Weathering plays a prevalent roll in how the massive spines at Garden of the Gods obtain the unique often rugged look. In the local climate, similar to ours here in denver, the changes in the seasons are quite drastic. Hot summers and freezing winters play a large role in the shape of many rocks. Take for example the following formation...
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| The effect of frost weathering |
Here there seem to be three seperate rocks, however what is now three used to be only one. Over a long period of time water has seeped into the small cracks, or fisures, of the rocks. Once there, overnight, the water would freeze and in doing so, expand. The fissures grew larger and larger continually splitting the rock. Rocks all over the local area have similar looking splits.
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| Looking closely you can see many of the small fisures here on this rock |
Another way the snow and melt water play an effect is in the obvious basal weathering of certain large rocks. Here water and salt have warn away notches at the bases of these rocks.
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| The guy in this photo is standing to a form created by basal weathering |
Trees and local small plants litter the rocks at the garden. Often these trees' roots will grow into the cracks of neaby rocks altering them. They can move rocks, shift rocks, and with enough time even break them in half. Often times the trees will be responsible for keeping certain rock structures supported because of the grab on the ground. Either way they play quite a role in the park's development.
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| Trees splitting a small rock formation. Camels kissing in background |
Above you can distincly make out a hole at the top of the rock spine just behind the trees. This is an effect cause primarily, like much of the park, by frost and salt weathering. Here, the decaying processes created a cavern like structure and look like two kissing camels. The rock known as the kissing camels is one of the park's defining features.
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| This rock shows one of the more drastic effects of chemical weathering |
In the above picture you can make out areas of the rock that seem to be bleached white. Rather, that is residue of salt coming slowly out of the rock. Overtime this salt will eat away at the rock, and as seen here, put it into some of the strangest places.
Hey Nick! I really enjoyed reading about the weathering of the Garden of the Gods. One of my friend just went there today so I can't wait till she gets back to tell her about the physical geography of the place. The pictures really gave me a great idea of where the water froze and made the garden of the gods the way it is today. Good job!
ReplyDeleteHi Nick. I can't believe I didn't choose to do my blog on Garden of the Gods! Being from Colorado Springs, GOG was just couple miles away from my house and it was the place to hangout! Thank you for explaining the formation of the rocks in the first picture. I am certain that I've climbed up there, stood in between the rocks and wondered how it formed the way it did. Now that you've explained it, it makes sense that the frost weathering is the cause for the splits. As you mentioned, in Garden of the Gods, there are pletiful evidences of basal weathering. It makes good foot steps for climbing the rocks. The Kissing Camels are formed by frost weathering? That explains change in shape of the camels which I observed living in Springs for last 12 years. At the current weatherng rate, I am concerend about the existence of camels because the smaller camel on the right is starting to look like a turtle. The last picture is the Balancing Rock, a popular tourist picture taking site of the park. I always wondered what the whites on the rock were. Now I know. So if you say that the salt is seeping from the rocks, does that mean that the area was under water in the past? Everytime I go there, it reminds me of the scene from Jurrasic Park. Thank you for the good, insightful information. I can't wait to go back again and hop around the rocks!
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