By: magic-gigapans
Image: Joshua Villalobos, El Paso Community College
License: Creative Commons Non Commercial ⧉

Uploaded: 13 Jul 2020
Last Updated: 13 Jul 2020

1.12 gigapixels
114,500 x 9,788 pixels
381.7 in X 32.6 in at 300dpi

A segment of the Northern Franklin Mountains, known as North Anthony's Nose, can be deceiving to the untrained-eye as being a section of complex folds. This appearance of "false-folds" is actually due to the differential weathering of strata that is dipping ~45 degrees to the west (left). This segment of Anthony’s Nose is primarily composed of the Pennsylvanian-aged Magdalena Group. The Magdalena Group is composed, in large part, of alternating carbonates and shales. This alternating pattern of carbonate-shale-carbonate reflects the fluctuating global sea levels that were occurring during the Pennsylvanian Period. The limestone beds are more resilient to weathering while the shales are more susceptible giving rise to the appearance of folded rock layers.