This is another one of my ongoing projects. West Texas, and especially the Big Bend area, which includes Big Bend National Park, has long been of great interest to me. Unfortunately, it is a long way from the places I've lived over the past several decades, and I haven't been able to get out there nearly as often as I would like. The current material is from trips my brother, Randy, and I took in May, 2006 and June 2007. We drove a number of roads and hiked a number of trails, examining the geology on the way. We both took pictures with our digital cameras, so quite a few of the photographs shown here are his, although not always credited. Hopefully, we will be able to get back there and gather more material in the years ahead, allowing me to update and expand this virtual field trip.
The geology of West Texas is incredibly fascinating - even unique. And, because of the dryness of the Chihuahua desert, which is nevertheless subject to infrequent episodes of intense erosion, the geology is exposed and readily visible. Erosion is the real star of the show in Big Bend National Park and its environs. Millions of years of weathering and differential removal of the rocks emplaced by volcanic and sedimentary processes, has resulted in the creation of the area's incredible topographic features and the revelation of its unique geological history. This virtual field trip is a sort of slide show with notes. I have made considerable effort to be as accurate and up-to-date as possible. Constructive comments and criticisms are welcome - even solicitated (fredfern@texarkanacollege.edu). I hope you enjoy the show.