Yosemite

A. Yosemite is made up of spectacular glaciated granite.

B. Yosemite has a geologic history that can be discerned in

II. The beauty of Yosemite today has a history.

Scientists can see history in the rocks, the formations,

and the geologic activity of the area.

B. We can see these formations from Valley View.

III. The age of the rocks is important in determining their formation.

A. The oldest rocks are 450 million years old.

1. Yosemite had a different landscape.

2. Yosemite was affected by the atmosphere and radiation.

3. Yosemite was part of North America, and North America

was part of the supercontinent of Pangaea.

During the Silurian period, oxygen increased in the

C. Rocks of Yosemite were thrust above the surface of the sea

350 million years ago for the first time.

2. These were transformed by intense pressures and high

3. These form the encirclement of Yosemite today.

IV. Yosemite and the Sierra was eroded to a low, gentle landscape.

A. This was during the Permian period.

B. This was when a second period of mountain-building began.

There is evidence for these successive periods of uplift.

2. There is evidence for the breakup of the Pangaea which

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Category: Science - Y