These pueblos are built next to sheer walled earth cracks
in the Kaibab Formation (See
Walnut Canyon,
Citadel Sink, and
Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos Earthcaches). These earth cracks
started as part of a network of near vertical northeast- to
northwest- trending faults and joints in the Kaibab Formation.
Joints are cracks that develop in rocks as they are moved by
tectonic forces or when pressure is taken off them by eroding away
the overlying rock. Once a crack formed slightly acidic
precipitation and groundwater widened the cracks.
These cracks concentrate what little precipitation does fall in
the area. The Native Americans took advantage of that and planted
their gardens in the bottoms of these cracks. As part of the
logging requirement send me an e-mail with another way the Native
Americans conserved the precipitation in the bottom of the
cracks.
Logging requirements:
Send me a note with :
- The text "GCZ5JD Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblo Earth Cracks" on
the first line
- The number of people in your group.
- E-mail another way the Native Americans conserved water in the
bottom of the cracks,
- Post a picture that includes your gps by one of the cracks (do
not leave the trail)
Editorial review provided by Sara Hanson.
The above information was compiled from the following
sources:
- Hanson, Sarah L. 2003, Roadside Geology:
Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments, Arizona
Geological Survey, Down-to-Earth 15
Placement approved by the
Wupatki National Monument