San Rafael Swell near Muddy Creek, Emery County

Photographer: Scott Madsen © 2016

9-27-16

Colorful, rounded slopes are typical of the Brushy Basin Member of the Jurassic-age Morrison Formation. Clayey bentonite beds in the Morrison often have a distinctive “popcorn” weathering texture resulting from expansion of the clay minerals when they get wet.

With hunting season just around the corner the DNR Map & Bookstore can help you map and plan your hunt.
Our BLM Surface Management Maps show land ownership by color and include public and private land, roads, and more.

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Come see us at the Department of Natural Resources building on the corner of North Temple and Redwood Road in Salt Lake City, or SHOP ONLINE.

UGS has received an exciting new core donation from Whiting Oil & Gas. It’s from four wells near the northern end of the San Rafael Swell with core from the Moenkopi Formation.

Contact the Utah Core Research Center for additional information.

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9-20-16

View from Brian Head peak, Iron County

Photographer: Paul Inkenbrandt © 2016

moabsunnews.com

Science is fun and should be accessible to everyone – plus, there are many interesting scientific happenings on the Colorado Plateau – according to organizers of the first-ever Moab Festival of Science, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 25.

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smithsonianmag.com

When a six mile-wide asteroid struck the Earth 66 million years ago, it was one of the worst days in the history of the planet. About 75 percent of the known species were rapidly driven to extinction, including the non-avian dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus, the flying pterosaurs, the coil-shelled squid cousins called ammonites, and many more.

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Markagunt Plateau, Iron County

Photographer: Tyler Knudsen © 2016

9-13-16

An unnamed lake fills one of countless sinkholes formed on southern Utah’s Markagunt Plateau. Dark boulders of Quaternary-age lava have collapsed into the sinkhole that is likely rooted in limestone of the underlying Tertiary-age Claron Formation.

The Utah Geological Survey 2017 Calendar of Utah Geology has arrived! The calendars are on sale for $4.95 each or $4.25 for orders of 10 or more at the Utah Natural Resources Map & Bookstore, 1594 West North Temple in Salt Lake City.

The photos are taken by staff members who are often on assignment in some of the most intriguing areas of the state.

 

Our latest issue of Survey Notes is here!

Find articles on the salt crust on Great Salt Lake’s north arm, the geothermal project near Milford, Utah and more among our regular featured columns.

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VIEW THE LATEST ISSUE

Check out past issues

9-6-16
Along the Colorado River, Grand County
Photographer: Ryhan Sempler © 2016