Crow Buttes EarthCache
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In order to count this Earthcache as a find, you must complete the following tasks and email the answers to me.
1. Estimate the height of the buttes.
2. Describe the color of the sediment that makes up the Crow Buttes.
3. If visible, describe the iridium band on Crow Buttes. How thick is the band? How near the top is the band?
4. Describe the effect erosion has had on the Crow Buttes.
This earthcache is located at a little area just off Highway 83 south of Redig. Here, you can catch a glimpse of Crow Buttes as well as read a brief history about the landscape. There is very little in terms of conveniences in this part of the state, so plan accordingly. Enjoy!
Crow Buttes are located in an area known as the Hell Creek Formation. Occurring largely in Montana, but also in portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, Hell Creek Formation is one of the most famous and intensely studied dinosaur sites. It was in this geological landscape region, near Jordan, Montana, that the fossils of a tyrannosaurus rex were found. Fossils from other dinosaurs and extinct animals have also been found in this region.
Geologically, the Hell Creek Formation is a series of fresh and slightly salt-water clays, mudstones, and sandstones that were deposited during the last part of the Cretaceous period known as the Maastrichtian (about 65 million years ago). At the end of the Maastrichtian period, a mass extinction occurred, commonly referred to as the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event or K/T. This was the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs and other animals that roamed the earth during that time. The sediments that were deposited in this region during that time period were brought in by river channels and deltas and, on occasion, swamp deposits during the withdrawal of the shallow inland sea. Following the extinction of the dinosaurs, the Earth entered into the Cenozoic era, or an era of new life. This change from the Cretaceous period to the Cenozoic period is illustrated in the rock sediments. The rock outcroppings in the Hell Creek formation have a thin, white band near the uppermost strata that marks this transition period. The band gets its white color from the iridium that saturated the area after an asteroid or meteorite struck the earth. Many researchers hypothesize that this event caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Crow Buttes in northwestern South Dakota is an example of the remnants of the Hell Creek clays. In places on the butte, the thin band marking the division between the Cretaceous and the Cenozoic period can be seen. Erosion has also taken its toll on the buttes, eating away at the clay and sandstone sediments.
Geologically, Crow Buttes has an extensive past. Historically, Crow Buttes is also significant as the site of a battle between the Crow and Sioux Indians in 1822. According to the sign, a group of Crow Indians were camped just north of Crow Buttes when Sioux Warriors attacked the camp, destroying it and raping several of the Crows. Naturally, the Crow Indians were outraged and engaged the Sioux in warfare. Leaving the women, children, and elderly behind at Sand Creek just to the north of the buttes, Crow Warriors chased after the Sioux. Wanting a better vantage point, the Crow climbed to the top of Crow Buttes, while the Sioux, seeing them, circled the base of the buttes. Trapped at the top of the buttes without water, the Crow Warriors died. Subsequently, the nearby canyon of skulls (to the northwest) was filled with skeletons of Sioux Indians who died in masses after contracting a fever from the Crows.
NOT A LOGGING REQUIREMENT: Feel free to post pictures of your group at the area or the area itself - I love looking at the pictures.
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