by Jessica J. Castleton, Ben A. Erickson, and Emily J. Kleber

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The Moab quadrangle is located in the south-central portion of Grand County, Utah. Currently, the area is experiencing rapid development and population growth, that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. As urbanization expands into areas less suited for development, geologic hazards become of increasing concern in the planning, design, and construction of new facilities and infrastructure. This geologic-hazard investigation of the Moab quadrangle incorporates available geologic, hydrologic, soil, and geotechnical information to identify where geologic hazards may exist, and where detailed, site-specific, geotechnical/geologic-hazard investigations are necessary to protect health, welfare, and safety. This study provides maps and information for 13 geologic hazards: shallow groundwater, salt tectonics-related ground deformation, flooding, landsliding, rockfall, radon gas potential, collapsible soil, expansive soil and rock, corrosive soil and rock, soluble soil and rock, piping and erosion, wind-blown sand, and shallow bedrock. The maps are an aid for general planning to indicate where site-specific geotechnical/geologic-hazard investigations are necessary. The accompanying report describes the hazards and provides background information on data sources and the nature and distribution of hazards and potential mitigation measures.

San Rafael Swell, Emery County
Photographer: Andy Cvar © 2018
Reduced and oxidized mudstone of the Triassic-age Chinle Formation.

nationalgeographic.com

Illinois-born Stephen Brusatte is one of the stars of modern paleontology. A former National Geographic grantee, he has discovered 10 new dinosaur species. He has also led groundbreaking scientific studies that have rewritten the history of these magnificent creatures which, thanks to Hollywood and countless children stories, haunt our imaginations today like never before.

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ksl.com

SNOW CANYON STATE PARK — If you’re looking to get off the trail and explore the treasures of Snow Canyon State Park, the Petrified Dunes hike is the place to go.

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fox13now.com

VERNAL, Utah — One of the world’s most impressive collections of ancient petroglyphs is found on private property in Eastern Utah, just north of Vernal.

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good4utah.com

RIVERDALE, Utah (News4Utah) Some Riverdale homes are closer than ever to falling off the edge of a steep bluff. New measurements taken this week show it’s likely to happen sooner rather than later.

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suindependent.com

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, approximately 23,000 vehicles travel through the impressive scenery of the Virgin River Gorge on Interstate 15 daily. Located in the northwestern corner of Arizona, the Virgin River Gorge can be considered with a modest dose of imagination to be a geological example of the rabbit hole in “Alice in Wonderland.” With even a passing interest, it becomes evident that there are major changes in the geography and geology from one end to the other. These changes are due to the fact that hiding in plain sight within the gorge is a major geologic province boundary. This boundary separates the Colorado Plateau Province on the east from the Basin and Range Province on the west (Figure 1). Significant differences geographic and geologic features are a result of differences in the geologic history and the geologic processes that are operating below the surface of these two provinces. Exposed rocks visible in the gorge, however, provide “forensic” evidence for what is happening.

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kutv.com

(KUTV) — On Sunday afternoon, two visitors were injured by a rockfall at Zion National Park.

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