The [periods] of the [Mesozoic] [Era] and the source of their names are:
Cretaceous (cre-TAY-shus)—from the Latin word creta, meaning chalky Jurassic (joo-RAS-ik)—from the Jura Mountains of Europe Triassic (try-ASS-ik)—from the Latin word triad, meaning three
The [Cenozoic] [periods] derived their names from an old outdated system of classification which divided all of the earth’s [rocks] into four groups. The two divisions listed below are the only names of this system which are still in use:
Quaternary (kwah-TUR-nuh-ri) Tertiary (TUR-shi-ri)
Although the units named above are the major divisions of [geologic time] and of the geologic column, the geologist generally works with smaller units of the column called [geologic formations]. A geologic formation is a unit of [rock] that is recognized by certain physical and chemical characteristics. A formation is generally given a double name which indicates both where it is exposed and the type of rock that makes up the bulk of the formation. For example, the Beaumont Clay is a formation consisting of clay deposits that are found in and around Beaumont, Texas. For convenience in study, two or more successive and adjoining formations may be placed together in a group. Thus, the Tecovas and Trujillo Formations have been placed in the Dockum Group. Likewise, a formation may be subdivided into smaller units such as members, which may also be given geographic or lithologic (rock type) names.
[GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS] EXPOSED IN PALO DURO CANYON
As noted above, all of the [rocks] which crop out in Palo Duro Canyon are [sedimentary] in origin. They represent four different geological [periods]: the [Permian], Triassic, Tertiary, and Quaternary ([fig. 12]).
Although these [rock formations] differ considerably in composition and age, they do not tell the whole geologic story of the area. Long spans of [geologic time] are not represented by [rock] units because the region was undergoing erosion or no [sediments] were being deposited during certain portions of geologic time. Rocks that had formed during one geologic [period] were removed by erosion during a later period. Thus, segments of the geologic record were destroyed or never recorded. For this reason, much of the geologic history of the Palo Duro area is unrecorded and must be inferred from fragmentary evidence borrowed and pieced together from adjacent areas. Even so, an interesting story can be assembled from the rocks that remain in the canyon today.
In general, the following descriptions of the [formations] exposed in Palo Duro Canyon State Park follow the procedure that most geologists use in presenting the results of their geologic investigations. The more distinctive characteristics of the [rock] units are described in order that they may be more easily recognized, and the ways in which the rocks were formed are also considered. With this background it is then possible to review the geologic history recorded in the bedrock of the canyon. A simplified geologic map is presented in [figure 7]; this shows the distribution of the major rock types in the canyon. The reader will find it helpful to refer to this map when reading the descriptions of the various formations.