Death Valley's Many Layers
Death Valley is famous among geologists because it offers the chance to study a variety of exposed and accessible ancient rock.
Cactus and Creosote
The mountains of Death Valley are dry and sparsely vegetated, supporting some grasses and the odd creosote bush and cactus.
A Mobile Dry Erase Board
Caltech's John Grotzinger, lead scientist for the Curiosity Mars rover mission, likes to get white cars for his geology field trips, so he can use the vehicles as mobile dry erase boards.
Coachwhip Snake in Death Valley
A coachwhip — a fast-moving, nonvenomous snake — cruised through the courtyard of our hotel in Shoshone, Calif., on April 30, 2012.
Old Bed Frame in Death Valley
A rusty old bed frame bakes in the Death Valley sun. Many prospectors came here in the early to mid-20th century to seek their fortunes in precious metals, but few struck it big.
Curiosity Rover Lead Scientist Talks Geology
John Grotzinger, lead scientist for NASA's Curiosity Mars rover, talks about the geologist's craft on April 30, 2012, during a field trip to California's Death Valley.
Ancient Stromatolites in Death Valley
Fossilized billion-year-old stromatolites — structures created by sediment-trapping microbial mats — in California's Death Valley.
Old Talc Mine in Death Valley
An old talc mine in Death Valley. Nearby are great fossils of billion-year-old stromatolites, mound-like structures built by sediment-trapping microbial mats.
Death Valley Geology Lesson
Caltech's John Grotzinger, lead scientist for NASA's Curiosity Mars rover, discusses Death Valley geology and points out our route up a slope on May 1, 2012.
Death Valley Mountain Vista
An ancient lake bed sits beyond a mountain range in Death Valley.
Clambering up a Death Valley Slope
A group of science reporters hikes up a Death Valley slope on May 1, 2012.
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
