Erosion in the Badlands

As mentioned in previous post, erosion is an important factor in creating the Badlands.  The various soil densities and slopes and the wind along with the water form the land into the magnificent landscape we see.  One of the geocahes we did will there gave some idea of what the forces were.
The cache was the Dillon Pass Erosion or GC1FKPJ.

The ground was level with the top of the benchmark over 50 years ago.

It was based on the erosion around a benchmark placed over 50 years ago on top of a natural mound.  These benchmarks are implanted level with the ground in a hole filled with concrete.  The benchmark is bronze and attached to a medal pipe which is embedded in the concrete.   So for this earthcache I was to measure how far above grade the top of the benchmark was now and then use that figure to determine the average erosion over the time the benchmark has been there.  In this case it was about two-tenths of an inch a year.  That does not sound like much, but in 150,000 years (a drop in the bucket of geological time) that would be over 800 ft.  They claim that in 250,000 years this will be a level plain instead of this gorgeous landscape so in that context two-tenths of an inch in a year as some significance.

An early geologist after visiting the area put it another way.  He said the Badlands are slowly migrating to the Missouri River which is less then a 100 miles away.  So if you don't want to miss some beautiful scenery you better plan on visiting the Badlands soon,

Always at home, no matter where we are!!