Some friends of mine got it into their heads that they wanted to visit an ophiolite. As a reader of John McPhee's geology books, I thought "of course, what could be more distinctively Californian?" But as I researched and visited likely field sites and did some reading, the subject grew more and more complex. So let me share an outline of what my friends and I are contemplating in this new article on ophiolites. They aren't something you can pull over by the road and point to; they must be delineated and inferred.
California has lots of ophiolites. This photo is from the Trinity Ophiolite, but I think I'll take my friends to the Del Puerto Ophiolite.
Peridotite, Trinity Ophiolite — Geology Guide photo
Comments
I wish I lived in California and could go on some of these trips with you!!
The peridotite outcrop photo is great; it improves considerably in Photoshop after one brings it up in Levels and decreases the contrast (the bane of digital photos) and brings up the mid-tones.
I am eager to share with you the enhanced image, along with thoughts on the micro-gallery of closeups from which it might benefit. But I cannot find an email address for you (other than the generic About.com non-geology address).
May I learn how to submit bright ideas to the master?
D Smith, PhD, Prof Geol Ret.
Thanks, I’m fine with the image I have.