Ask Mr. Geology

Mr. Geology, can you explain the many different layers of rock found at Colorado National Monument?

Certainly. The bottom-most layer of visible rock is known in geologic terms as basal stone. It is formed by tremendous forces in the earth's crust. Then from bottom to top: second stone, layeral rock, and topping rock.

Mr. Geology, how do the beautiful spires form?

This geologic process is know as pointification. Tremendous forces act upon the layers of rock and, in layman's terms, make it pointy.

Mr. Geology, how old are these rocks?

The formations at Colorado National Monument are over 100 years old in geologic time! To make this understandable, if you grew one inch per year for 100 years, you would be over 100 inches tall. Imagine that!

You're so smart!

Thanks for your questions.