I’ve posted about the Great Unconformity several times now (and you still must capitalize it), and had the chance to see it when visiting the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area in Las Vegas.

After almost 5 years, I didn’t trust I’d be able to find it again. I decided to search Google maps and sure enough, there it was. Thank you to the wonderful person who put it on the map, and thank you Google for adding it! See the location below.

In the last picture it is in the rocks near the left of the picture where the trail can be seen and the metal sign is standing (zoom in). They are the same rocks layers known as the Great Unconformity at the bottom of the Grand Canyon in an easily accessible part of Las Vegas. You’re welcome.

The Great Unconformity
https://maps.app.goo.gl/THA4SbtdXtqvVotVA?g_st=ic

Refresher:
Tapeats Sandstone - 525 million years old
Vishnu Schist - 1.7 billion years old
Time Gap of 1.2 billion years = The Great Unconformity

#TheGreatUnconformity #LasVegas #FrenchmanMountain #TapeatsSandstone #VishnuSchist #TheGrandCanyon #geology

The Great Unconformity

Left to right on top of my notebook are:
Tapeats Sandstone deposited 525 million years ago in a beach environment.
Zoraster Granite emplaced 1.7 billion years ago.
Vishnu Schist 1.8 billion years ago.

Both of the bottom layers are the roots of mountains that eroded away.

Right where my foot is, the contact between the Tapeats and the Zoraster, there is over a BILLION years missing in the rock record called an unconformity. It was named the Great Unconformity by John Wesley Powell, and yes, you need to capitalize it.

These rocks can be seen at Frenchman's Stop in the Frenchman Mountains outside of Las Vegas, and also at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

#geology #unconformity #TheGreatUnconformity #TapeatsSandstone #ZorasterGranite #VishnuSchist #EarthScientists #rocks #ScienceMastodon