Possibly Future Outcome of Southern Nevada



The geography of Southern Nevada is very unique. It is characterized by a daunting desert landscape with incredible mountains that tower above. Horses run amongst Joshua Trees and Mojave turtles hide in their shell from predators. History can be seen in the layers of the mountains. Plate tectonics have pushed the Keystone fault upward creating a panoramic vista in Red Rock Canyon. "The red color of some of the outcrops of the Aztec Sandstone is due to presence of iron oxide or hematite. Exposure to the elements caused iron minerals to oxidize or “rust,” resulting in red, orange, and brown-colored rocks. Areas where the rock is buff in color may be places where the iron has been leached out by subsurface water, or where the iron oxide was never deposited."(1) Humans have also created a mark on the landscape by creating the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead as well as the doomed city of Vegas.

Mount Wilson from the Keystone fault.

 

 





Bristlecone Pine estimated to be 5000 plus years old.

10,000 years from now the mountains may be at higher elevations than they are at now. The Keystone Thrust fault will continue the path of a reverse fault and push upward along the Wilson fault. The canyons and walls of Oak Creek and others such as Lovell canyon will increase in steepness and height through the pressure applied by the faults. The sedimentary layers of Mount Wilson show millions of years of past history and will continue this tradition into the future.  Along with this internal tectonic pressure being applied; weathering will cause rock formations to change. In red rock canyon state park the current rock facades will experience erosion from storms and flash flooding. Also if humans continue to use the water as we do it will be gone. Humans will most likely still be living in Southern Nevada at this time. Higher up on the arid mountains a Bristlecone pine that is a sapling today will still be towering above the desert below, most live around 4000 years and last much longer than that.

 

Red Rock Canyon

 

 

 

1 million years from now Vegas will be long gone as well as perhaps the water sources of the area. In just the last sixty years Lake Mead has significantly lowered in volume. Evidentiary to this is the rings that serve as water lines. The towering Mount Charleston will be make a even bigger rain shadow than before since it will be taller. Snow and perhaps glaciers will be the main source of water for the desert below. The desert and sand that surrounds the mountain may be a source of sand dunes. Wind may blow sand along into the arid mountains. The plate tectonics pushing the mountains up may create this opportunity for a entrapment of sand in higher valleys.



100 Million years from now Southern Nevada may be part of a new coastline. Although unlikely, a earthquake and the plate tectonics such as the San Andres fault may split California off. I predict 100 million years from now that Mount Charleston will be close to being a 14000 foot mountain with glaciers forming. Again the thrust fault I believe will continue to push the mountain higher.



Change is the only constant in life. As the desert wind blows and whips the sand it shapes the rocks and thus the future. The internal forces of Earth will also continue to play a pivotal role in Southern Nevada. The dichotomy in the desert.

 

 

References

Pictures courtesy of William Canipe

1. http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/redrockcanyon/geology-highlights/