Split Mountain Gorge & Wind Caves

Split Mountain Gorge

Located within the Anza-Borrego State Park is the Split Mountain Gorge. This canyon is unique as it passes entirely through a mountain splitting it into two separate ranges. Located on the west are the Vallecito Mountains, and located on the east are the Fish Creek Mountains. These mountains formed when water drained from Carrizo Bedlands to the Salton Sea. "As the mountains rose over time, Fish Creek Wash continually gouged down into the new mountains creating the Split Mountain Canyon," (Split Mountain). 

Wind Caves

After walking or driving up the Split Mountain Gorge, you can explore the wind caves. Despite the name, these wind caves are not formed from the wind. Instead, these caves have been eroded by water. Due to the lack of uniformity, areas with less cementation erode a little faster than other areas and create depressions. Since the depressions are shaded, they allow water to remain on the surface of the sandstone longer, which dissolve the cement faster. This cycle continues when it rains as it deepens the depression of the caves. 

Reference:

"Split Mountain." n.d, Web. 15 April 2014. 

Mud Volcanoes

Mud Volcanoes

The Imperial Valley also contains mud volcanoes. Mud volcanoes are created by geo-excentrated gases and liquids. They generally are formed in subduction zones, or where convergent boundaries meet and one plate goes under another. They vary in size and can be as big as 700 meters or as small as the ones found in the imperial valley.

Below is a video I took of a mud volcano in the Imperial Valley.

Travertine Rock - Lake Cahuilla

Travertine Rock

Travertine, or tufa, is a freshwater lime deposit. Travertine is found throughout the Imperial Valley as they are remnants of what Lake Cahuilla used to be. Lake Cahuilla was once a fresh body of water that extended over 2,000 miles and had depths of 300 feet (Singer). The Colorado River emptied into Lake Cahuilla for centuries; however, once the Colorado River shifted courses, Lake Cahuilla evaporated into it's much smaller size. Now, geologists can explore the travertine rocks left behind from Lake Cahuilla. Below displays pictures of evidence of travertine rock and ancient Lake Cahuilla.

Reference

Singer, Eugene. Ancient Lake Cahuilla. SDSU, Web. 04/8/14

Preparing to Leave for Field Studies

Field studies are extremely important for geologists as it allows them to observe what constitutes the Earth in a natural setting. This weekend I will be embarking on a three night field trip in the Imperial Valley. Since this will be my first time taking on the role of a geologist, I have a list of things that are important to bring while on a field study.

Clothes

• Shirts
• Pants
• Shorts
• Underwear
• Socks
• Sneakers
• Warm Hat
• Gloves or mittens
• Wind Breaker
• Insulated jacket or heavy sweater
• Swimsuit
• Bandana
• Sun hat

Personal Gear

• Water Bottle
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Wash Cloth
• Towel
• Soap 
• Hand Sanitizer
• Necessary Medicine
• Camera
• Glasses/contacts (if you wear them)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• Toilet Paper
• Hammer to hammer rocks

Camping Gear

• Sleeping bag
• Foam pad
• Flashlight
• Tent

Eating Gear

• Spoon, fork, knife
• Cup
• Plate, bowl
• Pot and pan
• Spices
• Spatula, large spoon
• Soap
• Sponge
• Food

picture of our campsite preparing dinner