How did the Rocky Mountains Form?

Nick Zentner | March 30, 2023
2023 Downtown Geology Lecture Series. Lecture 2 of 4. Recorded at Morgan Auditorium in Ellensburg, Washington, USA.
• Baja BC A to Z - Winte...
www.nickzentner.com/
0:00 Chalkboards
37:43 Slides

[@Owlbet]

At 64 years of age, I've spent a lifetime in a career I love....accounting. Then on November 30, 2018 at 8:29 AM a 7.1 earthquake struck Alaska. After shaking off my rattled nerves I went on a mission to find out what happened to the earth beneath my feet. Now, almost five years later, I've come to the realization that my career path should have been geology. I am completely and utterly fascinated about earth beneath my feet. I will be retiring soon. I'm toying with the idea of going to school to get just a basic degree in geology even if I never work in the field.

[@ChrisConner1]

You and me both.

[@paddlefar9175]

That would be pretty cool if you did that!

[@michaelclark5626]

Do Not just think about it, do it.

[@wendybarbe9221]

Follow what you love

[@thirstyfajita4115]

Do it dude, life is too short. Do what makes you happy, especially if you have the money to do so.

[@robertmarshall6638]

As a professor and academician myself, I can with relevant experience say that Nick Zenter is a rare and exceptional lecturer, scholar, leader, and thinker. He is the best of the best. When you come across someone with his talents for conveying information and knowledge, listen and watch carefully. They are wise and caring. This is the caliber and character we should demand for the highest offices in the land. The Nick Zentners of American should be in charge. FInd them and vote them into he highest offices in the land. Do not settle for less. It is the only hope for this nation. With great admiration and respect. Thank you Nick Zenter. You are an amazing scholar and leader.

[@turkfiles]

Truer words have not been spoken. A great tribute to a man who has inspired thousands. He gave us much needed relief and enlightenment throughout the COVID period. Can’t do much much more for humanity. Nick is such an inspiration.

[@PlayNowWorkLater]

Wholeheartedly agree. And I’ve seen a lot of professors at my time getting my University degree. A1 teacher here.

[@Pre_K]

Geology has fascinated me for years. Still I'm picturing a large pig swimming in jello. "I'm not retarded but I like rocks" -Kill Tony on KZbin 2023

[@NathanKohler-nanomagnet]

❤a❤-❤8😢.❤/ I a a❤ mmm DDS Isaac w a😊m

[@GeologyNick]

Thank you Robert.

[@delta12312]

I love how education is so widely avaliable in todays age. Just a click away whereas 15 years ago you would need to spend big bucks on a degree to learn from guys like you.

[@peterallen544]

At 44.12 is a piece of animation I did as a Student at UCSB for Tanya in 1984 or 85. This was all hand drawn in pencil then inked and cell painted then shot with a 16mm Bolex camera on a hand made animation stand. One of three I did with Tanya. Great to see it still being used. Thanks Tanya for letting me get my start in scientific animation… still doing it today.

[@behramcooper3691]

One can get addicted to Nick's lectures.

[@emergentcausality]

You here for your fix too?

[@macgyver5108]

@@emergentcausality our Nick-fix?😁

[@stevewoodard527]

Many have

[@westseattlebikedad]

Every night. I’ve watched my favorites so much that it’s my sleeping noise now, but before I knew the lectures word for word I would be up until 03:00 in rapt attention.

[@jodiuhron1979]

Yep! Same!

[@brentm9848]

I spent 10 years in university getting 4 degrees and live nowhere near the Pacific Northwest - and i had no interest in geology. During covid I stumbled across one of your lectures, and got sucked in. Not really because of the content, but because of the teaching technique. You are one of the best instructors I've ever encountered. You make a subject I'm rather neutral on engrossing and entertaining and understandable. I've watched almost every lecture you've released dating back to terrible lighting/video quality - and I've enjoyed every one. Nick - thank you for renewing my interest in learning in the university lecture style. You are an amazing teacher.

[@Chance-ry1hq]

It seems to me your passion is sitting in a classroom. Now, thanks to KZbin, you can do it in the comfort of your very own home.

[@richardmourdock2719]

I thank God I am a geologist and retired. It gives me the opportunity to watch and re-watch Nick and such great geologic minds. I'm doing an Idaho field trip along a "suture" in August.. cannot wait. And for what it is worth, I'm not a geo-tech guy, but the old explanation (I'm ten years Nick's senior) of how the Rocky Mountains formed didn't sit well with me. I always though it very unlikely that a submerging plate would go "flat" and give the uplifted needed. Couldn't explain why other than it just didn't seem to make sense. After fifty years, I'm feeling good about my doubts! Yeah Nick! Very well done.

[@russlehman2070]

I'm not a geologist, but the "shallow subduction" explanation for the Rocky Mountains has always seemed ad hoc and contrived to me. The apparent fact that seismic tomography doesn't support it doesn't surprise me at all. From this and other presentation by Nick Zentner, I am starting to believe that the geologic past of the west coast of North America was much more complex than the traditional model.

[@toughenupfluffy7294]

The traditional explanation has been that the Farallon plate started subducting at a steeper angle past the Sevier thrust zone. This would've allowed mantle upwelling to form the Rockies. A nice explanation, but not backed up by the newer seismic tomographic evidence.

[@aldenconsolver3428]

From another geologist, more than any other science I am sure that geology works on things just not setting well leading to advances.

[@glenturney4750]

​@@russlehman2070: I'm not buying this guys explanation on "millions" of years ago. Scientists have no way to accurately figure how old things are unless they actually have something tangible in their hands with a date stamped on it. Their carbon dating method is severely flawed. They talk about how long it takes for coal to form "millions" of years ago, however a father and son team of shade tree scientists took a piece of wood, soaked it in water, put it inside an airtight box that had a heater in it and added pressure into it also, they turned it on for a week, or two and 'POOF!' When they opened the box, the wood was turning into coal, so their theory of "MEELIONS" of years doesn't hold up in my opinion. SO, how do these trees end up so deep below into the earth? I think the answer has been happening in certain states pretty recently actually, we've been seeing stories on t.v. about 'sink holes' opening up in different parts of the world. There was a mining company in Louisiana years ago that was mining salt hundreds of feet below and partly under a large lake. A drilling company had a drill rig floating on the lake and was test drilling for a different type of product. What they did was make a mistake in their calculations and accidently drilled into the roof of the salt mine, which caused the water in the lake to fallow the drill bit down into the salt mine below. The water started pouring into the mine like a jet stream. It was a miracle that all the men working below were able to escape without any injuries or deaths. As the water followed the drill bit, it began to open the bore hole more and more until it was so big, that it swallowed the entire drill rig, then the hole started pulling the trees that were growing nearby the the edge under water and then under ground. The earth swallowed a whole Grove of trees and they sank hundreds of feet beneath. It also emptied all the water in the lake and almost pulled a fisherman and his boat down with it. Hundreds of years from now, some liberal professor will come along, find the wreckage using ground penitrating sonar and swear that "MILIIONS of years ago, man used DRILLING RIGS!" No, just an accidental miscalculation HUNDREDS of years earlier by a guy who wasn't paying close attention and drilled into a salt mine by accident. But those TREES are STILL down there and WILL BECOME COAL. There's sink holes that open up under our feet still all around the planet and swallow trees into the earth. This is how I beleave that wood finds its way underground, gets squeezed under pressure and turned into coal in most likely THOUSANDS of years, NOT "MILLIONS". In order for scientists to be able to accurately calculate "MILLIONS", they would have to take their calculator machine, travel MILLIONS of years back in time, CALCULATE it, then travel BACK to the present time to be able to use it correctly and until THAT'S possible, their calculations are SEVERELY flawed. 👎

[@jimbob4456]

Wait a second now, wasn’t the earth created 5,000 years ago.

[@clarencegreen3071]

Evidence of 35 years in the teaching business: good analogies, efficient instruction, and economy of words. I tip my hat!

[@altheacraig2904]

I am 86 years old and have been watching Nick Zentner's programs for a couple of years now. I have told several people who also live in the KCHA building we live in about this place we call Earth that Professor Nick has taught me! To me, it is so amazing! He is the teacher every person should have! I live in Auburn, WA just over the "HILL" from Ellensburg where he gives the lectures. Thank you very much for all that you have taught me so far! 🧓🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛ My kitties Teo and TwoTwo and me

[@DFWKen]

YOU WATCH ITCHY BOOTS! HOW ABOUT THAT! I almost fell out of my chair last night when you said, "That's where Noraly is now." I've always had a yearn to learn how features on the Earth got that way. I visit and ride the Rockies on my Harley Davidson Motorcycle Camping Trips every year. As I ride, I've wondered how the Rockies formed. They didn't look volcanic to me, although on Trail Ridge Road, there are "lava cliffs" at almost 12,000 ft elevation. And the mountains look totally different in Glacier NP, even though they're part of the Rockies. So I watch your lectures and try to learn. I love it when Noraly goes into teaching moments about geology. She just touches the surface in very layman terms, bit she has kindled my interest enough that I found your lectures. Wish I wasn't so old . . . I could see myself majoring in geology (if I could start over).

[@stevewhalen6973]

35 years of teaching geology 101. You've educated and enlightened many students as well as countless video followers . We all owe you a big debt of gratitude for your amazing ability to make understandable the many fascinating ways of geology . Thank You Nick ❤

[@thomasbyzewski2687]

Thank You for a new view of the Rockies!

[@101rotarypower]

Excited to see this pop up! Watching now ! Thanks:)

[@user-ph9sc9dp2z]

This is the enthusiasm all teachers should have !! I am very impressed how he figured it out and his accuracy is really on point.

[@steveanacorteswa3979]

Nick didn't figure it out, Nick has an open mind and listened to science, because as we who really love science, it's never settled unless it's covid.

[@billcorr9450]

Whoa! Nick Zentner's speech is clean. He verbally illustrates his points with imagery and without the baggage of filler words ("ummm", "you know", "OK, I guess"). A lot better than many professional National Public Radio commentators and hosts.

[@leptonsoup337]

As a university lecturer, I find your lectures to be incredibly inspirational. I aspire to be half as enthralling a lecturer as you, sir. Keep the content coming!

[@briane173]

Nick's a hard act to follow, isn't he. That can only come from love -- love for the subject, love for teaching, and love for his students. And BTW, he suffers no fools. If he sees you're not making the effort to pay attention, he's only too happy to call you out. Good for him.

[@larrywaltman3916]

When a “educated” person like this has bought into the unprovable age of earth as millions and millions of years old I find it hard to believe everything thing else he says. With all his “education” he has ignored the most important history book in existence. The Bible. Genesis 1:1-2 states: 1 In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth. 2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God MOVED upon the face of the waters. Then skip to verse 9. And God said, Let the waters under heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry appear: and it was so. 10. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering of the waters called he Seas. The separation of the continents came after that. Since it is clear from God’s word the the earth is not millions of years old.

[@briane173]

@@larrywaltman3916Thank you, William Jennings Bryan.

[@marks1638]

I would have enjoyed having Nick as my Geology teacher (in any level of education). He makes it fun. He doesn't regurgitate theories he's never seen or explored. He's been there and seen it. Some stuff is still theoretical, but he shows why it can work (or not work).

[@turkfiles]

That is so true! Nick is a gem! I was a geology major fifty years ago when plate tectonics had recently gained acceptance in the US. A very exiting time to be studying geology. Nick takes me back to that era every time I watch one of his live streams or videos.

[@davedavis5809]

He strikes me as a real truth seeking scientist. His book knowledge is quite vast, its fun when he spots an anomaly in the field he gets visibly disappointed with the books.

[@harrietharlow9929]

@@davedavis5809 I like that if he doesn't know something, he is humbe enough to say so. Then after a similar concept comes up in questions later on, he'll give an answer if his research shows a new fact has come up.

[@goognamgoognw6637]

I miss the time when professors didn't waste words, were organized and didn't think geology (or any science) had to be casual to interest the public and when they didn't shy away from presenting tough theories without looking dumb and didn't act like 12 years old. Clearly this lecturer style is not my cup of tea.

[@alexbenwah7312]

⁹]😊

[@sharonseal9150]

You nailed it! I have been here for every lecture of every series from the backyard until today, and this one finally visually cemented the theory in my head. I am a big idea person, and I like to see the essence. Your ability to distill this information in comprehensible form for the untrained geology aficianado is a gift, and one that I am eternally grateful that you continue to share with us. What a journey that geological sciences have been on in the past hundred years, and kudos to all those dedicated scientists who continue to expand and elucidate as we move forward.

[@michaelclark5626]

Sharon You can now take the next step. Look at all the Expanding Earth Videos , Neal Adams, Samuel Warren Carey, James Maxlow, and videos showing the seas covering the continents, and then leaving the continents, and intertwine them with the Videos by Nick Zentner. This is your Top Gun Maverick Moment. Launch !!!!

[@antoniodelrio1292]

@@michaelclark5626 Wait for me Sharon!

[@mikebrant192]

We are retired, bought a motorhome, sold the house, and spend our summers in the Western US mountains. This summer we spent seeing the vertical sandstone upthrusts of Farden of the Gods, the hogbacks of Vedauwoo near Laramie, the chaos of Creede Colorado, the pizzaboxes of Escalante/Grand Staircase and the Arizona Strip, and most of Utah including the OMG of I-70 at Capitol Reef NP and Bryce Canyon. I watched this video as soon as it was released looking for clues about how Garden of the Gods came to be, and then we changed our plans entirely! Thanks, Nick - what a wonderful summer we've had!

[@pjsummers2]

So good to see new lectures from Nick. I enjoy his presentation style. Two thumbs up!

[@joanhyde1745]

I would love to hear more about the formation of the Black Hills since I live there now.

[@JesusFriedChrist]

African American hills 😂😂😂😂

[@Gyuniew]

I need to plan a vacation to Ellensburg and time it when Nick is giving a lecture. You're the best, Nick!

[@beverlyweber4122]

hahahaha Yeah, I was thinking the SAME thing! I am coming up on retirement age, planning to travel and move to Thailand (cheap retirement). Thinking maybe I should fly out of Seattle, and take a little drive over to Ellensburg. I was born in Moses Lake but don't remember it. Might just have to take a two week vacation prior to my flight, thanks to Nick!

[@briane173]

I made a point of driving to Ellensburg to attend this lecture (my bald head is in a sea of bald heads on the left) because it's the first downtown series he's done in awhile and it's intending to put the entire Baja/BC theory in a condensed form the rest of us can absorb in four hours. It was well worth the four-hour drive, plus I toured Discovery Hall which itself is a marvel; the displays and maps and the Earth's geologic time line etched into the hallway there is something to behold, and puts our existence into stark perspective. Ellensburg itself appears to be a pleasant town -- a college town no doubt but it also has the agricultural economy to build off of. I couldn't stay for all four lectures but the one I picked wound up being the most intriguing one.

[@GregInEastTennessee]

I spent a month there in fall 2021 and there's SO much to see there. Wow! I"m going to try to get back this fall for sure!

[@M167A1]

All the fun is in Yakima. It's the Palm Springs of Washington.

[@briane173]

@@M167A1 Nah, _Wenatchee_ is the Palm Springs of Washington now, didn't you know? Nick changed it. Can't remember now which lecture that was but he said we gotta fix the sign.

[@Heritagius]

This guy's an awesome teacher!

[@kayafternoon9045]

Refreshing and enjoyable food for thought

[@robert5712]

Nick, I did my Masters research in the Sierra Nevada working on Paleozoic roof pendent. I made some discoveries finding previously unreported Paleozoic folds within the Nevadan folds and cleavages along with rare intact stratigraphy. Now years later, your videos and presentations have given me new understanding of the significants of my findings. I'm retired and not involved now but hopefully my published work has added to deciphering the tectonic history. Your presentations are wonderfully understanding even for the layman, thank you.

[@SZG65]

Robert, add this in to your understanding: So, basically, the entire Pacific Rim was formed during the last "Feast of Sphenes", which was a terra-forming event said to be how G_d separated the waters from the firmament. Does it fit with your knowledge?

[@conniead5206]

I tried to search for the feast you mention because I never heard of it. Got the Feast of Stephen. He was the first martyr after Jesus died. Obviously nothing to do with the separating of the earth from the sky. It has been a long time since I read Genesis. I looked up firmament too to check its definition. I didn’t check its etymology. I did notice that there was a “vault” mentioned for other biblical definitions but did not pursue that. Unless something like that is part of the meaning of the original phrasing in the oldest known written version, which might be cuneiform, it is from the imaginations of men. The oldest written “Ark” and flood story is in cuneiform. and the ancient tablet was acquired by the British Museum within the last 30 years. Look up Irving Finkel’s “The Ark Before Noah”. Many think Abraham was from Mesopotamia. I theorize the stuff separated from the “sky” was lots of solid objects we call asteroids. Perhaps even larger more rounded objects that might have had a core. Obviously not an already formed planet. At any rate, the “firmament” in the Torah predates the formation of this planet. Your reference doesn’t seem to apply to the subject.

[@joedellinger9437]

This makes so much more sense than the “Farallon plate obducting” story I was taught at Stanford in the 1980’s. And it neatly ties in the train wreck of terranes in BC as a big part of the story. There is just no substitute for hard data! Without the mantle tomography results, paleomagnetism results, there is just no way to tell you are stuck in the wrong mindset.

[@janetm2969]

I LOVE NICK'S TEACHING STYLE!!!❤❤❤ I've watched other geology profs, but Nick Zentner is the best, in my books! 😊

[@horizon42q]

Excellent lecture. Glad I found it. This guy needs an award.

[@philswede]

Greetings from Sweden! I just love your lectures, Sir!

[@devonandrewmills]

I'm just a casual enjoyer of geology...and I cannot get over how fantastic this lecture was. I didn't even know the rockies could be this interesting 👏👏

[@w-ols-7199]

YESSS back to the classic format. I love it. And a topic I wished he'd cover for a while. Legendary.

[@petem6846]

Great to see that these community lectures have restarted in person!! What a wonderful resource Nick is for all of us!!

[@tobyjugg6202]

Mr Zentner's mind is SO clear in understanding that his explanations just make sense !!! I LOVE listening to him on so many topics - his students are so very fortunate to have such a prized communicator opening their minds, not closing them.

[@Bolinsburg]

Nick Zentner, every thing I know about Geology I learned watching your lecture videos'. What I would have given to have had a teacher like you when I was growing up. I surely would have gone into a physical science instead of the medical field. I don't know how but you take as subject I knew nothing about and made it exciting to me. I watch as many of your videos as I have time to set and enjoy one of your lectures. Keep up the good work. A devoted fan Tom.

[@herestoyoudoc]

I worked as an intern at USGS 30 years ago, but I was a software engineer for the mapping division. It never occurred to me that the "G" in USGS was such an impressively multidisciplinary, yet also very deep field. But here we are, everything from manual labor to serious computer science to particle physics and probably at least 12 other disciplines I haven't noticed yet. It's only been the last few weeks that I stumbled upon this collection of stuff you've put together. The way you make this bewilderingly complex field so accessible is amazing, and I hope you keep making these for many more years.

[@OpinionatedCebuana]

A pity I only discovered Nick Zentner’s online lectures in recent years. I am in my mid-60’s now. Rocks, rock formations, fossils, etc. have always fascinated me. Throughout our travels here in Australia, I find Central Australia the most interesting. It has rock formations and dry mountain ranges that looks very ancient. I wish we have an Australian version of Nick Zentner who can tell the geological story of the Red Centre the same way Nick does with the Pacific Northwest. I love your online lectures Mr. Zentner. I will continue to be your follower here in Australia. Please keep them coming. You are giving this retiring girl a new lease of life, learning. More power to you and your colleagues!

[@oldionus]

And could I just say that Nick exemplifies how research is vital and important, but TEACHING, based on highly developed ability to digest complicated information and, even more important, to COMMUNICATE it to nonexperts, is also extremely valuable and not appreciated nearly enough. I hope CWU realizes what a treasure they have in Mr. Zentner!

[@eliaslyman9256]

Awesome video and lecture. Thanks for the information! Love the passion

[@nw-by-n]

Great! Thanks for putting your lectures out here for the public. - A viewer on the Olympic Peninsula.

[@scottmckenna9164]

What a hard working lecturer. God bless you! Fascinating content.

[@R.E.A.P]

I've lived in Washington state all my life and Nick has changed how I see everything I see in the north west!

[@UneducatedGeologist]

I've traveled the world analyzing mountains. Let me save you time. 70% are broken off tree trunks 25% are mining tailings. 5% IDK. Laugh, Ignore or Accept.

[@peterrowe6055]

A great example of how combining disciplines, in this case geophysics and geology, can completely change previously accepted theories. Science at its best!

[@Engineer1980]

Nick, I am late in watching this video, but just wanted to say that you did a masterful job in this lecture presenting the westward subduction model. I have watched all of your A-Z series, including the Baja BC series, but this lecture really made the concept clear and much easier to visualize. Great job! Thank you so much for educating the public, myself included, on the incredibly fascinating story of the geology of the PNW.

[@shallendor]

This is so fascinating!

[@101rotarypower]

Really Enjoyed that Thank You! Have watched every episode since the start, and this really brought all the ideas and concepts together really well !

[@MrJx4000]

This has got to be one of your best lectures Nick--well done.

[@lonpearson2134]

Excellent presentation and intriguing lesson. Thank you.

[@johnplong3644]

This is great review from what I have learned over the last two years

[@thereisnocarolinHR]

I have been waiting SO long for an in depth lecture on this topic on youtube. The Rockies are such a mystery

[@gregmunro1137]

I truly enjoy these videos and always learn something new. Just because I have snow on the roof, doesn’t mean I stop learning. This man makes learning fun- wish he had been one of my teachers!!

[@ericjohnson1811]

What an amazing lecture! Thank you so very much!

[@jmacd8817]

Awesome to see a new video by Nick Zentner. Always enjoy them. Thanks Nick!

[@kicknazz4248]

THANK YOU NICK!!!

[@arlahunt4240]

I sure enjoyed this. I’m glad for KZbin. I am 75 and learning so much about how my world was made!

[@lvstofly]

2nd viewing in 2 weeks. Its complicated! Thanks for the lectures and open point of view. Too many theories are taken as fact when a lot of them are complicated. Its good to save space for fresh ideas. Gives people the freedom to think for themselves and become part of the conversation.

[@johnplong3644]

Ohhh My… rising pigs 🐷 with Jello with Pizza Boxes I am commenting as I am watching this I can feel the Energy coming from the room What I am trying to convey I am fully engage I am listening intently I am fully understanding what Nick is teaching You are one hell of a teacher ( sorry Patrick)Nick

[@heidihall2256]

I'm so glad the lectures are back😊

[@jerryleejohnsonjr1377]

What a treat to listen to. Thanks Nick!

[@tikitiki7610]

so glad to see you!!!!! thank you, thank you

[@davido.newell4566]

Like Mr Medina, above, I grew up at the " tail end " of the S Rocky Mountains, and I was educated by my dad, who was a geologist and a mining engineer: said education having commenced almost 80 years ago. This new information will have to be " thought upon" for a while in order to see how it matches these many years of traditional education; I would love to see more explanation as regards the Sierra Nevada batholith that runs through 400 mi of California and a bit of Oregon. Very interesting, I am a subscriber and a fan! Thank you, Sir;

[@Shatterpath]

That was FASCINATING. I only watched because, as a Washingtonian, our crazy geology is interesting and learning about it tickles my brain!

[@cheapbastard990]

What a wonderful lecture! I am not a geologist but was always interested. I took a couple of classes in college in the 1970s. A few years ago my wife and I visited Colorado and I spent much of that trip looking and wondering about the formations because it didn't fit the usual reasons for mountains.

[@hollybyrd6186]

As always informative and enjoyable.

[@t48wolf]

Absolutely great presentation have so enjoyed this series.

[@peredavi]

Wonderful lecture. I’ve been an amateur student and observer of geology since a boy along Pennsylvania Appalachia mountains, hiking and backpacking there and now home in Bighorn Basin Wyoming. There is some wonderful exposed rock here in road cuts and exposed rocky hillsides and block uplifts . As a pilot I’m a keen observer of the ground topography and patterns. Sometimes I need to look inside the cockpit to take care of business.

[@jasongarcia2140]

I am so glad that I found Nick. I stumbled upon one of his lectures about a week or two ago and I really love thos guy. He talks about one of my favorite areas of the world too. PNW.❤️

[@Vickie-Bligh]

Nick, you are a state treasure. Thanks for the distilling of all of those ideas we learned this winter. This lecture made many of those concepts click.

[@ultrametric9317]

I am also getting the impression that there are fixed features in the mantle associated with hot spots, with generation of a different sort of continental mass, these fixed arcs as you are calling them. This was a great lecture!

[@2Oldcoots]

Greatest Of All Time Geology Lecture!!!!! Even I could understand the basics. Thank You Sir!

[@jccowtown9759]

We are currently on vacation in the Rockies. I’m back tonight to rewatch this lecture so I can try to answer my children’s questions tomorrow. I love your work.

[@shirleydierolf7112]

Today is a new day..finding your recommended lectures. Returned from Newfoundland, Canada this week. I purchased a book while there the Geology of Newfoundland. My whole trip was changed by this...the earths mantle exposed and on and on. I am an enthusiast but this was astounding. I would love a guided geology trip of this place. Took a trip to the west in the 80's and was so intrigued by the rock formations I bought a roadside geology book..returned home and applied to college to major in geology. I wish you had been the prof...I might have stayed with it. I still have the love for learning in my life. Im my business I sell rocks and gemstones. Tik toc has introduced preteens to "stones" and they love it. Good way to getthem interested in science. Its hard to explain the ex citement of Geology!

[@tikitiki7610]

you are such a great professor

[@JJ-oq7tm]

Love, love, love your lecture(s)/talks…. Thanks for posting.

[@Brian-uy2tj]

Very interesting. This is where the science gets really interesting, when something new is discovered, challenges the status quo and adds the our understanding. I always enjoy Professor Zentner's lectures because he doesn't lecture, he draws you in with a mystery wrapped in an enigma, surrounded by a riddle with the promise of an answer at the end.

[@jimfausset8122]

Lived in Colorado basically all my life thank you very very informative great show

[@sissy-_-fnyc]

😂Nick, you are a treasure 💖 Thank you!

[@martineversaul4055]

Oh the old “hog’s back” Laramide analogy!! One of my favorite lectures from some 25 years ago from Nick’s Geology of National Parks class…slightly modified if I remember correctly😂 Still my favorite class/lecturer!

[@greylance473]

If only all instructors/teachers made the subject both understandable, but also interesting. At 72, love your lectures and share with my grandchildren. My masters was in cultural anthropology, but geology plays such a huge part on cultures. You rock, sir!!

[@MassiveWorms383]

This is basically my intro to geology, thank you!

[@hardrockgirl5844]

Great - another installment!

[@jeanmorin3247]

Flying over the Rocky Mountains between Toronto and Vancouver, recently, with a perfect weather to take in the landscape, I could see those pizza boxes all stacked up at angles of about 45-60 degrees. The explanation here is amazingly revealing. This is the shock absorbing effect of the slamming of North America at high speed (1 centimeter a year?) into a mass in the Pacific. That should convince you to always wear your seat belt...

[@texasyojimbo]

I'm for some reason reminded that the crash test dummies are named Larry and Vince. 😀

[@squamishfish]

It’s not only the Rocky Mountains between Alberta and Vancouver, There are other separate mountain ranges , And even west of Vancouver Vancouver island has its own range , And even a little more west the Olympic mountain range of North West Washington State

[@heatherhancock2546]

You are so awesome… Passionate about what you do… Thank you

[@DanielWSonntag]

A great teacher! He can talk about dirt and be absolutely riveting!

[@johnplong3644]

Having watched the Crazy Eocene and the Baja BC from A-Z lectures series made this easy to follow . I am going to Watch some or all of those Lectures again .

[@ariea.devalois1564]

This is awesome, Nick. From Lethbridge, Alberta. 🇨🇦

[@billotto602]

Professor, I'm a 65 year old retired aircraft mechanic but I love your videos. I love to learn new things all the time & you make learning fun. I envy your students. God bless you sir.

[@BaxterTheBiker]

Thanks for posting your lectures. I'm retired from a completely different field, and I appreciate this opportunity to keep learning instead of turning my mind into inactive lukewarm oatmeal. Also appreciated the shout out to Noraly.

[@glennakam]

Just love this explanation of the Rockies formed. Makes so much sense. Always be open to learn new concepts.

[@margomcintyre7242]

You are a fantastic teacher and speaker. I enjoyed, and learned, a great deal from this. Thank you!

[@jbee1011]

Very cool for the shout-out for itchy boots.

[@MakoWoman]

Watching your lectures has really revealed how wildly interesting geology truly is, can’t wait to see more!

[@peppers1587]

I am so glad my daughter and I attended this talk. Thank you again.

[@user-vg8mc5bo2f]

I know right

[@tonicastel2390]

Fascinating lecture & brilliantly presented. Thanks for posting!

[@robertdufour2456]

Thank you, Professor! This is wonderfully fascinating!

[@WahooLee]

My father (born in 1914) often told us "kids" (I'm 70 now) about things he learned during the one geology class he took in college. Listening to your lecture made me wish I had taken geology courses too! I guess it's never too late to learn something new!

[@floorskins1108]

Ole Nick nose,the ages o thyme. Great lecture ,cheers

[@Eniral441]

I love your lectures. You kind of remind me of my favorite geology professor back in the early 90's.

[@IamValentina66]

I gave you a shout out on Earth Master channel who is keeping people updated on the Cascadia fault. I recommended your video Great Earthquakes and also the book you recommended Full Rip 9.0. Hopefully those in the PNW pay attention. You are the best.

[@elliotthough765]

Nick, was fascinated by your talk. I’m not a geologist but as a petroleum reservoir engineer have worked with several geology experts during my career. With this model how do you explain the thermal maturity increase in all the Pigs back sub basins going from east to west in CO, WYO, Utah and NM. The eastern sub basins like the PRB and DJB are in the oil window at least in the Pre Tertiary section and become gassier as you go west in these basins. Then you go west and the WRB, BHB and Uinta are in the gas window. And the SJB kind of includes both. I always thought as the Laramide orogeny progressed through time, these sub basins were being pushed deeper and deeper into the kitchen going from east to west. And at some point they all popped up towards the end of the Laramide 35mya? Also, All the Rocky Mountain peaks in Colo in the area bounded by the DJB, Uinta Basin and SJB are all about 14k’ in elevation suggesting a large slab was uplifted and has since eroded away leaving the present day peaks. Would that area all be one of these pigs backs popping up?

[@SCW1060]

Thank you Nick, you gave us something new to think about