Tag Archives: Geology

A summertime view of the geologically young and rugged Italian Alps, towering above stunning high mountain lakes
c. 65 Million BCE: The Formation of the Majestic Alps

The Alps were formed from the collision of the African and Eurasian plates following the breakup of Pangea, leading to the uplift of sedimentary deposits from the Tethys Sea and creating complex geological structures, including [...]

A seagull at sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, formed around 140 million years ago from a rift in Pangea that separated the North American and African tectonic plates
c. 140 Million BCE: Formation of the Atlantic Ocean – A Tectonic Tale

Explores the formation of the Atlantic Ocean as a result of Pangea's breakup, driven by lithospheric plate dynamics and massive volcanic eruptions, leading to the creation of the mid-Atlantic ridge and the largest mountain chain [...]

A breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point, featuring the iconic Half Dome mountain as the tallest peak.
c. 155 Million BCE: The Geological Formation of the Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada mountain range is a testament to the Earth’s dynamic geological processes, much of which occur out of sight, deep underground. One key aspect of these processes is the formation of magma, molten [...]

An artistic global map depicting the supercontinent Pangea around 250 to 300 million years ago, showing the initial separation of what would become North America from the northern edge of future Africa.
c. 300 Million BCE: Pangea – The Ancient Supercontinent

Delves into the formation of Pangea, the ancient supercontinent, over 300 million years ago, through a series of continent-continent collisions, highlighting the concept of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener and supporting evidence from fossils [...]

Ancient peaks and canyons characterize the Atlas Mountains, stretching about 2,500 kilometers (1,600 miles) across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia
c. 300 Million BCE: The Geological Evolution of the Atlas Mountains

Explores the formation of the Atlas Mountains, originating from the Alleghenian orogeny 300 million years ago due to Africa and North America's collision, and their later reformation through African and European plate interactions, leading to [...]

Tall, rugged peaks near the village of Saranpaul in central Russia showcase the enduring youthfulness of the ancient Ural Mountains.
c. 320 Million BCE: The Enduring Ural Mountains – Asia’s Ancient Peaks

Examines the Ural Mountains' formation and endurance, highlighting their unique geological history that has protected them from the tectonic activities and erosions that typically diminish ancient ranges, allowing them to maintain significant heights even today

This satellite image shows the ancient, folded, and eroded remnants of the Appalachian Mountains, depicted as brown bands, in the northeastern United States. New York City is visible just above the center right of the image.
c. 480 Million BCE: The Geological History of the Appalachian Mountains

Examines the formation and evolution of the Appalachian Mountains, tracing their origins to multiple plate collisions starting around 480 million years ago and discussing their transformation from towering peaks to the more subdued landscapes seen [...]

This image shows the Pyrénées Mountains, which are both geologically young and ancient, located within Ordesa National Park in Spain.
c. 500 Million BCE: The Geologic History of the Pyrénées Mountains

Delves into the geologic process of mountain-building, focusing on the Pyrénées mountain range. It highlights the range's formation from the collision of the Iberian microcontinent with the European plate and traces its roots back to [...]

This image is an artist's impression of "Snowball Earth," depicting a period in Earth's distant past when it is hypothesized that the planet was mostly or entirely covered by snow and ice.
c. 720-635 Million BCE: Snowball Earth – Unraveling Earth’s Deep Freeze Episodes

Examines the concept of 'Snowball Earth,' particularly during the Cryogenian period about 720 million years ago, where Earth experienced extreme glaciation, and explores potential causes and recovery mechanisms from these severe ice ages

This image displays the distinct stripes of iron-rich and silica-rich rocks, known as Banded Iron Formations, located at Fortescue Falls in Karijini National Park, Western Australia.
c. 3-1.8 Billion BCE: Decoding Banded Iron Formations – A Geological Mystery

Examines Banded Iron Formations (BIFs), which reveal early oxygenation events on Earth, linking them to the rise of oxygenic photosynthesis by cyanobacteria and the subsequent atmospheric changes.