Comments on: beneath the lion’s skin - the basalt canyons of central oregon http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/ a place where nature, photography and writing meet Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:42:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: burning silo http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/#comment-8864 Wed, 01 Nov 2006 21:02:03 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/#comment-8864 pablo - There are definitely a number of places of geological interest within driving distance of Eugene. If you're looking for some ideas, drop me an email and I can make a few suggestions. - Wayne - Basalt comes in so many fascinating forms - and Oregon is the place to see a good many of them. I'm not certain about the composition of all oceanic crust, but one seafloor rock that is commonly seen in various places on the west coast is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpentinite" rel="nofollow">Serpentinite</a>. Sometimes, there are great outcrops of it in roadcuts in places where sections of seafloor are now found far inland. Very neat. And you're right, there are very few examples of anything geologically similar on the east coast that is found in the west. That's not to say that there's nothing of interest in the east, but just that it's very different. I think it's neat to try to get our minds around the "time" factor in all geology. As you've mentioned, contemplation of the work of time can be entertaining. When I'm somewhere with unusual geology, I like to sit down for awhile and just try to contemplate what I'm seeing -- how it was made -- what it's made of -- how it must have changed over time. And regarding the photos - thanks! I think it's safe to say that "you ain't seen nothing yet!" I still have a few surprises up my sleeve. (-: pablo - There are definitely a number of places of geological interest within driving distance of Eugene. If you’re looking for some ideas, drop me an email and I can make a few suggestions.
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Wayne - Basalt comes in so many fascinating forms - and Oregon is the place to see a good many of them. I’m not certain about the composition of all oceanic crust, but one seafloor rock that is commonly seen in various places on the west coast is Serpentinite. Sometimes, there are great outcrops of it in roadcuts in places where sections of seafloor are now found far inland. Very neat. And you’re right, there are very few examples of anything geologically similar on the east coast that is found in the west. That’s not to say that there’s nothing of interest in the east, but just that it’s very different.
I think it’s neat to try to get our minds around the “time” factor in all geology. As you’ve mentioned, contemplation of the work of time can be entertaining. When I’m somewhere with unusual geology, I like to sit down for awhile and just try to contemplate what I’m seeing — how it was made — what it’s made of — how it must have changed over time.
And regarding the photos - thanks! I think it’s safe to say that “you ain’t seen nothing yet!” I still have a few surprises up my sleeve. (-:

]]> by: Wayne http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/#comment-8859 Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:53:03 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/#comment-8859 Oh - and by the way, not that "by the way" exactly does them justice, those are fantastic, mystery-loaded pictures. Ain't like anything around here, that's for sure! Oh - and by the way, not that “by the way” exactly does them justice, those are fantastic, mystery-loaded pictures. Ain’t like anything around here, that’s for sure!

]]> by: Wayne http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/#comment-8858 Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:52:04 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/#comment-8858 No, basalt is quite unlike any other rock! Isn't oceanic crust basalt? At any rate, it's certainly not like granite. Concepts of time are endlessly entertaining to me, and the even shallow understanding of what tens and hundreds of millions of years can accomplish when things keep on happening little by little are the reward for that kind of thinking. On the other end of the scale, should we be able to slow down by, say, a factor of a thousand or so, it would be fun to watch plants move about. Not like animals, but movement nonetheless. No, basalt is quite unlike any other rock! Isn’t oceanic crust basalt? At any rate, it’s certainly not like granite.

Concepts of time are endlessly entertaining to me, and the even shallow understanding of what tens and hundreds of millions of years can accomplish when things keep on happening little by little are the reward for that kind of thinking.

On the other end of the scale, should we be able to slow down by, say, a factor of a thousand or so, it would be fun to watch plants move about. Not like animals, but movement nonetheless.

]]> by: pablo http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/#comment-8817 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 23:25:36 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/#comment-8817 I'm going to Oregon (Eugene) next summer. I wonder if I could find a way to head a little to the east. I’m going to Oregon (Eugene) next summer. I wonder if I could find a way to head a little to the east.

]]> by: burning silo http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/#comment-8805 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:39:50 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/10/30/beneath-the-lions-skin-the-basalt-canyons-of-central-oregon/#comment-8805 Dave - Thanks! WR and I are both a little wild over geology and tend to discuss it in terms that fall more onto the literary side than the scientific. It's a bit different way of thinking (and writing) about geology, but often captures the excitement of place. Dave - Thanks! WR and I are both a little wild over geology and tend to discuss it in terms that fall more onto the literary side than the scientific. It’s a bit different way of thinking (and writing) about geology, but often captures the excitement of place.

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