These materials were put together as a part of virtual field camp (GEOSC 497, summer 2020).
Elk Basin Stratigraphy Section
Below is a 3D model of the stratigraphy at Elk Basin. This was surveyed with a drone in June 2018. The oldest stratigraphy covered (far right end) is the contact between the Elk Basin sandstone (Kteb) and the Telegraph Creek Formation (Ktc). The model doesn't include the Elk Basin sandstone, but you can still see the ridge it formed. The model covers up to part of the Judith River Formation (Kjr) on the far left end.
To explore, click the 'play' button in the scene. You can zoom in by scrolling your mouse wheel, or by pinching out. Rotate the model with the left mouse button (or one finger on touchscreen). Pan around the model with the right mouse button (or two fingers on touchscreen). To just view the geometry of the outcrop, click on the 'model inspector' in the bottom right corner, and change to 'Matcap'. You can change back to true color by clicking 'Final Render'. I recommend loading this in full screen, by clicking the arrows in the bottom right corner.
To explore, click the 'play' button in the scene. You can zoom in by scrolling your mouse wheel, or by pinching out. Rotate the model with the left mouse button (or one finger on touchscreen). Pan around the model with the right mouse button (or two fingers on touchscreen). To just view the geometry of the outcrop, click on the 'model inspector' in the bottom right corner, and change to 'Matcap'. You can change back to true color by clicking 'Final Render'. I recommend loading this in full screen, by clicking the arrows in the bottom right corner.
360 Panoramas of Elk Basin Stratigraphy
To navigate, click the center button to load the panorama. Click and drag with your mouse to look around. Use the + and - buttons in the top left, or scroll in or out to zoom. Click the square button (top left) for full screen view
I took these panoramas in June 2019 in Elk Basin using a Panono 360 camera on a monopod.
I took these panoramas in June 2019 in Elk Basin using a Panono 360 camera on a monopod.
Ke: Eagle Formation
Ke Panorama 1
First, look across the slope to where you see black, layered rocks underneath white. What lithologies are they? Do the beds continue into the valley?
Look down and on the slope that I am taking the picture on. What lithology am I standing on?
You can also look upsection of the black layers. Which units are resistant to erosion and which are not? Which beds are continuous, and which pinch out?
Look down and on the slope that I am taking the picture on. What lithology am I standing on?
You can also look upsection of the black layers. Which units are resistant to erosion and which are not? Which beds are continuous, and which pinch out?
Ke Panorama 2
This panorama was taken from a different part of this field site, but was roughly this stratigraphic position. As you navigate around, what different lithologies can you see? Sedimentary structures?
Next, look down hill (on the slope near the cars). The white layer is still in the Eagle Formation. What could that white layer represent?
Next, look down hill (on the slope near the cars). The white layer is still in the Eagle Formation. What could that white layer represent?
Kcbb: Big Bentonite of the Claggett Formation
Kcbb Panorama
Directly underneath the photo location is the Big Bentonite. What does the texture look like? You may be able to see small flecks of other colors and rocks in there. Note that there is no vegetation on the bentonite. If you look across the valley, you can see the bentonite exposed there as well, showing up as an unvegetated white-tan unit at the bottom of the Claggett slope.
Kc: Claggett Formation
Kc Panorama
This panorama is taken at the base of the Claggett Formation, just above the contact with the Big Bentonite. If you look downhill, you will see the white-tan bentonite without any vegetation. You will see the same pattern in across the valley.
Look uphill. What layers are resistant to erosion? How does their frequency & thickness change as you move up the slope?
Look uphill. What layers are resistant to erosion? How does their frequency & thickness change as you move up the slope?
Kcp: Parkman Member of the Claggett Formation
Kcp Panorama 1
This panorama is taken at the base of the Parkman Member. What lithology is the Parkman? What kind of sedimentary structures are visible? Try to find the Parkman on the other side of the road.
Kcp Panorama 2
What lithology is the Parkman? What kind of sedimentary structures are visible? Is this a ridge former or a valley former, and why?
Try to find the Parkman on the other side of the road.
Try to find the Parkman on the other side of the road.
Kjr: Judith River Formation
Kjr Panorama
Look uphill, and try to identify the different lithologies that you see. What is their color, thickness, and morphology?
Look across the road and find your stratigraphic position. What does the stratigraphy look like upsection?
Look across the road and find your stratigraphic position. What does the stratigraphy look like upsection?