Cerro Castellan (Castellan Mountain) is located near the Castolon Visitors Center (note the different spelling) on the scenic Ross Maxwell Drive in the Big Bend National Park. It is a mountain that we try to photograph during our annual visits to the park. I recently posted photos of the Santa Elena Canyon and of Chimneys Trail that were taken during my trip to the park last month. Both of these locations are a short distance away from the mountain.
The mountain is located in one of the most interesting geological areas of the region, the Terlingua Fault Zone. The Fault Zone sits atop where the North America plate slides under the South America plate. Evidence of past volcanic eruptions can be seen throughout the area. You can see the various layers along the top part of the mountain as well as the gray ash deposits from old volcanic vents behind the Prickly Pear cactus.
Geologist categorize rock formations into three areas; Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary. Igneous rocks are formed from the solidification of molten rock material. Metamorphic rocks have been modified by heat, pressure, and chemical processes. Sedimentary rocks are formed by the accumulation of sediments. Sub-categories have been defined below these three primary categories. Cerro Castellan is mostly comprised of Igneous rock formations given its volcanic past.
This image was taken with my Canon EOS 5D Mark III using my Canon EF 16-35mm f/4 Lens set on 35 mm. The camera was set on Aperture priority mode with the aperture set at f/22, shutter speed at 1/2 second and the ISO set at 100.
You can access all of my photographs of Big Bend National Park by clicking here. Please use the section below to post your comments, questions or suggestions.
© 2016 T. Kahler Photography
PS: Please don’t respond to this message as it will not reach me. Either post a comment or forward your response to my email address (terry@tkahler.com)
