance. Synclines have the younger rocks in the middle. Other folds may include combinations of these two basic types and be structurally very complex.
To log this Earthcache, look at the sandstone layers on the cliff to the northeast and send me an email telling me whether you think this is an anticline or syncline, and your reason for choosing this type of fold.
Additionally, take at least one picture with you and your GPS receiver from within this wash showing the layering of rock. If your picture contains folded layers all the better, but please DO NOT post a picture from the site of the listed coordinates. Post your picture with your log when you log your find.
The above information was compiled from the following sources:
Beffort, B. 2006. Afoot and Afield Las Vegas & Southern Nevada.
Bitter Springs Trail Backcountry Byway. Desert USA Website:
(visit link)
Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary. Diagram of Anticlines and Synclines.
Online at (visit link)
Tingley, J.V. et al. Geologic Tours in the Las Vegas Area. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication 16.
Additional Hints
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