View Full Version : The Appalachian Trail 250 million years in the future
Earl Grey
03-29-2009, 11:05
http://www.scotese.com/future2.htm
I have a feeling those mountains will be huge. Looks like a new trail will have to be built to connect the Mediterranian Mountains.
http://www.scotese.com/images/20F250v4.jpg
Although it's interesting to speculate about such things, I have little faith in such predictions of conditions or events in the distant future. Our time would be better spent dealing with the here and now.
A thread about what created the present Appalachians would be more interesting to me and informative to others who know nothing about plate tectonics or orogenies. It might be an opportunity to recommend books on the subject for those who would rather read than post.
People who post the same thing over and over might devote their time to writing an article and then spend their time hiking or become involved with trail maintenance.
drastic_quench
03-29-2009, 12:01
Although it's interesting to speculate about such things, I have little faith in such predictions of conditions or events in the distant future. Our time would be better spent dealing with the here and now.
A thread about what created the present Appalachians would be more interesting to me and informative to others who know nothing about plate tectonics or orogenies. It might be an opportunity to recommend books on the subject for those who would rather read than post.
People who post the same thing over and over might devote their time to writing an article and then spend their time hiking or become involved with trail maintenance.
Well, that's just - like - your opinion, man.
Thanks for the cool illustration.
Tipi Walter
03-29-2009, 12:27
People who post the same thing over and over might devote their time to writing an article and then spend their time hiking or become involved with trail maintenance.
I did a quick review of Earl Grey's previous posts and didn't find much about this subject, although I didn't go too far back. It doesn't seem like Earl Grey actually posts the same thing over and over. Anyway, it's an interesting post and reminds me of the original Pangea when all the animals--dinosaurs?--started out on one massive continent and ended up thru plate shifting to be scattered all across the world.
Emerald's idea to quit posting this kind of stuff and get off the computer and get out hiking seems out of left field, but what do I know? All I can figure is that he may be offended to know that the earth might be older than 5,000 years? I'm stretching here.
Emerald's idea to quit posting and get out hiking seems out of left field, but what do I know? All I can figure is that he may be offended to know that the earth might be older than 5,000 years? I'm stretching here.
You shouldn't stretch, you might hurt yourself and you're way off-base as usual. I'm not offended by the notion that the universe or Earth is older than Genesis suggests to those who take it literally. I've accumulated more than a few credits in geology and studied palaeobotany in some depth.
My comments had nothing to do with oil of bergamot or you. You might want to comb through your own posts especially those about roads in the backcountry. Stop posting and do something is one of the most frequently posted suggestions especially this time of year. There are entire threads devoted to it.:D
4eyedbuzzard
03-29-2009, 12:53
Although it's interesting to speculate about such things, I have little faith in such predictions of conditions or events in the distant future. Our time would be better spent dealing with the here and now.
A thread about what created the present Appalachians would be more interesting to me and informative to others who know nothing about plate tectonics or orogenies. It might be an opportunity to recommend books on the subject for those who would rather read than post.
People who post the same thing over and over might devote their time to writing an article and then spend their time hiking or become involved with trail maintenance.
Backpacker Magazine's "Guide to the Appalachian Trail" has some good info on the geology and formation of the different ridges ect of the Appalachians.
Other than that, I don't see why discussing the future is so irritating.
I don't see why discussing the future is so irritating.
It isn't! I just don't see the point. It's difficult and problematic enough to speculate about what may happen in the short term with climate if you get my drift.:D
I have better things to do with my time then heckle y'all today. As you were.:)
Don't believe everything you read on the internet:-?
saimyoji
03-29-2009, 13:40
Don't believe everything you read on the internet:-?
i don't get it.....thats a joke, right? :-?
Good to see Britain and Ireland remain islands unto themselves.
Looks like the epic hike from South America to Asia won't be such a big deal any more though...
Darwin again
03-29-2009, 16:28
It's interesting how the map maker postulates that a subduction zone will form off the east coast of North America. Will North America just get tired of drifting west and decide to take its life in another direction? That's kinda arbitrary...
Fun parlor games. :-?
Fun also to note that the continents drift at about the same rate your fingernails grow and the oceans have about the same salt content as blood.
Hmmmmm.
RITBlake
03-29-2009, 16:36
we'll all be long long gone
Don't believe everything you read on the internet:-?
Don't believe everything you read in a book:-?
It's interesting how the map maker postulates that a subduction zone will form off the east coast of North America. Will North America just get tired of drifting west and decide to take its life in another direction? That's kinda arbitrary...
Fun parlor games. :-?
Fun also to note that the continents drift at about the same rate your fingernails grow and the oceans have about the same salt content as blood.
Hmmmmm.
http://www.scotese.com/futanima.htm details the projected sequence. Talk about global climate change! Can't wait.:banana
Darwin again
03-30-2009, 11:09
I know the Web site.
It still doesn't logically explain why North America is going to drift west, then eastward again like a billiard ball on a table. Why isn't it going to collide with the Asian landmass and fuse into a new continent? Or does it and they just skipped that step?
Objects in motion, like continents, tend to stay in motion, you know.;)
beakerman
03-30-2009, 18:49
we'll all be long long gone
speak for yourself...I'm immortal:D
Jim Adams
03-30-2009, 19:17
Stop posting and do something is one of the most frequently posted suggestions especially this time of year. There are entire threads devoted to it.:D
Well....I was at Springer , Gooch Gap, Low Gap and also shuttleing hikers around 2 weeks ago. When was the last time you were on the AT? ....probably not within 2 months of YOUR post.:rolleyes:
geek
Let's see if we can make this thread about the people who post here instead of ideas and information which enhance the A.T. and journeys on it!:rolleyes:
When I last hiked on the A.T. is irrelevant so I won't be providing a date, but someone was way off the mark for what that's worth.:D This thread isn't about me or when I or anyone else last hiked.
If people think their time well spent discussing trails on mountains yet to be formed, I suggest everyone shut up and let them.:welcome I have better things to do with my time, hadn't planned on participating and won't be reponding to another post directed at me.
Back to you Darwin. Weren't you about to explain into the differences between continental and oceanic plates?:)
saimyoji
03-30-2009, 20:58
I know the Web site.
It still doesn't logically explain why North America is going to drift west, then eastward again like a billiard ball on a table. Why isn't it going to collide with the Asian landmass and fuse into a new continent? Or does it and they just skipped that step?
Objects in motion, like continents, tend to stay in motion, you know.;)
just a wild guess here.... but the tectonic plates "float" on "pillows" of magma. The magma in those pillows follow convection currents: cool magma at the surface falls down towards the core while magma from nearer the core rises as it is heated. Kinda like water boiling in those special pots. Anyways, the convection currents can change, changing the direction of the "drift" of the tectonic plate.
or some BS like that.
hey look over there....warrgy is gay. :p
Although it's interesting to speculate about such things, I have little faith in such predictions of conditions or events in the distant future. Our time would be better spent dealing with the here and now.
A thread about what created the present Appalachians would be more interesting to me and informative to others who know nothing about plate tectonics or orogenies. It might be an opportunity to recommend books on the subject for those who would rather read than post.
People who post the same thing over and over might devote their time to writing an article and then spend their time hiking or become involved with trail maintenance.
go ahead and start you own thread and stop whining about this one
You shouldn't stretch, you might hurt yourself and you're way off-base as usual. I'm not offended by the notion that the universe or Earth is older than Genesis suggests to those who take it literally. I've accumulated more than a few credits in geology and studied palaeobotany in some depth.
My comments had nothing to do with oil of bergamot or you. You might want to comb through your own posts especially those about roads in the backcountry. Stop posting and do something is one of the most frequently posted suggestions especially this time of year. There are entire threads devoted to it.:D
whine
It isn't! I just don't see the point. It's difficult and problematic enough to speculate about what may happen in the short term with climate if you get my drift.:D
I have better things to do with my time then heckle y'all today. As you were.:)
whine again
Let's see if we can make this thread about the people who post here instead of ideas and information which enhance the A.T. and journeys on it!:rolleyes:
When I last hiked on the A.T. is irrelevant so I won't be providing a date, but someone was way off the mark for what that's worth.:D This thread isn't about me or when I or anyone else last hiked.
If people think their time well spent discussing trails on mountains yet to be formed, I suggest everyone shut up and let them.:welcome I have better things to do with my time, hadn't planned on participating and won't be reponding to another post directed at me.
Back to you Darwin. Weren't you about to explain into the differences between continental and oceanic plates?:)
whine some more
:rolleyes:
TrippinBTM
03-30-2009, 21:14
haha, that's cute; people alive in 240 million years. You're funny. :D
Change is happening as we post. Continents are moving, inch by inch. I prefer to deal with matters I can influence -- like the developers eyeing the mountains of Maine adjacent to the trail corridor.
Weary www.matlt.org
Darwin again
03-31-2009, 09:11
In 250 million years, old men will still sit around campfires and get into arguments over stupid stuff. Whether it's the light of a campfire or the glow of a computer screen, some things are eternal...:rolleyes:
I would be interesting to have most of humanity on one super-continent. Without the oceans to keep us apart we would either have to just get along or we would end up killing each other.
New mountains would be awesome, hopefully some big ones will spring up around me, i'm tired of driving so far to get to the hills ;)
TrippinBTM
03-31-2009, 19:26
New mountains would be awesome, hopefully some big ones will spring up around me, i'm tired of driving so far to get to the hills ;)
You have no idea, friend. Try living in Michigan.
(I'm assuming your 'Allegheny' is in NY or PA, right?)
YoungMoose
03-31-2009, 19:30
From the science of the sea floor spreading and stuff id think that it could happen. i just think that by then the world went crazy and nuked eachother to extinction.
250 million years? Are you hilarious. We will be fortunate to last through Obama's administration.
Go rent Soylent Green with Charleston Heston. It's a movie based about what life will be like on Earth in the future. How far into the future no one can really say. If humans keep up with how we currently behave there will be no trees left for a trail through the "wilderness." The trail will be through the least populated alley ways or along a concrete path next to a highway or building.
TrippinBTM
03-31-2009, 20:20
Just for perspective, when we're talking about people hiking any trails in 250 million years. 250 million years ago, the dinosaurs hadn't evolved yet, neither had turtles, mammals, birds, or flowering plants.
Even if we somehow survive this modern age, we humans have only lived 100 thousand years; in even just one million years we'll be a totally different species. Who can say what would happen in 250 million years? How many comets would have hit the earth, how many major episodes of volcanism, how many ice ages? We're smart, but can we survive all that? We're still just talking apes, you know...
Maybe it'll be the aliens, or the superintelligent descendents of the humble octopus doing the hiking then.
You have no idea, friend. Try living in Michigan.
(I'm assuming your 'Allegheny' is in NY or PA, right?)
I'm the PA "Allegheny". I live in the flattest most boring part of one of the flattest most boring AT states :rolleyes:
TrippinBTM
04-01-2009, 20:32
I'm the PA "Allegheny". I live in the flattest most boring part of one of the flattest most boring AT states :rolleyes:
still, it's better than southeast michigan. I have to drive all the way to PA to find the first thing resembling a mountain.