Is This Natural ???

[@myroncook]

Thank you for watching my videos. Would you consider supporting me through Patreon? Click on the orange icon at the end of the video. Thanks!

[@Theranthrope]

Considering that these objects are from a geological stratum which was, at the time, a shallow warm-water sea, my first guess would be that these are fossilized stromatolites. Even their interior ring structure is consistent with fossilized stromatolites. What eliminates this as a possibility?

[@justaguy6100]

I truly enjoy rational, realistic analysis of geologic features like this. You'd have tens of thousands of views if you'd claimed it was ANY kind of fossil, and I'm constantly giving those the "don't recommend" treatment. Here's to reality ruling the day. We need it to.

[@myroncook]

Looks like a stromatolite but it is made of sandstone. Also in wrong kind of formation.

[@inkpacker01]

This was a really great informative and entertaining video. You’re work is greatly appreciated!

[@cynmcmillan382]

What I wouldn't give to follow you around for a week or two while you talk about what you see and how it came to be. I would never be able to keep up with you due to mobility issues because of a stroke I had about 15-20 yrs ago. I worked really hard to get back what I lost from it and almost have it all back, but my age caught up with me, 67, and try as I might I don't think I can recover all of it. But I do wish that I had had a teacher or someone with your knowledge that maybe would have awakened this new found interest in all things geology. I live in the SE corner of Arizona now where there is such a huge amount of rocks and minerals, I am 35-45 miles from Morensi, one of the biggest copper mines in the USA and every time I get to go out in the desert I am amazed at how many colors I find just laying around on the desert floor. I love it here!

[@RobertJl9516]

Around 1964 deer hunting in the high Sierra Range my brother and I was standing on a large granitic rock that was smoothed by glaciation with what looked like a school of black fish swimming together. I was about 14 and my brother 16 and we were amazed and tried to figure out what occurred. I remember we did see flow structure but of course being kids and standing on solid rock couldn't figure how that could be. That planted the seeds of geology and both of us became geologists. Thank you Myron for keeping the interest and wonder of geology alive by your fantastic videos and skill at creating an interesting story.

[@myroncook]

What a fun story!

[@holly50575]

👌💙

[@craigthorn3190]

For a number of years I took photographs of similar objects embedded in the face of Mt. Rubideux in Riverside, CA. The appearance was of the layers of an onion with a similar spherical center. The diameter of the remaining forms, most of which were eroded to some degree, was about 2 to 5 meters. Central spheres which were exposed contained a black or deep brown blob or substance or occlusion. At the time I surmised that since it was once seafloor that oil blobs may have been rolled in currents forming the sphere and eventually the larger layers formed around it. I am grateful that there is an explanation. What surprised me mostly was that regular visitors passed by these structures witbout ever noticing them. As I photographed them folks would enquire what I was doing. As I explained my purpose it was rewarding to see them take notice.

[@ttsuter87]

This is the good side of KZbin. Simply wonderful. Thank you for your efforts and success Myron! Can’t wait to see another video!

[@infinitecosmos935]

The Bob Ross of geology. Painting a picture that we never even realized. Thank you Myron.

[@ldawg7117]

Mr Rogers first came to mind for me, but then I also thought Bob Ross could work too,. He kind of has the qualities of both, which is one of the biggest compliments I can give.

[@wmb5240]

After 300 million years .. my ball finally dropped ..

[@victtorhenriqueferreiradas7472]

Myron's videos are great. I would like to see him with Mudfossil University together, it would be a great Team :)

[@TomTwain]

@@victtorhenriqueferreiradas7472 Myron is a nice guy and offers a good explanation, but it has too many hypothetical variables... not really conclusive. I think Roger would wrap this up in seconds as biology... and I'd find it hard to disagree.

[@DarkMetaOFFICIAL]

if i fall to my death from a rockslide: happy little accidents 🪴😃

[@andrewcockburn3227]

I’m so glad that the algorithms put this channel on my feed suggestions. Geology with Myron is interesting beyond belief!

[@myroncook]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@TheSail2222]

Me too! - I only came across Myron Cook today!

[@gregiles908]

I REALLY like your presentation style. Reading the suggestions, with respect, and then eliminating them through evidence was excellently done.

[@smellycat249]

This is one of the best KZbin channels. Thank you so much for teaching and showing these amazing geological features.

[@myroncook]

Wow, thanks!

[@inyobill]

Even KZbin at its best?

[@TJ-o7f]

Mount Rushmore is a giant petrified tree stump and the earth is a giant mine pit. This old man is an arrogant dipstick. All rock are petrified organic matter

[@TheSail2222]

Agree totally!

[@TJ-o7f]

@@myroncook deleting comments you don’t like ?

[@Sloptit]

Im a sophomore in college and taking Geology 101 right now and since its all online, this particular professor dosent have lectures. Just read and answer questions. You just made so much so much more clear to me. Excited to have found these vids and plan on watching a bunch to help supplement school stuff. Thank you.

[@myroncook]

That's awesome!

[@laurenvillalobos1864]

It's a fruit and seed petrified

[@randomconstructions4513]

*stone fruit* @@laurenvillalobos1864

[@SimonHergott]

That tells you a lot about the education system. It's a waste of money and inferior to what you can learn for free. Stop feeding the corrupt system and drop out. If everyone did so the system would be forced to correct itself and bring value back to those who are, right now, stupid enough to pay for it.

[@jeffreybail353]

they dont teach you this in schools kids or should you say the rockafella indoc.

[@ulfricstormcloak5080]

As a geologist I can’t agree more with your initial opening point of seeing more when outdoors. Everywhere on earth holds so much information and can tell so many stories but most people can’t appreciate it. Very glad I grew up with a dad who’s a geologist and taught me the ropes at a young age which sparked my interest in geology

[@358tfs]

I majored in geology at the University of Alabama, graduating in 1972. I loved it and did well. But I was in ROTC and they shipped me off to pilot training. After an Air Force career followed by another in the airlines, I retired and found geology again. I still love it and your videos are helping me relearn it as well as learn exciting new things. Your love for geology is apparent in every word, image and diagram, and your teaching skills are extraordinary. Thank you.

[@T.oMiller]

A million year old Hole in one?

[@Segma369]

اضن انك خسرت سنوات حياتك ،حيث لم تتعلم ماذا تكون هذه الثمره المتحجره🕵️

[@DoyleHargraves]

Thank you for sacrificing that love to defend our freedom.

[@LaughingblueSu]

One of the round spheres of Costa Rica?

[@garyb6219]

@@tysonsmudfossiladventures3468 Phoney is right.

[@maryjaynemay3410]

Yes! I’ve seen smaller versions of these on a KZbin video on the Irish sea coast that’s got these things weathering out; these ancient mud balls with secondary spheres inside them that often have a petrified crab or mollusk inside. One term used I’ve heard is “pregnant rocks”. Awesome find! It’s HUGE!!

[@allenschmitz9644]

Ancient Poki Mon balls.

[@williamchamberlain2263]

​@@allenschmitz9644def

[@billybob945]

Mudfossil university and Tyson’s Mudfossil Adventures provide insights on these being biology, the remains of some giant remains of some creatures? Interesting take anyways.

[@shockwave326]

they all were created in the z pinch effect kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4HGd2dmq6eksNU lots of great electric geology here,,,,, something is lifted off the ground in supersonic winds during these events that is charged in opposition to the particles in the air around it attracting them to the crab or thing pinching all around it in searing heat and then deposited on the ground once the winds subside after the thunderbolts have stopped

[@ElectricalExistence]

they were created in ancient electrical storms.

[@insederec]

Me, who knows very little about geology, was thinking concretions the entire time. What a great way to explain the concept, hearing out and ruling out all theories even though you likely knew the answer immediately.

[@laner.845]

Your description of the "seed" is exactly how clouds form. Some microscopic particle (dust pollen, ash, etc), called a cloud condensation nuclei, will be the focal point for water molecules to start attaching to something and building into tiny droplets light enough to stay suspended as a cloud. When they keep growing, it turns into rain. So cool to see so many parallels in the sciences.

[@BikingVikingHH]

The parallels are not found in the sciences, they are found in the natural world

[@Jane.Doe.]

@@BikingVikingHH Absolutely agree with you 100%

[@rannnoch]

@@BikingVikingHH because sciences are founded off observations of the natural world... or at least they are supposed to be

[@duncan94019]

Thanks, Myron. I love your videos. I've loved geology since my first geology course in 7th grade. Unfortunately, that was in 1958. Fortunately, I'have done some reading and taken a few recent field trips. And your videos are an important part of my continued learning. Obviously, with over 60K subscribers, I'm not alone in you being an important source for education.

[@myroncook]

Never too late to learn...I like your attitude!

[@atomictraveller]

@@myroncook in the rincons above saguaro monument east above tucson - the light (granite?) is almost like a parking curb and continues about the same distance around the back, like a giant concrete pipe, stuck in the black rock (granite??). amusingly, the shadows to the left of the curb hint that there are three evenly sized steps in the rock kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJC7XoqJndtpn5Ym25s the next image.. sandstone wall mysteriously sweeps perpendicularly across gully. earlier in there i have a quartz vein with a 90 degree angle and a third vein at 135 to both. but that concrete curb is like a fairy garden.

[@morallycorruptmaleficentti1194]

Hell yeah! Ive been waiting to come across a channel like this! I took a geology class in college and ill never get over it. It was the coolest class ive ever taken and i was debating whether to switch majors bc i loved it so much! Unfortunately i didnt and i think about it every now and then but watching your videos makes me feel like im back in that class and that brings me a lot of joy so thank you Mr. Cook!

[@myroncook]

thanks

[@rosellaguajardo7301]

Knowing the final answer from the start but eliminating other possibilities just to teach others patiently is your geological gift, Sir. Tuning our eyes into detectives.

[@myroncook]

thank you

[@xmo552]

@@myroncook If my dead body were left out in this environment, is it possible that I may become a concretion in 100 million years?

[@blaze1148]

....once you realize there is no such thing as Geology only _Biology_ you will get far closer to the truth.....these are *not* seeds either.

[@francinemiranda8409]

You, sir, are an exceptional teacher! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@blaze1148]

@@xmo552 ...far less time than that - timescales of millions of years are total BS.

[@leswoodburn5764]

Beautifully explained, thanks a lot. More please of these great videos!

[@grinandferret]

Me: Whaaaat?! Is that a concretion inside of a concretion?! Whoa! Myron: It's a concretion! Me: "Concreception." Nailed it!!! (Thank you so much for all of the epic geology lessons! As a rockhound, I find all of this fascinating and extremely useful knowledge!)

[@loueckert4970]

I love these lessons. Taught in a way to gain your interest and learn. His students are extremely lucky to be influenced by Myron.

[@bobcarter5994]

Well paced, high quality, and very educational. That drone zoom-out shot was amazing and was a great way to explain what was going on.

[@postyoda]

This the best thing on KZbin by far for me. I got interested in Geology a couple of years ago and have always wanted to learn how to interpret landscapes; but applying what you learn from textbooks to what you see around you and making the appropriate associations is kind of a talent that I lack. So these videos are like field geology lessons in landscape interpretation and they are all fascinating. They also incorporate something that I learned in my childhood reading Chekhov's short stories: that for a story to be good it doesn't need to be dramatic; often the best stories are the ones with subtleties and nuances that create the greatest impressions since the reader feels like an active participant in making of meaning. So some examples used by Mr. Cook here are very ordinary-looking features that have very interesting stories behind them. In William Blake's words "the holiness of minute particulars."

[@myroncook]

Thank you so much. I love creating narratives in geology

[@Find-Your-Bliss-]

I hope you are a writer because I would love to read your ideas. So good to meet you here.

[@chrysopylaedesign]

I really appreciate how you pulled back on the geologic terrain & gave a great overview of the overall geology you were exploring; giving excellent context to the geologic phenomenon you were discovering. It allows the layman viewer to really get a greater understanding of the geology that would otherwise take more formal study. I'm surprised that this technique isn't used more generally in other geological programs. Well done.

[@lorirober2536]

Just found your channel. Just watching this video makes me feel so much smsrter. Thsnk you for imparting your knowledge and wisdom with so much kindness and patience. Look forward to watching soanyore of your videos!

[@itsnotthesamething]

My first thought was, "I have a rock like that!" It was given to me by an elderly man my mother knew. He thought it was pet wood, and he gave it to me because I collected rocks and fossils I found around my area, in Tennessee. I always thought it didn't look like that to me, so I finally posted pics on a rock ID page on facebook, and it was identified as a concretion. Mine is about as big as the small ball underneath, and cut in half. So the ball part has a sandstone feel to it, but the sliced part is solid and smooth. Pretty cool!

[@Shadoweknows76]

It's the ball joint part of an ancient beast or giant. Like the knees or shoulders.

[@carlspitfire1388]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJmulXalgNeke9k tell me this isnt pet wood.

[@CraftAero]

@@Shadoweknows76 OMG, yes... a stone concretion could ONLY be an anthropomorphic representation. I'm thinking aliens planted it here as a diversion.

[@Chiamex]

This was so fascinating. At first, I thought it was some type of geode. I don't remember learning about rock concretions, so I was excited to learn something new. It's a profound feeling to walk and think about how the landscape, including rocks, was formed so very many eons ago. I hike a lot along the southern shorelands of Lake Ontario and can't help but bring home various stones and wonder about how they were created and how they ended up here. To be fully "awake," we humans need to know lots of history, including the history of the earth. Thx.

[@myroncook]

nice

[@lornaperryman489]

It reminded me of a geode also but I did wonder why only half

[@BikingVikingHH]

And more importantly, the history of the human species, and the many sub species (races) that are alive today.

[@Chiamex]

@@BikingVikingHH yep!

[@Jane.Doe.]

Yes, and not the "His story" lies taught to us from birth.

[@alexander-it6mx]

Fascinating, but I was left wondering one thing only! If these spheres of "cement" are growing layers radially over time, then why do we see horizontal layers on the split examples? For an example the ones at 12:24 and 22:58. Great video!

[@lisajahn6839]

Thank you all for making and sharing these wonderful entertaining and educational videos! Be well, stay, safe.😊

[@HobbiesHobo]

I've found concretions that are very similar except the inside "Ball" was only the size of a Baseball in Canada's high arctic, north of the mainland (The arctic islands). I was working as a helicopter mechanic supporting all types of research as part of the overall, "Polar Continental Research Project". This was back in the early 1990's . Your video was really well put together. Thank you. Mike.

[@hellgarvesfaroeste5477]

Nice chanel myron congrats from portugal💯👍

[@KevinRCarr]

Once again, Myron performs that time warp thing where 24+ minutes passes like 15 minutes and I'm always surprised to see we're again at the end of a video. Thank you, Myron.

[@myroncook]

thank you!

[@Chris.Davies]

In this crazy, high-speed world, it is always such a pleasure to slow down a little, and take in all that Dr. The Earth has to say, and to reflect on the wonderful learnings he imparts in such a peaceful, friendly, and almost grandfatherly way. Thank you so much, Myron, you're an inspiration. I knew exactly what these were from the moment you showed us. Here in New Zealand, we have a lot of locations where concretions form - especially from the Miocene era. And many concretions feature crabs, whale bones, and even early penguins, when they're prepared. The concretions near where I live (Canterbury) are extremely hard, and often very difficult to prepare. You can easily see a concretion contains a crab fossil if you can see three small light-coloured elipses on opposite sides of the concretion. Usually the claws are preserved, but the outer portions of the legs have disappeared as the concretions haven't grown large enough to encapsulate the entire creature. I seem to recall from my dim dark distant past, that concretions are formed by ion migration, and that they take a very long time to grow inside the sediment in which they're based.

[@myroncook]

Fascinating!

[@b.a.erlebacher1139]

I watched a video a while back about a beach in NZ that has enormous concretions lying around, some of them split and broken so you can see layers inside, and sometimes the fossilized "seed" that they started from. Really amazing and wonderful! From watching that video I guessed that the structures here are also concretions and was pleased to find that my guess was right. I agree that Dr. Cook has a wonderful teaching style and his videos are a pleasure to watch and learn from. The skillfully recorded strange (to me) and beautiful landscapes add to the experience.

[@CricketsBay]

The guy who runs Malambo Fossil on KZbin carefully reveals the fossils in the NZ Miocene Fossil concretions. It's amazing to see what's inside.

[@TheSail2222]

Love the way you describe things! Makes me smile. Knew straight away what they were having seen them several times out in the outback of Australia...Love the way you attain the correct answer for everyone!

[@TheSail2222]

and also - thanks for adding the kilometre/metre equivalent for miles and feet!

[@marydd4147]

I'm so envious of your geological perspective - I'm always interested of the geology of an area, but often have no idea of what I'm looking at. I have roadside geology books, but there are somewhat general. The property I live on is volcanic, and we've found some rare pieces of what looks to be vitrified petrified wood. We've speculated that our property may be an ancient lahar. Interesting video - thanks!

[@myroncook]

neat

[@CAoffRoading]

Well this just cleared up a mystery for me. Was hiking at a rest area near Thermopolis Wyoming and found a bunch of those. Just much smaller. Couldn't figure out if they were lava bombs, fossils, etc. Now I know. Thank you for that knowledge

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

Me too. I know where there is a small field of those and now I'm going to have to go back and look closer.

[@ianklanfer4887]

Mudfossils

[@steftetane]

Great video and explanation! BTW, those are called cannonball concretions. They are pretty common in the geological record. As you said, they are linked to a “seed”, something originally made of organic matter that went through a process called bacterial sulfate reduction. Turns the organic matter into carbonate.

[@myroncook]

They go by several names. good info

[@dianedoyle-mccahon4979]

My first thought, went to Iowa geode State rock. Brought some home and cut open. I wanted to be a geologist,but did business.....still love my rocks.

[@higherresolution4490]

Organic matter being rendered into carbonate by a process called bacterial sulfate reduction. Just like the information in the video, that is quite fascinating! I wonder why the reduction process of sulfur would lead to the creation of carbonate?

[@steftetane]

@@higherresolution4490 Carbonates are an oxidised form of carbon. Organic matter is the reduced form of carbon. So to create carbonate from organic matter, you need to oxidise it, and to do so, you need to find another molecule (an external oxidant) that will serve as an electron acceptor and therefore will change from an oxidised to a reduced form. It's sort of a give-and-take chemical reaction (known as a Redox chemical reaction). To cut a long story short: in the upper part of the sedimentary column, where there is O2 present, it is indeed O2 that serves as this electron acceptor. In the deeper part of the sedimentary column, there is no more O2 present, so it is sulfate (SO4 2-) that is used and in the process reduced into H2S.

[@rockrebell100]

Do we have a resent one??? For the last 300 years?? What is the resent one in years??

[@ArtHistoryProfessor]

Good evening and good Friday, Professor Cook. So thrilled about this new episode in Wyoming. I've found some outstanding lagerstatte fern fossils in concretions from the Mazon Creek beds in Northern Illinois. All the best from North Carolina.

[@myroncook]

wow

[@debrawilson3840]

Thank you, Myron!! This is my first video of yours that I've seen. I love geology, although im no geologist. But, like you, I see every around me and explore when I can. This video was very fun !!!

[@myroncook]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davec.1045]

Thanks Myron, for another wonderful video! Years ago I took a side trip coming back from Moab and ventured north of I-70 up Floy Canyon where there were concretions that were long and broken like logs about 3-7" diameter. Some are taking up residence in my rock garden collection.

[@Sparks53]

So cool to think that you likely were the first person to come across this in the modern age as I would imagine anyone coming across this would have certainly photographed it or shared it with others. Great find!

[@Alachua03]

I really enjoy this series. As a youngster earning my first degree in Anthropology - Meso-American Archaeology at the University of South Florida , I took a minor in Geology and these videos bring back many fond memories of field trips all over the state of Florida where I live.I have encouraged my 14 year old grandson to watch and learn. Thanks for your very clear and concise, easily understood lectures, and most of all, your "secret" underlying lessons in critical thinking! Best wishes!

[@Gola308]

There is a very similar formation near the Colorado/Utah border along I-70. It's also prominent along the old highway 6/50 that's slightly north of the interstate. Always wondered about them. Love your videos!

[@stephenmorton8017]

really interesting, love how the drone gives scale and context. excellent use of tools. thanks!

[@marthawhite3353]

Thanks Myron! Love to hear what you're saying about the area as I live nearby and have been thinking about these geological sites for a while. So easy to listen to your explanations and I really love the beautiful scenery. This vast inland sea has been on my mind as I think about the basin and range of Utah's west desert, and into Nevada as well as Wyoming. Where I live near we have the imprint of the ancient coastal shallows, and then they fall away to the deeper ravines and such on the way to the Yellowstone. Amazing to think about the geological history here -

[@olliefoxx7165]

I REALLY enjoyed the viewers guesses on what this could be. People can have such good imaginations. I like the participation of the group and you connecting with their ideas. I had no idea geology could be fun.

[@myroncook]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GB-ew8wc]

You make learning fun and almost effortless. Thanks for keeping my elderly brain fueled.

[@illgillbates9561]

Thank you for this fascinating and wonderful video. Your presentation was really excellent, I loved every minute and had a great time watching. Thank you and well done

[@michellewarmath7811]

Thank you, Myron. I loved rooting around the traprock in New England and seeing how it appeared and formed shapes, so I was fascinated by these concretions. I would have said they look like some kind of geodes at first or some sort of gaint sand pearls. You're a great teacher!

[@JoeZorzin]

You must be in or near the CT River Valley? It has a fascinating history. I'm near there too.

[@stevengeorge5605]

Thank you, Myron. Well done, as always!

[@RDEnduro]

So happy to come along with you Myron, what a cool rock. awesome videos i love learning this stuff.

[@earthandtime5817]

As a geologist I really appreciate how you explain what you see and it has helped me learn how to communicate geology concepts better. Thank you Myron.

[@myroncook]

Great to hear!

[@jeffreybail353]

ever heard of petrification and how long it takes to turn a steack into a rock, i done it it took 2 years and was solid after

[@mosessupposes2571]

I love your videos. I was born in Powell and lived much of my childhood in the Big Horn Basin. I’ve been gone from there a long time, and I love seeing the places where we roamed as youngsters. What I love even more is now learning from you so much about the places and features I always loved but had no real clue about their magnificent history stories. Thank you SO very much.

[@myroncook]

You need to come visit the area

[@Brommear]

Thank you! This was very interesting. Great videography too. I like it that you put no music on it and you limit the selfies to bearable levels.

[@robertburroughs8962]

I found your channel last night browsing different things to watch. I really appreciate your enthusiasm and the really kind way you present each subject. You make the stuff so easy to understand by your detailed explanations. I shared your video to my brother who is a geologist. I know he will enjoy your videos as well.

[@kenwin5845]

I really enjoyed this video, I knew about concretions, but found your explanation gave me greater understanding.

[@maestro-zq8gu]

Ok, a small foreign object trigging sphere formation was one of my first guesses because I saw something about these same formations on beaches such as the Moeraki Boulders in New Zealand.

[@Hurricane0721]

Badlands are absolutely amazing landscapes that make you feel like you're walking on a different planet! This particular area of Badlands very much reminds me of the Makoshika Badlands near Glendive, Montana. The landscape in the Makoshika Badlands has very similar formations and landscape colors.

[@CoalCreekCroft]

Damn. Been on the Front all my time in Montana but those badlands were on a top visit list if I ever got out that way. Riiight. But last year I got to move to a remote farm miles SE of Ashland, bordering Custer National Forest. The canyons are amazing! 100% better than the landscape expected. You likely know it better ... creek valley bottom, rolling prairie to forested canyons. Finally got through the rattlers to explore around and shocked to see a lot of "mini-badlands" areas that look like Utah, complete with hoo-doos. So many, incl myself, dismissed eastern Montana but cannot imagine any better place ... and I lived in East Glacier for 3 years. Even around Weibaux is amazing. Still in the Big Sky?

[@herbf2700]

We have those by the ton out here in Ferron UT. When I first saw them sticking out of the cliffs it was a real wow moment. They have crystal cores here and they can get huuuuuuge. Volkswagon sized specimens sometimes roll down the slopes below the cliffs and stop out in the flats, where they disintegrate over time. I thought they were from the frontier formation. Good to know I was right!

[@theresamcpherson7352]

Thank you Myron! Keep up the good work!

[@RodMartinJr]

Not only an awesome learning experience for the scientist in each of us, but delightful production value with establishment shots and movement which helps to tell the story. Very nicely done. 😎♥✝🇺🇸💯

[@ross798]

Thanks once again. Often, when I am traveling out West even with others, we often agree on the interesting and beautiful land we see, but not everyone is interested in "how" or "why" we see what we are seeing. It always fascinates me, not just in what I see as the aesthetic quality of our landscape, but in answering why we are seeing what we are seeing, and how very differently it would have looked, thousands, millions or even billions of years ago, right on the spot I am standing on at that time.

[@myroncook]

Well said!

[@PacoOtis]

Bravo! Excellent educational presentation by a professional! Thanks for sharing and the best of luck!

[@E.o.t.4637]

Reminds me of giant Moqui marbles. They are brownish black balls composed of iron oxide and sandstone that formed underground. The word moqui comes from the Hopi Tribe. The Hopi were previously known as the Moqui Indians until the early 1900s. It said that the Hopi ancestors spirits would return to Earth in the evenings to play marble games with these iron balls. Pretty cool find whatever it is! I forgot to add they are also called Moqui Balls, Thunderballs and Shaman Stones. There's a small piece of hematite in the center and if you take 2 of them put them close and you just might feel the resistance like 2 magnets going back to back.

[@douglaswhite9777]

Love your program of geology, looking at the Roundball and the stone I’d almost say it was a petrified, giant clam, and that may have been a pearl cause I’m not a Geological individual I know very little about geology good programming well done.👍

[@deathatsix]

I live in southwestern PA. I have found small rocks that were hollow inside or ones with darker cores. I think you just gave me the explanation that I hadn't known for many years. Thank you, this was a very interesting video.

[@OkieSketcher1949]

I would say it is a concretion much like the ones we find locally in the Woodford or Sycamore limestone formations in southern Oklahoma. My father was a Geologist who took many a college student out into Southern Oklahoma to learn surface geology. I learned a lot of geology from him and I still use it as I travel. Great way to learn more about the world around us. Love your video.

[@scottkelbell5003]

Thank you for taking an old man, who can't walk anymore, along for the walk.

[@doncook3584]

KZbin is such a wonderful resource. I can walk along with Myron which I couldn’t do in real life. I walk strong but my body cannot tolerate heat and bright sunlight. It helps me do car repairs mower repairs and maintenance just everything in every day life. So glad you enjoy this content. Best wishes from Omaha Nebraska

[@RonHelton]

Alien viewing this video from his home planet: "That's where my ball went". 🤣🤣

[@slappy8941]

Holy crap that was funny, and so original. I bet your mom says you're the smartest boy.

[@GilObregon-hj6zh]

"So, that's where my ball went!" (Mr. Smarty Pants -- that's me -- sez) But either way, CONGRATS!! 😹 🥳

[@aaroncarter4089]

Needs improvement

[@sidstovell2177]

Priceless! Thanks for the chuckle!

[@kitt7477]

That’s what I was thinking!🤪

[@leddygee1896]

You know Professor Cook, That first geologic example you showed us with the ball of material at the center reminded me of a Geode sphere where if you cleaved the stone, Crystals would be found inside. I know It's probably not the right conditions for this to occur. But it's kinda' nice to wonder. Have you considered making the trip to Pyramid Lake, NV to check out the very interesting geology of that region? It is the remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville, that covered more than half of Nevada at one time, and is only one of two places in the world that rely on one body of water naturally feeding another. Lake Tahoe feeds Pyramid Lake via the Truckee River. The size of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout were legendary that lived in Pyramid, exceeding 3 and 4 feet long, and 40 to 60 pounds. Those days are long gone, but a vital repopulation of breeding fish are having great success for the Paiute Nation that call Pyramid Lake their home. As always, a very insightful look at the Geology that's all around us. If we just take the time to notice...

[@myroncook]

neat

[@shortcut1331]

Very cool! :D Thanks for sharing, I love nice formations like these. Your explanation was great, I'm not knowledgeable about these things but it made sense. :)

[@CplSkiUSMC]

I've wondered about these and had some wrong ideas about them, but you just put an exclamation mark where a question mark once existed. Thanks again Myron.

[@marilynn76]

I'm not a geologist (I have an English degree), but I love rocks! A lot of people think I'm nuts. I love your videos..... it's like exploring out in the field with an amazing teacher. Thank you so much for bringing these videos to us.

[@myroncook]

Glad you like them!

[@dboconnor57]

Thank you Myron! I really enjoyed your video and learned a great deal about these formations. Fascinating as always.

[@infinitenex8165]

You may want to check out the Golden bridges (also kniwn as Moreni) feature on the Vitosha mountain near Sofia, Bulgaria. There we have very similar round boulders that go down the side of the mountain like a river made of rocks.

[@jamesmckenzie4572]

Here in the Canadian Gulf Islands the sandstone shoreline has features like this eroded by the wave action of the shoreline. It makes caves of various size , sometimes with the ball in the middle. Nice to learn about how they were made.

[@pcatful]

Hi Professor Cook! Enjoying your videos. Say, where can I buy a hat like that?

[@myroncook]

made by Scala

[@smileycamel5635]

Very educational, and what a beautiful place. Thank you.

[@terryt.1643]

I wondered if they were concretions having learned about them from your other video on what looked like petrified wood. Thanks for teaching me something new for this old brain to contemplate!

[@LLEvarts]

I was just up in the Spearfish/Sundance area last week for some fieldwork in the Bear Lodge Mountains. We were out searching for rare earth-bearing carbonatites. It was my first time in the area and I was impressed with the natural beauty on display. My home region of eastern Washington is mostly buried in layers of flood basalt, which isn't very interesting after more than 40 years of staring at it. A few years back I was up in the Hanford area where the Ringold Formation is exposed along the Columbia River. There I came upon concretions much smaller than what you found. I was surprised by how hard they could be compared to the surrounding material. I wouldn't even call Ringold lithified; it's still soft enough that you can basically dig in it, but it has concretions that are rock hard. There they tend to take on a more flat oblate shape which is probably due to the thinner laminations in some of the layers. Anyway, great video!

[@myroncook]

interesting!

[@CWS-h5z]

Fascinating in many ways!!! At min. 2:20, as you are approaching that first phenomenal concretion, there appears to be a ramp sloping right down to the little interior ball. I can't tell if it is loose material or not. Could the further, high end be the point where the concretion was sitting and the lowering ramp is the path it traveled?

[@BlueAgaveStudios]

Thank you Myron. Your videos are extremely understandable, friendly and available! I live in Ohio where it's very difficult to find rocks under all this till, but thanks to your instructions I have learned some things. There is a lot of evidence obviously of the ice age, wide Creek valleys that have narrow creeks in them indicate a lot of water was flowing here some thousands of years ago. And in the areas where water flows now bedrock is exposed. We sit on top of the end of the Devonian and the beginning of the Mississippian and have some good Columbus limestone which is heavily fossilized. What you said tonight was amazing and I agree. The more you learn about geology the more you can see time and space flow around you. Thank you.

[@myroncook]

Wow

[@Caenen_LeagueTechnical]

Another reason why it can't be Glaciers is that the embedded boulders are still layered horizonal (at least least parallel to the fault plane). Glaciers typically make rocks the move land in different orientations. A concretion radially glues existing sandstone layers together in-place, becoming more distinct and erosion resistent in the process, so those layers show up (often the places of fractures in the exposed rock) on many of the boulders in your video as well! The crux of the video may just be the distinctness of the earlier and later concretion growth in the first area, whereas at the anticline the boulders seem to be rather uniform all the way through. I hadn't seen this before in any concretions this large (in fact, only seen it on either your or Shawn Willsey's channel, I don't remember right now), and it's interesting to think that if all the inner and outher concretions each are about the same size in these, the conditions inside the sandstone must have been fairly homogenous while the layer was carrying water.

[@thomasmanson1119]

This stuff is amazing Myron, and I’m very anxious to see more of your exploration. Related to the initial surprise of the bowling ball in its layered stone “shell”, it appears to me that it is the result of significant thermal events (and perhaps not unrelated to the volcanic characteristic mentioned earlier. A very hot (or very cold) sphere could create a layered shell as a result of the differences in thermal expansion and/or contraction. I’ll be watching to be sure!

[@ComfortRoller]

I kicked up a rough looking stone marble with my motorcycle in a field as a kid. It rattled like it had another marble inside. I kept it for years till I was pondering it and decided I needed to break it open. Another marble much like its host but solid. I keep it in a little plastic bag. I was told by a smart fellow it sounded like a concreation. It's fun to follow threads of a mystery and finally come to a conclusion years later.

[@myroncook]

I like this story

[@utej.k.bemsel4777]

They were called "Adlerstein" in Germany, believed to be found in an eagles nest and helping women to have an easy birth. In the middle ages....

[@RiverReeves23]

Really great video Myron. You're really good at taking vast amounts of information and delivering it in a very calming and easily understood form. I've never been in to geology but I've subscribed because I really like your teaching method. Thank you.

[@Roarmeister2]

I first heard about nodules in a Star Trek episode - they were the Horta's eggs! But seriously, from a scientific POV, I first heard about nodules (back in the '70s with National Geographic) in the Pacific Ocean near smokers and that they contained high concentrations of minerals that might be mineable.

[@LanceHall]

That's wild. Early in my fossil hunting hobby I realized nodules and concretions must have formed around a seed of biological material.

[@WakeUpToYourself]

Here in Australia there is a place called "devils marbels" & it is full of different sized spherical rocks, perfectly round. some are huge, bigger than a house

[@riverbender9898]

I certainly agree that an interest in Geology makes any outing much more interesting. Thank you for letting us tag along.

[@marcus3376]

This reminds me of the rock spheres found around the world, which is how they may be created. It would be interesting to have it scanned, and samples taken to understand its structure better and if the rock spheres are related.

[@CricketsBay]

There are concretions found in New Zealand and the UK which contain fossils. Malambo Fossil shows what's inside on his channel on KZbin and makes museum pieces out of them. Every channel I've seen find concretions on the British coast uses a hammer to open them and reveal the fossils.

[@scottfree6479]

I love this. Absolutely fantastic, makes me kinda wish I had been a geologist. I don't know if I'd have been any good at it, but hiking around beautiful landscapes like this and wondering how they came to be just seems like a dream

[@oldgeezerproductions]

I have seen concretions, but I must admit that I've never seen them or even heard anyone speak of them at this scale. Up until now, I've always considered concretions as structures as small as ooids, but no larger than a large geode. Thanks to your entertaining and informative video, now I know better.

[@BruceSeesall]

wow looks like it was sitting on a ball and would turn maybe with rope to rise stones? Any marks on it?

[@robbyjobarton2637]

I accidentally found this Great information. I'll never make it to Wyoming this side of life. But love you breaking down the cause and effect of the rocks... 🙏🏿🙏🏻🙏🏽 And Good hunting and exploring and sharing to you and your wife 😉

[@prettyplayfull]

I'm not a geology major or a teacher. I just absolutely love trying to figure out how did that happen!! lol. I listen to you every night for several hours, what a nice voice. Thanks.

[@Schizniit]

Yay a video about concretions! So excited about this one

[@jongreene4309]

Wonderful content and wonderful geology. Thank you for the video, now subscribed

[@chrislong3938]

These videos are fascinating to me! Thanks!!! I live in Longmont Colorado and we have so much cool stuff near here that I've never really paid close attention to other than admire its raw beauty from a distance. I think I'll be hitting the hills as soon as it gets a little warmer and look a lot closer to our surroundings than I have before! Thanks again for your great insights! I'm sure I'm not the first to say this but you are the Bob Ross of geology!

[@myroncook]

thank you! enjoy your hikes

What a coinsidence , that the video I watched before this (Very interesting )one, was Prof Willsey’s ”guided tour” at Mount Rushmore ..! 😅👌🏼 Btw -looking forward to Your upcoming livestream!

[@declangrant9745]

God bless you sir for a highly informative and satisfying peek into the never-ending wonders of Mother Nature