Geologists Solve 150-Year American Mystery of 'Uphill' River
Summary
Scientists have discovered how the Green River in North America cut through the Uinta Mountains, a geological puzzle that has been discussed for 150 years. They found that a process called "lithospheric dripping" likely caused the land to sink and then rise, allowing the river to carve its path through the mountains.Key Facts
- The Green River runs through the Uinta Mountains in Utah, forming a 2,296-foot-deep canyon.
- The Uinta Mountains are about 50 million years old, but the Green River's path is less than eight million years old.
- Researchers from the University of Glasgow studied this unusual river path.
- "Lithospheric dripping" is a process where dense material sinks beneath the Earth's surface, causing the land above to move.
- This process allowed the Green River to carve its path through the mountains.
- The river erosion created the Canyon of Lodore, linking it to the Colorado River.
- This merge changed the continental divide in North America, influencing rivers and wildlife evolution.
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