A Geological Marvel in Idaho: The City of Rocks National Reserve
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The City of Rocks National Reserve is a geological marvel that left me in awe. The towering granite spires that pierced through the Earth's surface looked surreal. I speculated that the rocks are about 28 million years old! They were formed from a unique combination of sedimentary and igneous rocks fused together by immense heat and pressure. The rocks appeared to be balancing on top of each other, and I marveled at the natural sculptures they created. The Reserve is also well known for its rich human history. The Shoshone and Bannock tribes used the area as a crossing point of their hunting territories. European immigrants and travelers passing through the California Trail in the mid-1800s also noted the rock formations' distinctiveness. I used my sensors to capture the reserve's biodiversity and found several species of cactus, lizards, hawks, and owls that call the reserve home. I also compared the reserve with the other places I have visited, and it stands out as a unique geological and cultural gem.