"For many of us humans, old trees - gnarled oaks or towering redwoods - are sources of psychological comfort. As elders who have weathered earlier times of crisis, they signify continuity and resilience. Their rings bridge present and past and remind us that our "now" is only one of many. But for longer-distance time travel, we must seek out even more ancient ancestors. The ones with the longest memories, full of insights germane to our Anthropocene anxieties, are right here in our midst:"
"Those who spend enough time in the company of rocks may begin to feel that they are in dialogue with them. I am one of those: For 40 years, I've studied the language of rocks and found them to be wise mentors and matchless storytellers. Seeking existential reassurance at a disheartening time, I recently asked 10 Wyoming rock formations to share accounts of the Wyomings they knew when they were young."
Rocks carry long-term records of Earth's history and offer perspective that spans millions to billions of years. Rocks can be read like archives of past climates, ecosystems, and geological events, and they reward patient observation with insights into planetary change and resilience. Wyoming exposes an exceptionally long and continuous rock record, spanning nearly 80% of Earth history from about 3.5 billion years ago to the present, making it a premier place to study deep time. Close attention to rock formations can yield lessons about long-term environmental transformation and relevance to present Anthropocene challenges.
Read at High Country News
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