Ancient Forest revealed

[Michael13]

Another middle of nowhere location in Nevada, this area was once covered by ancient Lake Esmeralda. Over time, sediment was carried into the lake by streams and creeks. This mud eventually hardened into multi-colored layers. Later, the area experienced volcanic activity and the sediment became covered with volcanic ash. Intense geologic forces uplifted the region, creating the current mountain ranges nearby. During the last 2 million years, additional volcanic eruptions further shaped the landscape with basalt flows and pumice eruptions. This area contains the remnants of a grove of petrified trees. In most cases, these tree stumps stand on mounds of solidified mud and look truly out of place in their surroundings. A good place to experience a sunrise.

 

[AlanLichty]

A cool find with some fun geological history. Looks like an interesting middle of nowhere to explore and you grabbed a nice image of part of the place.

 

[JimFox]

What an interesting find Michael. And this is really well captured, which isn't easy when landscapes are predominantly white.

 

[Michael13]

Thanks guys, I spend a good deal of time on Google Earth looking for places like this to explore. So many places, so little time.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Nice find and a cool looking place to photograph. A place one could fly a drone and get quite a few compositions.

 

[Beth]

i don't think i would have guessed that these were old trees, but i can see it now that i know. very cool find, love the old broken stumps sticking out of the rock.

 

[Michael13]

Nice find and a cool looking place to photograph. A place one could fly a drone and get quite a few compositions.

Right on about this place being great for drone work. The sandy bottom is about 200 feet below this image, and it stretches for a mile and a half, with shallow slot canyons and dried multicolored mud mounds all 'round.

 

[John Holbrook]

Very nice image—and a very informative history of the formation.

 

[Kurt Harrigan]

Interesting. Could you let me know the general location on this? I may check it out next winter at some point.....

 

[Aaron Cowan]

That is a really cool spot. Good light and shadows, too, for the photo.

 

[JimFox]

Love that spot, way to work those old trees!