Red Rocks Geology

What is Red Rocks?

Red Rocks Amphitheater is a famous music venue located in Morrison, Colorado. It has two large rocks on both sides of the venue enclosing it. In 1928, the city of Denver bought the property for $50,000. They then began construction and opened to the public in 1941. It is one of the most beautiful music venues in the world that has had many great performances including the Beatles, Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, U2, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Metallica, and more.

How was it formed?

The rocks were formed about 290-296 million years ago from the sedimentary remains of the Rocky Mountains. Around 75 Million years ago, the Laramide Orogeny took place and uplifted this entire region of Colorado including Red Rocks and the most recent version of the Rocky Mountains. This uplift tilted the rocks and some other formations almost 90 degrees. Millions of years of erosion have carved the rocks and iron oxides along with pink feldspar grains have colored it into what it looks like today.

How has it changed over time?

How has it changed over time?

When it was first formed, the rocks were buried and then slowly uncovered. After the Laradime Orogeny, the whole region was lifted and tilted to the east. This caused the rocks to tilt even more and sit where they do now. After construction began in 1928, the ampitheater was formed and made into what it is today. Over time, erosion will continue to deform it and crumble it slowly. I think in the future, it will mainly stay the same aside from erosion unless a major event happens and completely destroys it.

Other Interesting Facts

1. Red Rocks has hosted over 1,500 different artists including the Beatles, U2, Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Metallica, and more.

2. In 1971, during a Jethro Tull concert, fans who could not get tickets rioted and tried to break through the gates. This resulted in a 5-year ban on all rock and roll acts.

Other Interesting Facts

3. Certain Dinosaur fossils are embedded in the rocks. A forty-foot plesiosaur fossil was found as evidence. There are also dinosuars from the Jurassic period including a Mososaurus and other flying reptiles from the age.

Sources

https://www.9news.com/article/news/history/heres-what-red-rocks-used-to-look-like-before-it-was-the-worlds-best-concert-venue/73-db6de397-1380-43bc-b1e1-18557ba8a0ad,

Sources

https://www.thoughtco.com/geology-of-red-rocks-colorado-4122859,

https://www.wideopencountry.com/morrison-colorado/,

https://www.westword.com/music/twelve-facts-about-red-rocks-you-may-not-know-14496898