GC76FCV Owl Canyon: Unconformity
Type: Earth | Size: Other | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: Memfis Mafia @ | Hide Date: 05/30/2017 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N40° 45.931 W105° 10.501 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
               

---

Unconformities

At this location you can see an angular unconformity. Unconformities are gaps in the geologic record that may indicate episodes of crustal deformation, erosion, and sea level variations. They are a feature of stratified rocks, and are therefore usually found in sediments (but may also occur in stratified volcanics). They are surfaces between two rock bodies that constitute a substantial break (hiatus) in the geologic record (sometimes people say inaccurately that "time" is missing). Unconformities represent times when deposition stopped, an interval of erosion removed some of the previously deposited rock, and finally deposition was resumed.

Commonly there are a few types of unconformities distinguished by geologists:

Disconformity

A disconformity is an unconformity between parallel layers of sedimentary rocks which represents a period of erosion or non-deposition. Disconformities are marked by features of subaerial erosion. This type of erosion can leave channels and paleosols in the rock record. A paraconformity is a type of disconformity in which the separation is a simple bedding plane with no obvious buried erosional surface.

Nonconformity

A nonconformity exists between sedimentary rocks and metamorphic or igneous rocks when the sedimentary rock lies above and was deposited on the pre-existing and eroded metamorphic or igneous rock. Namely, if the rock below the break is igneous or has lost its bedding due to metamorphism, the plane of juncture is a nonconformity.

Angular Unconformity

An angular unconformity is an unconformity where horizontally parallel strata of sedimentary rock are deposited on tilted and eroded layers, producing an angular discordance with the overlying horizontal layers. The whole sequence may later be deformed and tilted by further orogenicactivity. A typical case history is presented by the paleotectonic evolution of the Briançonnais realm (Swiss and French Prealps) during the Jurassic.

Paraconformity

A paraconformity is a type of unconformity in which strata are parallel; there is no apparent erosion and the unconformity surface resembles a simple bedding plane. It is also called nondepositional unconformity or pseudoconformity.

To earn credit for this Earthcache, please email me with the answers to these questions. Please do not include answers in your visit log.

1. Are the layers parallel?No
2. How many layers do you see?2 or more
3. What type of unconformity are you looking at?Angular unconformity

---

References

• Monroe J.S., Wicander R. & Hazlett R.W. (2007). Physical geology: exploring the Earth. Cengage Learning. p. 267.
• Dictionary of Geological Terms. New York: Dolphin Books, 1962.
• University of Indiana. (2016). Retrieved May 30, 2017, from http://www.indiana.edu/~geol105b/images/gaia_chapter_6/unconformities.htm
• Neuendorf K.K.E. (2005). Glossary of Geology. p. 73. ISBN 9780922152766.

05/29/2019 By KRABONK
Auf dem Weg von Wyoming nach Colorado haben wir hier einen Stopp eingelegt und den Cache gesucht und gefunden.
Danke sagt das Team Krabonk
Thanks you for the cache

04/03/2019 By Snipermedic
Yay! Our first find to start off our random geocaching road trip. Grabbed the mini cachers, Lil Dinoman and Lil Chubchub. Grabbed nana, Dragonlover13 and hit the road. We shall see where our travels take us! Thank you for this cache!

04/03/2019 By dragonlover13
Starting our geocaching road trip. Out with Snipermedic, LilDinoman and LilChubchub Figured we would grab some Colorado caches to kick it off. Where we are going... no idea!!! Will send in the answers.

03/01/2019 By farrtom
I have driven by here a number of times for work but finally had the time to stop for the cache.
I couldn't figure out how to get to GZ so I just pulled over along the road as close as I could get.
TFTC - answers sent.

09/18/2018 By J&LA
Pretty view on a wonky little road. Having 2 Owl Canyon ECs in that one general area was convenient. TFTC #3916

08/05/2018 By 2lablovers
Stopped for this earth cache on our way to Red Feather Lakes. Wanted to get closer but road is marked private. Interesting formation. Answers sent.

07/31/2018 By animjason
I LOVE finding Earthcaches, so I was happy to see two so close to each other on my route to Batel Ranch. I was going there to help with the shooting range at a Youth Girl's Camp. They loved shooting the .22s.

I was surprised how busy this road was, especially with semis and double load UPS trucks. Glad this is a very wide road. Very cool terrain here, thanks for pointing it out. Answers sent.

Adding a photo too for good measure. Very beautiful spot.

Thanks Memfis Mafia! Logged Owl Canyon: Unconformity from a ninth galaxy using c:geo!

~ Geocache Find #9953 ~

04/11/2018 By doglover&pups
Took a short cut through Owl Canyon and looked at some formations. TFTC

01/27/2018 By Honeybuzzed
Headed up to beaver meadows with the fam to do some tubing today. Stopped to ponder the geological wonders on the way home. Thanks for the informative eart cache.

10/07/2017 By iatravlr
Extremely interesting formations. I agree that it was a perfect day to get out and find an Earth Cache or two. Never been on this road before. It was surprisingly busy with traffic.
Responses to questions emailed to CO.