Golden began as a gold-rush and mining town, although today only the Colorado School of Mines and a memorial or two remain. It packs a considerable amount of world-class geology into its neighborhood, encompassing nearly 2 billion years of geologic history, dinosaur fossils, picturesque rock formations, faults, lava beds, petroleum production, mountains, streams and more. Today's suburban inhabitants of Golden are well served by preserves, parks and other public acknowledgments of the region's geological heritage. This photo tour introduces some of the highlights.
Images 1-12 of 12
- Aerial OverviewThe setting
- South Table MountainLava-capped mesa
- North Table MountainLooking up at the lava ramparts
- Triceratops TrailOne of many fossil marvels
- Point of Geological Interest (POGI)One of the world's great roadcuts
- POGI Site StratigraphyA tilted layer-cake
- POGI PaleosolMesozoic dirt
- Mineralization at the Point of Geological InterestNot higgledy-piggledy ripples
- Dinosaur RidgeCute building, solid science
- Red Rocks ParkEmblematic Ship Rock
- Uranium Roll-Front DepositA rare occurrence
- Uranium MineralsQuite radioactive
- Graphic Index
- Text Index