A series of Questions for our Geologists.

I can do a search on GeoRef if you give me some specifics such as geographic names or mines in the area. Unless a general search on "Ecuador" or "Northern Andes" is fine with you. I can then export them into a text file and post here or email them to you.

Is it a plunging anticlne, edge? It has the right shape (pointy on one end), but the flat-lying geology is odd. Unless it's not exactly flat-lying. I couldn't find any structural data for Chandler Mountain, AL.Here's an image of the Sheep Mountain anticline in Wyoming and I thought perhaps it was somewhat similar, minus the flat-lying geology: This message has been edited by roxrkool, 02-07-2006 04:52 PMJust wante to add a link. There are some fabulous structural images HERE showing the significant influence of structure on topography.This message has been edited by roxrkool, 02-07-2006 04:57 PM

That's what I thought at first, but the top of the hill is flat and there appear to be flat-lying features visible even in Googlearth. This was perplexing, until I found the interactive geologic map of Alabama. It states that the feature is part of the Allegheny Plateau province which is characterized by flat beds. The Valley and Ridge province, where I thought we were, is mostly to the south and east of this area. Yeah, there are plenty of those in the area that I mentioned to Jar in central PA. Used to drive through there all the time and actually did some mapping in the area. That's why I referred to it earlier. It shows pretty clearly the V&R topography.By the way I spent some time with the dregs last night.

Ah, I should read up on the Valley and Ridge province a little more. Even the surrounding geology and structure makes it look a plunging fold. Neat stuff.Good talk at dregs? Is that the Christmas party you went to?At work, we recently got the news that we will be returning to minerals research. No more (or very little) environmental stuff. Another swing of the pendulum... but hopefully not the axe.

Yeah, well, I used to live there ... unfair advantage. I even did a research paper on the relationship between Blue Ridge and V&R provinces. And then the transition to plateau is pretty distinct, farther north.This message has been edited by AdminJar, 02-08-2006 08:12 PM

Thanks Rox,I'll try and dig up some geocoordinates on the area I'm interested in. A generic "northern Andes" will have too many different zones to be of much use (and be mostly volcanic at that - the Tabacundo area is interesting because it doesn't appear to be entirely volcanic in origin if I'm reading the strata correctly). I may not get back to this until Saturday, but I just wanted to say thanks for the offer.

Hey Rox,I guess I can withdraw my request. Turns out the stuff I thought in cursory examination was limestone is actually a loosely consolidated volcanic ash called "ceatito" in spanish (maybe "ceatite"?). In any case, it's a white layer of ash that is upt to 1.5m+ in depth around the area. So no uplift of early seabed, just (another) volcanic deposit. Still makes neat layers, tho'.Again, thanks.

Okay. If it's in the Tabacundo area of Ecuador, I only found one reference anyway, but it did mention pumice beds. Let me know if you need something else. Cheers.