Outing the Real Age of the Colorado River: An Interview with Dr. Shannon Dulin, University of Oklahoma

My Sediments Exactly

Summary
The Colorado River, one of the oldest rivers in the world, has been the subject of a joint study by the US Geological Survey and several universities. The study reveals that the river is younger than previously thought, with its grand debut occurring between 4.8 and 4.63 million years ago. The research used paleomagnetics and magnetostratigraphy to analyze sedimentary rocks and map out the river's history. This new understanding of the river's age has implications for the tectonics of the southern US and the management of water resources in the region. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Shannon Dulin from the University of Oklahoma who is a co-author of the study to discuss these findings.
Keywords
Colorado River, US Geological Survey, joint study, river's age, paleomagnetics, magnetostratigraphy, sedimentary rocks, tectonics, water resources
Takeaways

• The Colorado River is younger than previously thought, with its grand debut occurring between 4.8 and 4.63 million years ago.
• The study used paleomagnetics and magnetostratigraphy to analyze sedimentary rocks and map out the river's history.
• The research has implications for the tectonics of the southern US and the management of water resources in the region.
• Understanding the history of the Colorado River can help in disaster preparedness and managing water scarcity.

You can find Shannon Dulin's podcast, Don't Panic Geocast Here.
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Chương

1. Introduction to the Colorado River (00:00:00)

2. Unveiling the River's True Origin (00:01:26)

3. A Personal Connection to the Grand Canyon (00:03:20)

4. Field Camp and Geologic Mapping (00:07:29)

5. The Impact of the Research on Geological History (00:11:06)

6. Future Directions and Implications (00:18:36)

7. Managing Water Resources Sustainably (00:21:37)

8. Further Resources and Conclusion (00:22:31)