These fossils indicate previous geologic and environmental settings. The university specializes in engineering as well as geologic and hydrogeologic research. Such rivers are frequently found in regions with limestone geologic formations. Fossils are important for estimating when various lineages developed in geologic time. Radiometric dating continues to be the predominant way scientists date geologic timescales. The Quaternary glaciation created more lakes than all other geologic processes combined. The formations become narrower due to erosion over geologic time scales. This is the last episode of undoubted magmatic activity preserved in the geologic record. Mount Le Conte lies in the Appalachian Blue Ridge geologic and physiographic province. This event marks the beginning of Nectarian period of the lunar geologic timescale. Paleontology seeks to map out how life evolved across geologic time. Seven criteria have been established for the recognition of past life within terrestrial geologic samples. Canyons, ravines, gullies, buttes, mesas, hoodoos and other such geologic forms are common in badlands. Paleoceanography studies the history of the oceans in the geologic past. Glaciers are among the most conspicuous and dynamic geologic features on Mount Rainier.