Random Roadcuts #1: US 93 in the Schell Creek Range of eastern Nevada

[@shawnwillsey]

You can support my field videos by clicking on the "Thanks" button just above (right of Like button) or by going here: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=EWUSLG3GBS5W8

[@AmericanWanderers]

Very Interesting, I did not know abut the small faul6ts being so common

[@brianmorrison9938]

DUDE!! I have watched your Vid on Notch Peak, and now this "Road cut #1" and they're excellent!! I live in Baker!! Holler at me when you're out next time and I'll haul you around!! :D)

[@RWBHere]

21:00 Once you see the dog's head near to the top of the video, you cannot unsee it.

[@JeffCowan]

If you are not from the west, it might be hard to appreciate the sheer volume of DRIVING Shawn is doing to bring us these videos... 😅

[@shawnwillsey]

Very true, Jeff and thanks for point that out. Hence, the shameless request for donations. This roadcut was on my way to Great Basin National Park and western Utah (more videos from this region to come).

[@JeffCowan]

@@shawnwillsey No shame in it. Just made a donation. Gas is expensive these days.

[@pauldietz1325]

If I were driving through there, I'd go 8 miles north of Ely, in the Duck Creek Range, and see the site of a pumped hydro storage facility that's planned for there. 8 GWh of capacity! The lower and upper reservoirs will be separated by about 1 1/2 miles horizontally and 2000 feet vertically.

[@shawnwillsey]

Much appreciated!@@JeffCowan

[@frankd5871]

Son of Owan Cowan. Meannagh about 32 miles by 12. Hell of a long way to the North even when departing from half way up the South. Went to England once was taken to a pub on a Saturday for lunch 30 miles there and 30 back - I'd never do that at home far to far, to go. A video on youtube re' a USA farmer who drove his tractor to one of the fields 35 miles. That's more than the length of the island yer'd need a field in the sea. Just 12 miles here from West to East we don't get lost, unless we swim. Evolution - how come Americans haven't developed long legs, was it Henry Ford who disuaded long limb growth?

[@michaelsanfilippo7433]

Yes Shawn, more "random roadcuts" please. I often stop along roadcuts here in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. They are always fascinating and puzzling. Your systematic technique of observation and unmasking the forces and rock types is fun and instructive. Thanks.

[@Vbluevital]

Totally Agree, more random road cut observations please.

[@maxisp1000]

Please take a look at the SUMP north of Dyer.

[@johnrhansonsr]

As a child back in the early 1950's I would ask my dad to stop at these various road cuts and the things we found were just fascinating. My goal as a kid was to be a geologists but the Vietnam war changed those ideas. But I did end up spending 20-years in the Air Force having fun there traveling all over the world as a Loadmaster.

[@aldo5428]

Prof, brilliant idea for a series and I’m sure everyone watches till the end…

[@hestheMaster]

First Random Roadcut and you hit this one out of the park. Quite the variety of rock formations with faulting found.

[@shawnwillsey]

Glad this idea resonated with so many.

[@davidk7324]

"Enriching to all of us." Yes, indeed. 'Random Roadcuts' is a wonderful idea. Glad I am on board for the inaugural episode. I think this is a nice variation on your approach and will mix things up a bit. Hearing/seeing your spontaneous reactions to features is wonderful as well as your "thinking out loud" narration that provides a window into your analysis and problem solving. Truly roadside geology.

[@davidk7324]

Wow, this has garnered a lot of views. Come to think of it, road cuts are a gateway for many people's up close exposure to geology. How many folks have driven along a road cut and remarked, "how did that develop . . . that's bizarre looking . . . that's beautiful . . . ." Traffic noise (and your safety) are the only downsides I see.

[@brittshepard9317]

My wife and I drive by it many times and will appreciate that spot more and will stop and watch your video and follow along at the same time. Hope you enjoyed Ely. Thank you very much for doing your first road cut at a place I love so much. Be safe.

[@micheleblundell7115]

Really enjoyed this video... I definitely would enjoy more like this.

[@MayorNan]

I have driven 93 from Idaho to southern Nevada at least twice a year and I have always noticed and wondered about the geology of the road cuts! Also highway 6 from Ely over to 318. I definitely would like more videos about what I am seeing! I’ve always wondered about the rocks on 93 just south of Contact, NV which is south of Jackpot! I was at an overlook in Idaho years ago and my family was admiring the view while I was facing the opposite direction totally fascinated with the huge road cut geology!

[@shawnwillsey]

Ha ha. I've got plans for that area. I mapped that region and did several years of consulting work there. Stay tuned.....

[@LaurieGeePea]

I absolutely loved this format. What a beautiful outcrop!

[@briane173]

For a random road cut this one was pretty amazing to observe. Lots going on. With all the B&R extension going on in that area I'm sure that has been chiefly responsible for contorting all these limestone and shale layers; but to have such a contrast in sedimentary rock types in just this one small road cut makes this one a fun one to interpret. The _ages_ of these outcrops and knowing they once were shallow ocean bottom and chiefly mud layers is fascinating to me. You're touching rocks and mudstones that haven't been exposed or touched in probably 200 million years. Fascinating.

[@LoreTunderin]

Love these types of video

[@baTonkaTruck]

This is fantastic, exactly the kind of series that’s so relevant and helpful to people of all different skill levels.

[@jackprier7727]

Thanks for taking us on every step of discovery and explanation as it happens-

[@aryu-bts613]

Yes! Love the road cuts series as lots drive by and can't see or stop to check the details that you're doing for us it's awesome 👍😎 Can't wait to see more

[@davidfrank6664]

Thank you Shawn! Yes, more road cuts. Thanks to your videos, I see so much more than just rocks!

[@davebowles1957]

Fascinating. Truly amazing. I love to hear your excitement and passion. Excellent video that I don't think was too long at all. Geology is my new obsession and I've learned so very much from watching your videos, thank you for doing these and please keep them coming! Safe travels, professor.

[@jenfern4554]

Love roadcuts ... anyone can find them. More like this please!

[@MitchLaFortune]

Love the road cut series idea. I have driven all over that part of the country and I try to imagine the material and processes at play. These subsequent videos will make my travels more enjoyable. Kudos!!

[@llanitedave]

Road cuts rock! I've annoyed my wife frequently by making sudden stops at a road cut that caught my eye. This one was, as you said, a gem. I'm vaguely familiar with the Schell Creek range, having work in and around Ely, NV about 8 years ago. Fascinating region, there are also some road cuts with pyroclastic volcanics juxtaposed against the carbonates. Definitely a series I would follow.

[@Emac1216egg]

Please do more of these, don't apologize for videography during such spontaneous and impromptu teaching moments. These make me very excited to look at rocks.

[@jameshatchett8095]

Keep it up, road cuts can expose some pretty exciting structural geology. I have been doing aerial photographic surveys of exposures in north central Nevada lately, it's never boring.

[@burpleson]

That was wonderful! I would definitely like to see more of these.

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

I enjoyed every minute of it! Rocks are fascinating stuff with the stories they have to tell. The large void filled partially with what looked like fortification banding was super cool. The folded layers are really neat too. Thank you for this great video and the knowledge you've shared with us. I would certainly watch more content like this.

[@sdmike1141]

Thanks! “Random Roadcuts” is a WINNER!! It’s very cool to see the geology as you’re seeing it in real time! Very instructive. Thanks.

[@shawnwillsey]

Thank you for your kindness.

[@marcosfreijeiro8763]

Absolutely excellent, it helps me to look at road cuts in a different way. Great video

[@toddharris9466]

Yes more of this!

[@KYLYKaHYT]

I absolutely loved this! Please make a series of these road cut videos.

[@jerrykuchera5467]

We think this is our favorite because we see more in-depth, a geologist's insights, ideas and observations that a layman might miss! We have nothing like this were we live so we enjoy the extra time spent investigating. Thank you!

[@abdulwahabbello9260]

I’ve become so addicted to your channel lately, thanks to the really educative videos you make. Your passion for geology is really amazing and inspirational. Thank you so much, Shawn.

[@shawnwillsey]

Wow, thank you! I love what I do and the lines between work and pleasure are completely blurred.

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

Road cuts have always been fascinating windows into the geology of an area. I always want to stop and explore them, but too often there is no safe way to pull over and park if on a highway. Back into the interior off the highway, the opportunity to safely explore a road cut occurs more often. Back country road cuts in Central and eastern Oregon often produce collectable specimens, some of gem quality. This has been an interesting start to what should be an informative series of geology reveals. 👍👍

[@kurtloptien185]

Absolutely, more roadcuts, hard to beat what you find. If I were mapping the hilltop, it's likely I would miss a lot of what's happening. Almost nothing better than fresh(ish) exposures of the rock layers than a roadcut. This one was quite the story to unravel.👍

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

As a long-haul commercial driver of the western states, drive by geology is a perk of my job. I frequent these roads and have stopped for similar rock-reading. Thanks for explaining the process of intravenous pink material woven within. If I may be so bold: It’s impossible to ignore the dynamic activity of stratified layering so visible of the region and consider it one of the best geological studies for the casual observer. Thanks Shawn

[@Laserblade]

Absolutely worth the time and effort. I cannot pass a road cut and not be drawn to the exposed geology. Man, if you just pulled over at a random road cut - that was like a winning lotto ticket! Thank you Professor, fascinating video. Nice job scrambling on the scree.

[@rollsandfloats]

Thanks Shawn! I loved this video and the way you walked us through your analysis of what happened using the available evidence. Much appreciated and I hope you do more of them.

[@maryellenrasnick3271]

WORTH IT Shawn. Really appreciate hearing your approach and analysis. My wife and I travel a lot and this is very useful. Thanks for making stone come to life. Well done. Keep doing the Random Road Cuts! Gratefully, Ben

[@joelennis6338]

Very educational and enjoyable! Thanks for taking us along. I would enjoy seeing more Random Roadcuts.

[@_Michiel_]

This is really cool! The road cut as well as the way you show us how to look at it to make sense of what we see. I'd love to see more of these!

[@LukeNervig]

More random road cuts please Professor Willsey! This was excellent and one of my favorite videos of yours. What a fantastic find!

[@pattyfolsom5144]

Having recently explored road cuts alone thru WA, OR and ID, I applaud your effort to observe them with you. I, for one, will learn much more. Thank you.

[@brianswift4659]

As a casual observer with an interest in geology, but no formal training, I found it really fun to play along and guess at the types of rock and fault locations before you made your observations. I’d like to see more of these for sure!

[@judyfeuerbach4199]

More Random Roadcuts, please! One of my first dates with my husband was exploring a random roadcut. This roadcut was terrific! Thank you!

[@mawi1172]

That's pretty funny when you show how its folding over like a loosening livingroom rug and it looks JUST like that!😂 too funny!😂

[@robertfritz9916]

As a 75 year old geology dilettante I think you are on the right track with the road cut theme. Since my few geology classes more than 50 years ago, before Internet and Google Earth, many of the field trips focused in road cuts. To this day as we drive the Interstates between our Idaho home and our winter cabin near the border with Mexico I still look at the road cuts and try to imagine the geology, but at 70 mph just being able to discern igneous (intrusive or extrusive) or sedimentary is difficult at best. This is a good start. But my personal preference is that the videos be around 10 minutes at the most. Many of us fit (meaning me) videos into our schedule among other activities so a half hour video is likely to be avoided. I only watched less than 5 minutes of this one before I was interrupted for other activities. Nick Zentner is my favorite NW geology video professor, largely because I am fascinated by the ice age floods and the Bretz legacy. The more he does videos the longer he gets. For real geologists I am sure there is great content but for the rest of us who want only an overview an hour of detail is off-putting. The bottom line of this comment is consider all aspects of your audience, especially attention spans in this media age. Keep your videos to more or less ten minutes on an over arching theme and then develop sub tier videos that amplify the the points you make in the over view. I apologize for the lengthy monologue, but I defend the ramblings as license of age.

[@leshubbell3254]

That was great! These are the kinds of things we would see just going down the road. It's cool to understand better what we're looking at. Thanks for doing it.

[@deborahsimpson4968]

Wow what a story that roadcut could tell. Can't we all but help to appreciate seeing millions of years of mother earth getting jiggy with it... and the whole story laid out there thanks to civil engineers not just going over and around it but matching cuts to fills and maintaining a safe line and mostly a decently drivable grade. Yes, of course, keep up the series.

[@buzzkeeto60]

Shawn, I really like these Random Roadcuts playlist. I am retired and planning road trips back to my home country (your country) and explore my new found passion for geology. This series will help me plan future trips. Keep them going.

[@mapleleaf902]

I really appreciated this class. I am a geology head!

[@missannthrope365]

These road cut videos are amazing!!!! Please continue with them. I’m learning so much. Thank you.

[@stevedrake6529]

There’s something very satisfying about watching a geologist get excited about rocks. That’s why I watch this channel!

[@mawi1172]

I wish I could support you more because its so worth it to love opening your videos. I know I'm going somewhere new everytime I do.❤❤❤❤❤

[@shawnwillsey]

Thanks for watching and learning with me.

[@alanselig2470]

Great idea for a series! Very accessible for an untrained geology aficionado. Empowers me to look at stuff I drive by with some chance of seeing geological processes. I also appreciate your humility in declaring the limits of your analysis in a first viewing.

[@CricketsMa]

I’m from S Utah and DO appreciate the effort that goes into keeping all of us armchair geologists happy!

[@madmaddie4956]

MORE, MORE, MORE please!! Love your creative teaching. Makes me want to stop and check out my local road cuts!! Really appreciate your approach, and thinking aloud--I have seen a whole new world I never before appreciated until I discovered your series. When I retire next year, I want to join your class field trips.

[@ankclub1444]

Your enthusiasm for geology is contagious. I feel inspired to explore my local roadcuts as soon as the snow lets up!

[@JeanKnits]

This is cool. I am fascinated by road cuts whenever i am driving.

[@SusanS588]

Love this idea. What got me back into an interest in geoloy was Nick Zentner’s series on things I repeatedly saw on my drive from Pullman to Seattle. Now on any trip, I look at anything that the DOTs expose. This is the next step in really LOOKING at what I’m passing.

[@videotrexx]

That roadcut is really interesting, all the variety of rocks, the folds, faults, and formations. Very enjoyable video.

[@davedavis5809]

I'm no longer surprised at seeing this sort of thing but still mesmerized by how fresh and undisturbed it has remained. Excellent visuals, good stuff. Thanks professor!

[@John-ir2zf]

Love the road cut videos !!! And 30 minutes isn't too long for great information.

[@kestenyi3873]

One of my favourites so far, getting to see so many structural features up close in miniature adds a lot to understanding the differing scale of processes. It's easy to think of "faults" as big, so it's cool to see them throughout this relatively small section. Plus looking at road cuts is addictive and fun, hope you do more!

[@StanDavid-ix6yk]

I enjoyed the video. It was interesting to hear a pro describing the observations. Thank you.

[@sistersheba]

I'm enjoying your videos! Better than reading a textbook, but makes me think I might enjoy a class.

[@shawnwillsey]

Go for it!

[@martinfelix7003]

Really fun to watch. We drive through this all the time. Thanks, from northern Utah.

[@Yetibiker67]

Thank you Shawn!! Always educational. You are a wonderful teacher!

[@diane4094]

Very interesting to this arm chair geologist! Thank you & please keep doing Random Roadcuts!

[@craigskiles]

Thank you. I'm excited to see more of the "Random Road Cuts" series. I've watched most of your videos and enjoyed them. Seeing you wing it on a random road cut is interesting. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

[@stevengeorge5605]

A big yes, to Random Roadcuts! Thank you, Shawn! 😃

[@patrickkillilea5225]

Video is Great! Very interesting to hear you speak. Knowledge and passion. I've got 30 minutes!

[@MotoNomad350]

I like the random roadcut format. Helps us amateurs to see how to approach analyzing formations we encounter.

[@robertfarrimond3369]

Impromptu road cuts is how most of the public actually get a view behind the surface. Really gneiss vid.

[@valoriel4464]

@Robert. Good 1. Thx for the chuckle 😆

[@shawnwillsey]

Hope the narration wasn't too tuff to listen to.

[@mawi1172]

Up close, there are many different ways to see these as part of your landscape at home if its in your area. But we know, you'd never get it home looking so beautiful as it does right where it is.🤩🤩🤩 in the south west, we've tried! Wonderful video.❤❤❤❤❤

[@garyklein8933]

I love this new format. Keep up Roadcuts. It's a great way to take what I have learned in your classroom series and put it in the world we live in. Looking forward to many more!

[@brucedohner3825]

This is an amazing service you are providing. I missed my opportunity to learn this when I was younger. As I watch and listen, I feel myself connecting with the landscape and the wonder of these massive features. ❤

[@Oldbugssy]

I sure like this rando-roadcut. On my road trips, I love stopping and observing the features. I've learned much since I started watching your videos.

[@gordondryden6266]

Absolutely fascinating Shawn. I just watched your last video about Iceland and you mentioned these Random Roadcuts so I decided to check them out - I shall be watching them all over time - Thanks.

[@ryanstropicalplantsoutdoor1989]

I will always watch all the way through....please make more random videos... Thank you for all the miles you put on to find these awesome spots❤🎉

[@CatahoulaLeopardDog]

Fantastic New Series Shawn! I came for the roadcut lesson and stayed for the shale. I was so expecting you to pull out some fossils, although with the degree of stresses that rock looked like it endured, I know that would have been unlikely. Those shale beds looked truly tortured and twisted. I do this same thing in the roadcuts here in AZ and I am always amazed at the stories I see told in the roadcuts all along the western edge of the Rocky Mountains.

[@SJSantaBarbara]

Great video. Looking forward to the new series.

[@Bri_Bri_the_Wise_Guy]

Excellent, I love random.

[@carnakthemagnificent336]

Yeah - like the road cut videos. I just moved to Nevada and driving these great wide expanses and viewing the geology has re-kindled my love of geology from college days. Gracias!

[@asbestosfibers1325]

I question every road cut I pass..... I approve.

[@SamtheIrishexan]

I am gonna love this series I drive my wife nuts stopping at road cuts on long drives lol.

[@maryseeker7590]

I have stood exactly there! I saw the faults and the two colors of the rocks in contact! I think this series is an excellent idea! I see thousands of Roadcuts in my career as a long haul truck driver. Will enjoy seeing more roadcuts!

[@irenewaldron9802]

Shawn, this think this is a great approach. Slowing the flow to see the small details. You are enabling my eyes to see the little stuff then apply it to larger formations.

[@davidcheever8175]

This is so cool as you breakdown the geology on the fly at these different road-cuts wherever you happen to be. I enjoy your thoughts and interpretation of what you're seeing for the first time. Keep it up. Thanks again. San Diego, California

[@rogerharris8081]

Definitely worth doing more road cuts! Halka Chronic (sp) did many books on roadside geology. I absolutely love exposed rock formations and spontaneous explanations. Also good to know the ages of rock formations. Thanks

[@dionhalic]

Very nice type of work. love it. Folks who only have road cuts because they don't go on such wonderful geology focused stuff. Can't thjank you enough! -Jon Carl B

[@JanetClancey]

I’m rewatching this and it’s like looking with new eyes.. I understood what I was looking at.. you explain so well.. thank you for sharing your knowledge.. even “home” rocks are becoming familiar

[@donharris1923]

As a geologist myself; sedimentologist and paleobotanist, who worked for years as an environmental geologist in the eastern half of the US though now retied these video excursions in the western states where there is a great deal more exposed surface geology to investigate are most interesting and informative. I did my summer field course out of the YBRA camp, Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association, in southwestern Montana where the information I’d learned in the vegetation covered Midwest was laid bare. I would hope you are able to make more videos in this series as time permits.

[@markbray838]

What a smorgasbord of minerals and the signs of the forces that created their current state. I could spend days exploring this site with the professor to analyze this wonderful find!

[@clintonturner5545]

Keep exploring at the roads. Good 👍 stuff.

[@Mopartoolman]

Wow, I didn’t know a roadbed cut through a hillside could be so interesting. and I really mean that. Thanks!

[@jennasyseng]

This road cut video was great! Listening to your thought process as you discover clues is really interesting and more informative than just hearing the final description of various features. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@debdiemer3749]

This is an awesome idea! There is a very cool road cut or 3 in the Westcliffe area!

[@peggieincolfaxca3818]

yes!! fun! Id love to have you along when driving across the west

[@littleSallyJo]

BIG FUN!!! keep on with this theme--we all can relate to Random Roadcuts!!

[@brianpeers]

Whodunnits are quite interesting. They exercise our little gray cells as Poirot would say. Thanks Shawn. The road cut that just kept on giving.

[@johnhughes905]

This road cut series is so educational and fun. The format is very creative and original, and I hope you continue to do them. I learn many things and concepts with every episode, adding to my appreciation of geology and our earth and its history. Thank you

[@shawnwillsey]

Just posted a new one. Episode 4.

[@richardcarter7643]

Please continue with your videos. I live in Grass Valley , CA and travel through Nevada on road trips to the Midwest. You are inspiring me to actually stop and look at the road cuts along the way.