Fly to “Moenkopi/Chinle Formation, Virgin Utah”. Two formations, the Moenkopi (Early-mid Triassic) and the Chinle (Late Triassic), make up the majority of Triassic deposits in the midwest. Explore the photos in the area and click the name of the placemark to see three images. The first rock sample is from the Moenkopi formation and is a very fine-grained clastic rock; the second is from the lower Chinle formation and is made of pebbles and cobbles.  What is the rock type sampled from the Moenkopi formation?

Zoom out! What kind of river cuts through Canyonlands?

Cenozoic Era

What time period does this describe?

If you laid out geologic time as if it occurred in a single calendar year, when would you expect human history to be recorded?

What is a likely protolith for this rock?

Which of the following data sets are NOT helpful when deciding the historical fit of the continents? (i.e the configuration of the supercontinent) Mark all that apply. Consider Alfred Wegener’s evidences for continental drift.

What is a likely depositional environment during this time?

What is a likely explanation for the changes we see in the fossil record (like at House Range) at this time?

In what environment does this rock type typically form?