492 



THE TRIASSIC PERIOD 



Fig. 417. Sketch-map of Europe showing areas of sedimentation in the early 

 part of the Triassic period. The broken lines represent areas of non-marine de- 

 posits; the full lines, areas of marine deposits. (After De Lapparent.) 



the southern Alps a topography so striking that the localities where 

 it is seen have become the objective point of travel, both for geolo- 

 gists, and for lovers of wild and picturesque scenery. In these re- 

 gions the dolomite (limestone) stands up in bare, bold-faced walls, 

 peaks, and towers, surrounded and separated by valleys and passes 

 clothed with abundant vegetation. The decay of the projecting 

 limestone leaves little soil behind, and the little formed is promptly 

 carried away by wind and rain. The Trias of the western Alps is 

 largely non-marine, and in some parts of Switzerland the Upper 

 Trias contains coal and igneous rocks. The Trias of the Italian 

 Alps is the source of the Carrara marble. 



Other continents. The marine phase of the system, similar to 

 that of southern Europe, continues eastward to southern Asia. It 

 is found also in the high latitudes of Asia, including numerous 



