6 Questions
What caused the devastation in Yosemite Valley on July 10th, 1996?
Rockfall
What was the wind blast generated by the rockfall compared to?
Tornado
How many people visit Yosemite National Park annually despite the danger of rockfalls?
4 million
What did researchers install on Yosemite's cliffs to monitor rock movements?
Vibration sensors
What geological process is responsible for the constant peeling away of granite chunks in Yosemite?
Plate tectonics
Which natural formations in Yosemite are mentioned as being shaped by ongoing geological forces?
Half Dome and mysterious domes
Study Notes
- On July 10th, 1996, Yosemite Valley experienced a catastrophic rockfall, resulting in chaos and devastation.
- 880,000 tons of rock suddenly dislodged from the cliff face, creating a wind blast as strong as a tornado that uprooted trees half a mile away.
- Despite the danger of rockfalls, up to 4 million people visit Yosemite National Park each year, with many getting perilously close to the unstable cliffs.
- Researchers have placed vibration sensors and seismic stations on Yosemite's cliffs to monitor rock movements, enabling them to pinpoint rockfalls and study the causes.
- The granite in Yosemite is constantly peeling away in huge chunks due to underlying forces originating deep within the Earth, leading to frequent rockfalls.
- The unique geological formations in Yosemite, such as Half Dome and mysterious domes forming in the valley, are a result of the ongoing forces shaping the landscape.
- Yosemite's landscape, shaped by volcanic activity, glaciers, and rockfalls, serves as a natural masterpiece showcasing the Earth's dynamic and ever-changing nature.
Explore the catastrophic rockfall that occurred in Yosemite Valley on July 10th, 1996, along with the ongoing forces and geological formations shaping the landscape of Yosemite National Park. Learn about the monitoring techniques and research efforts to study rockfalls in Yosemite.
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