By: magic-gigapans
Image: Scott Johnson ⧉
License: Copyright, All Rights Reserved

Uploaded: 9 Jul 2020
Last Updated: 9 Jul 2020

825 megapixels
27,249 x 30,261 pixels
90.8 in X 100.9 in at 300dpi

This rock, named after geologist Charles Van Hise, is a National Historic Landmark. Between two layers of quartzite - vertical here - is a layer of phyllite that has been sheared because of its sandwiched position. As the entire unit of rock folded into a large syncline, the stronger quartzite layers slid past each other - like the pages in a bending phone book. From the orientation of the foliation in the phyllite, Van Hise realized he could determine the structure of the overall fold. At the time, it was a big idea - small-scale features in an outcrop can tell you about large-scale structures that aren't as easily observed.