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New geologic map of the Virgin area
May 12, 2008 The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) has released a new geologic map covering an area of approximately 50 square miles from Hurricane Mesa on the north to Gooseberry Mesa on the south, divided by the Virgin River. The town of Virgin is included in the map area. The map area is just west of Zion National Park. Over 3000 feet of colorful 270 to 180 million-year-old sedimentary rocks are exposed in the mesas and canyons. Contrasting with these sedimentary rocks are four black basalt lava flows between 200,000 and 1 million years old. Also identified are landslide deposits, the state’s oldest oil field (the Virgin oil field was discovered in 1907), the pipeline diversion dam on the Virgin River, as well as flagstone quarries and sand and gravel pits. Mapping was jointly funded through a cooperative agreement between the UGS and the U.S. Geological Survey under the National Geologic Mapping Act. The Geologic Map of the Virgin Quadrangle, Washington County, Utah (Map 231) is in digital format and includes two plates. The map is available for $19.95 at the Natural Resources Map & Bookstore, located at 1594 West North Temple, Salt Lake City (801-537-3320 or 1-888-UTAHMAP; geostore@utah.gov). |