Waypoint 11 - Visited 2/9/02
Samples

Samples 11.1 and 11.2
Sandstone samples collected from rocks strewn about in outwash plain as imaged in outwashplain1(wp11).jpg (note the uniform directionality of the rocks, especially the row of rocks near the rock hammer) and outwashplain2(wp11).jpg (also shows the directionality of the rocks).

Sample Bag 11.3
White sand collected from bottom of sedimentary outcrop.

Sample Bag 11.4
Red soil collected at outwash plain (outwashplain1(wp11).jpg) near surface, juxtaposed next to green soil sample. Imaged in green&redsoil1(wp11).jpg, green&redsoil2(wp11).jpg.

Sample Bag 11.5
Green soil collected at outwash plain (outwashplain1(wp11).jpg) near surface, juxtaposed next to red soil sample. Imaged in green&redsoil1(wp11).jpg, green&redsoil2(wp11).jpg.

Sample Bag 11.6
Samples of conglomerate clasts from outcrop. These rocks are the largest clasts embedded in the conglomerate layer. The conglomerate rock is imaged in conglomerate(wp11).jpg.

Sample Bag 11.7
Resistant rock collected from edge of outwash plain (outwashplain1(wp11).jpg) and imaged in resistantrock1(wp11).jpg, resistantrock2(wp11).jpg.

Description

A large sedimentary outcrop was found at this site. Around the periphery of the outcrop was a conglomerate rock composed of mixed size, well-rounded pebbles. The conglomerate was not extremely strong, and breaking the rock revealed potential endolithic bacteria several millimeters below the rock surface. At the top of the outcrop was a much more well-consolidated red sandstone presumable rich in iron oxide (indicative of a shallow marine environment). This caprock was much more resistant to erosion and often formed cliffs and overhangs over the less consolidated material below. Layering was still evident in this red sandstone and fractures in the rock were not uncommon. The sandstone was fairly uniform over the extent of the outcrop, and the grain size did not substantially change (in contrast with the layered deposits described below). Samples of the conglomerate rock (containing endoliths?) and the red sandstone were collected.

Below the red sandstone cap, the outcrop was composed of layers of sandstone with obvious distinctions among the layers with respect to grain size. Medium grained layers were composed of clasts on the millimeter to submillimeter scale. The layering abruptly changed in several locations where larger clasts were embedded within the sandy matrix. These larger clasts reached diameters of ~1 inch. All clasts were well rounded both on the surface of the outcrop as well as deeper within the rock itself (confirmed to depths of ~1 foot). Grains within the layers were well sorted (with the exception of the large clasts interspersed in some layers) and the large and small grained layers were both very friable. The thickness of the individual layers varied but was on the order of 6-12 inches. In several areas, cross-bedding was very prominent. Several layers were inclined with respect to the horizontal bedding of the majority of the rock. Such dramatic cross bedding is indicative of turbulent flow and/or a change in flow direction during deposition. Samples of the largest clasts within the large clast layer were obtained and numerous digital images of the layers were taken.

Below this layer were (sometimes slumping) deposits of white sand with flecks of iron-rich particles interspersed within it (comprising approximately 10% of the particles). This quartz-rich sand covered the upper ~3-6 inches of the outcrop. Below this depth was a mint-green sandy deposit (pending affirmative identification). Both the whitish and green soils were sampled and imaged.

Below this phenomenal sedimentary outcrop was an outwash plain with a collection of the red sandstone rock fragments strewn across a bed of white sand. These rocks were generally oriented in the same direction (roughly aligned with the large sedimentary outcrop previously discussed) and matched the sandstone caprocks of the large sedimentary outcrop (previously discussed) with respect to color, grain size, composition, and bedding characteristics. Samples of these rocks were taken which nicely exhibit layering within the sandstone, and the rock field was digitally imaged.

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Waypoint 12 - Visited 2/9/02
Samples

Sample 12.1
Sandstone collected from top of vista butte.

Sample 12.2
Conglomerate collected from top of vista butte.

Sample Bag 12.3
Sample of parent material of conglomerate (loose pebbles found in a pile ~1 meter in diameter at top of butte).

Description

Large hill with conglomerate and sandstone at the top. Good vista point along 4WD road. Only examined briefly.

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Waypoint 13 - Visited 2/09/02
Samples

Sample Bag 13.1
Petrified wood found in a pile on the upper rim of the canyon. Field of petrified wood shown in petrifiedwood1(wp13).jpg, petrifiedwood2(wp13).jpg.

Sample 13.2
Sandstone collected from upper rim of canyon.

Sample Bag 13.3
Small rock fragments collected from the surface of the ground at the rim of the canyon.

Sample Bag 13.4
Sample of large clast found within conglomerate rock of canyon wall, imaged in large.clast1(wp13).jpg, large.clast2(wp13).jpg.

Sample 13.5, 13.6 (loose samples, not in sample bags)
Rock fragments collected at rim of canyon.

Sample 13.7
Small shell fossil collected at ground surface at rim of canyon.

Description

An impressive canyon which was incised by fluvial activity was discovered at this location. The canyon cuts through numerous layers of Jurassic sedimentary rock. The walls of the head of the canyon were the same conglomerate rock seen in abundance at Waypoint 11. Along the walls of the canyon, the outer ~3 inches of sediment was the same green material seen at Waypoint 11, and below this layer was the same whitish sand material also observed at Waypoint 11. The same type of rock as seen at Waypoint 11 was also observed in the canyon along the walls (horizontal and cross-bedded sedimentary layers of medium grains and interspersed layers of larger clasts). However, at this location there was evidence of metamorphic rock- one large clast within the sedimentary rock resembled a slate given its fine grain size, definite slaty cleavage, and flecks of reflective mica. Samples and digital images of this clast were collected. Additionally, folded bands were seen in a rock near the rim of the canyon.

Throughout the canyon were numerous interesting geomorphic features due to both water and wind erosion. There was evidence for past pools of water as indicated by remnant shorelines and ripple marks left by the water. More resistant rock at the top of the canyon walls often was less eroded than the weaker underlying rock. These sites must be revisited for further analysis. A large area of scattered petrified wood was discovered near the location where a potential dinosaur bone was uncovered. Also at this site a fossil shell was discovered near the surface of the white sand material littered with small rounded pebbles of various colors and compositions (same materials comprising the large grain beds of Waypoints 11 and 13).

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Waypoint 16 - Visited 2/10/02
Sample

Sample 16.1
Sandstone rock (larger loose rock, not in a sample bag) collected from collection of scattered rocks/boulders as shown in boulderfield1(wp16).jpg, boulderfield2(wp16).jpg.

Description

This location is a wide plain with the impassable (via ATV) mounds to the northwest. Vegetation is minimal. The terrain is slightly undulating and is composed of a bed of red clay littered with boulders to the west. The boulders are layered red sandstone with an average diameter of several feet. Wind erosion is common on the rocks, and samples of the sandstone were collected. Across the 4WD road to the east no boulders were observed but the ground is littered with smaller pebbles. A large resistant rock outcrop is visible on the eastern horizon.

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Waypoint 18 - Visited 2/10/02
Samples

Sample 18.1
Sample of conglomerate rock layer from geologic outcrop.

Description

A large sedimentary outcrop exists at this location. The caprock is consolidated red sandstone with bedding visible. Next is a layer of conglomerate (~2 inches thick) followed by more sandstone (~3 inches), and a thicker layer of conglomerate (~2 feet). The layering of the conglomerate at this site is less distinct than the conglomerate layers of Waypoint 11 from 2/9/02. The clasts are also not as well sorted and tend to be smaller in size than the clasts at Waypoint 11. Samples of the conglomerate rock were collected. Below the conglomerate is a harder white rock covered with a film (~1 inch) of softer flaky mudstone (green layer of ~4 inches width, red layer of ~4 inches width). The outcrop then continues down as it grades into rubble slumps at the bottom of the deposit.

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Waypoint 20 - Visited 2/10/02
Samples

Sample bag 20.1
Gray soil found on the extensive, barren plains of this region.

Sample 20.2
Rock found on bottom of small incised channel cutting through gray plains, possible fossil?

Description

This site was reached via a narrow dried-up riverbed as ATVs were driven through the incised, gravel-laden channel. The riverbed is surrounded on all sides by smooth hills (smaller than the mounds previously seen closer to the Hab) and relatively flat plains composed of gray unconsolidated soil. The soil was barren and lacked vegetation as well as any larger rock pieces. No geologic outcrops were found in this region. A sample of the gray soil was collected from the wall of the canyon and is representative of the soil on the extensive plains/hills as well.

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Waypoint 23 - Visited 2/10/02
Samples

Sample Bag 23.1
Mollusk shells collected at top of hill in large fossil field.

Sample 23.2 and Sample 23.3
Samples collected at small wash area over the ridge from the fossil field.

Description

A sedimentary outcrop faces a canyon at this location. Sandstone littered at the base of the outcrop showed evidence of much windblown erosion seen as pits and alcoves carved into the rocks. Alcoves ranged in size from less than one foot on the smaller rock fragments and were large enough for a person to enter on the main outcrop face. The capstone of the outcrop was mainly the red consolidated sandstone, but in places the conglomerate rock formed the uppermost layer. Similar to Waypoint 18, the sandstone was followed by several alternating layers of conglomerate rock, although the distinction between these layers was not extraordinarily sharp and often the layers of different rock types graded into one another. Likewise, the conglomerate clasts were not well sorted (similar to the conglomerate of Waypoint 18 but in contrast to the well-sorted conglomerate of Waypoint11). Cross-bedding was widely abundant in this outcrop at larger scales than previously observed. Ripple marks on the order of several inches in wavelength were beautifully exhibited as well. The cross- bedding, ripple features, and rock layering were digitally imaged and samples of the conglomerate rock as well as green, slaty, fractured rock fragments which were scattered along the base of the outcrop were collected.

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Waypoint 34 - Visited 2/11/02
Samples

Samples 34.1 and 34.2
Collected from more resistant layer of rock embedded within the red mound as shown in resistantoutcrop(wp34).jpg and resistantrock(wp34).jpg.

Samples 34.3 and 34.4
Collected from rock slide running down side of red mound as shown in rockslide1(wp34).jpg, rockslide2(wp34).jpg, and rockslide3(wp34).jpg.

Sample 34.4
Resistant white rock found in protruding layer of red mound.

Description

This site is a canyon located between large mounds of mudstone. The mounds generally have a gray color but have a tinge of red in areas near the surface. An interesting layer of resistant white rock protrudes from the mudstone mounds. Samples of this white rock were collected. A rockslide of darker rock was also observed on the mound. Samples of this dark rock were collected. The outcrop (including the white rock layer and rockslide) were digitally imaged.

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Waypoint 35 - Visited 2/11/02
Samples

Sample 35.1 and 35.2
Collected from base of large rockfall (outcrop shown in outcrop(WP35).jpg).

Sample 35.3
Collected from base of large rockfall (outcrop shown in outcrop(WP35).jpg).

Description

This site showed several interesting geologic features. Odd-shaped white rocks at the top of large cliffs were digitally imaged. A sandstone rockfall was examined and sampled. This rockfall was composed of rock derived from the upper caprock outcrop and showed evidence of wind erosion (pitting in the rocks) and ripple marks were observed (although at a smaller scale than Waypoint 23).

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Waypoint 36 - Visited 2/11/02
Samples

Sample 36.1
Collected from caprock of layered outcrop depicted in layering1(wp36).jpg, layering2(wp36).jpg, sharplayering1(wp36).jpg, sharplayering2(wp36).jpg.

Sample 36.2
Collected from red layer depicted in sharplayering3(wp36).jpg, sharplayering4(wp36).jpg, sharplayering5(wp36).jpg.

Sample 36.3 and 36.4
Collected from green layer depicted in sharplayering3(wp36).jpg, sharplayering4(wp36).jpg, sharplayering5(wp36).jpg.

Description

This large outcrop of well-stratified sedimentary layers is composed of red mudstone and clays typically capped by sandstone. Smaller red mounds of the mudstone are littered with sandstone debris derived mainly from the caprocks. The red sandstone is much more fine-grained than the sandstone seen at previous Waypoints (mainly to the east of Waypoint 36). The boundaries between the layers of the outcrop are very distinct and sharp, and the layers themselves are horizontal with not much directional variation. Cross-bedding was not observed at this outcrop. A conglomerate layer exists just below the sandstone caprock, but the layer is smaller than the layers seen at previous Waypoints, and also the clasts at Waypoint 36 are significantly smaller than those previously observed. Based on the above observations, one can infer that this outcrop was deposited in a quite calm water environment. Turbulence was absent, allowing the layers to deposit in their horizontal, well-defined fashion. There was not much water movement at significant velocities, and hence the larger clasts in the conglomerate are missing since bigger particles cannot be transported in slower flows, Because the water was not moving rapidly, finer particles could settle out of the solution and hence produce the finer grained sandstone. A sample of the fine-grained sandstone, green and red mudstone (from the outcrop layers), and digital images were obtained.