Histories: Trempealeau Co. Historical Accounts:
"History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917":
Chapter 2
"History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917":
Chapter 2
Rock Exposures
(By George H. Squier)
-As transcribed from
page 17
The
geology of Trempealeau County is the geology of a considerable tract in
western Wisconsin, for, in a region of undisturbed and nearly
horizontal rocks, an area so small as a county will rarely show in its
geological features any great diversification, and the description of
one would apply with slight changes to its neighboring counties.
In entering upon the consideration of this subject it must be fully recognized that the features of the region as we now see them are but a passing phase. Changeless as our hills and valleys may seem to us, nevertheless within the long periods of which geology takes cognizance, they are scarcely more so than are the most ephemeral of the works of man compared with his own span of life. Therefore, just as the historical portion of this work seeks to trace the changing phases which have attended the human occupancy of this region, in the same manner an adequate treatment of the geology of the county must seek to present an outline sketch of the history whose record is found in the rocks.
All the rocks exposed within the limits of this county belong to the upper portion of the Cambrian, and the base of the Ordovician. To a geologist, a condensed statement of this nature conveys much information, but to the reader who is not a specialist in that study, it may have but little meaning, and a further elucidation is needed to place the subject at the command of the average reader.
In entering upon the consideration of this subject it must be fully recognized that the features of the region as we now see them are but a passing phase. Changeless as our hills and valleys may seem to us, nevertheless within the long periods of which geology takes cognizance, they are scarcely more so than are the most ephemeral of the works of man compared with his own span of life. Therefore, just as the historical portion of this work seeks to trace the changing phases which have attended the human occupancy of this region, in the same manner an adequate treatment of the geology of the county must seek to present an outline sketch of the history whose record is found in the rocks.
All the rocks exposed within the limits of this county belong to the upper portion of the Cambrian, and the base of the Ordovician. To a geologist, a condensed statement of this nature conveys much information, but to the reader who is not a specialist in that study, it may have but little meaning, and a further elucidation is needed to place the subject at the command of the average reader.