Monday, March 2, 2009

Where in the West: March09

For this month's Where in the West, we have the above famous mountain, a mountain that has more than one name. What mountain is this, where is it located, and what kind of geologic information can be deduced from the shape of this mountain? As per usual, the location is somewhere in the western United States.

I'll respond to your answers on this one as quickly as I can. I may be skiing when this post goes through automatically, though, so give me a moment or two. I won't be skiing on this mountain, however!

7 comments:

A Life Long Scholar said...

That is the Sleeping Lady who rests across the inlet of what is now Anchorage, Alaska. Her hair streams off to the left of the photo, her toes to the right. She has slept their for a very long time, awaiting the return of her lover.

The shape of the mountain was carved by the advance of the glaciers which once covered her resting form. While the mountain does have an official name, no one in Anchorage ever uses it, but simply calls her the Sleeping Lady. On a clear day "the mountain" (as they call Denali) is sometimes visible off to the right of the Lady's feet. Off to the Lady's left one can see the chain of volcanoes which, on occasion, dust Anchorage with ash.

PhizzleDizzle said...

SF your pictures are always so beautiful!!!

Silver Fox said...

Good location and story about Mt. Susitna, Life Long Scholar!

As for the geology - the mountain is a particular landform, and indicates a particular geological thing.

And, thanks PD!

Anonymous said...

Flat top = subglacial volcano?

Anonymous said...

Google tells me this is called a tuya. I've seen Herðubreið in Iceland

Geology Happens said...

roche mountonnee? I can never spell that word! And way bigger than the ones I think of in the Colorado Rockies.

Silver Fox said...

Roche moutonnee it is! I have some links saved somewhere - or not. Which way was the ice flowing? Will get back on this later. Have to go snowshoeing now!