Hills Painted by Earth Minerals
by Leland D Howard
Title
Hills Painted by Earth Minerals
Artist
Leland D Howard
Medium
Photograph - Fine Art Nature Photography
Description
Oregon, central, Geological formations aptly referred to as the Painted Hills in the John Day National Monument area.
The red streaks are from iron minerals that have been oxidized by long exposure to the atmosphere. The golden layers are a mix of oxidized magnesium and iron. The painterly black marks are rich with manganese and each of these colors represent a different geological process. Volcanic layers were deposited 33 million years ago and soil formation processes affected each layer differently. Clays were formed and over time deeply buried thus harding to stone. Underground forces lifted and faulted the strata and created the interrupted symmetry now observed. Each new rain creates another colorful sculpture as the minerals are spread down the hillsides. Plant and animal fossils reveal a very different eco system that thrived here 30 million years ago. Countless fossilized leaves portray numerous exotic plants among a forest now long gone due to climatic and environmental change. Odd shaped animal fossils demonstrate different eras with major shifts in temperature and humidity.
Currently this near desert environment personifies art in nature.
Uploaded
September 27th, 2011
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