POPULAR GEOLOGY

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Utah’s unique geologic features tell many stories that cover many geologic subjects. A variety of rocks, minerals, and fossils can be found, some exclusive to Utah. The diverse mountain ranges, basins, and plateaus in Utah were formed from an extensive geologic history of tectonic compression, uplift, and extension. Ice ages, more recent geologic events, caused glaciers to grow, melt, and erode the earth to form more landforms. Explore the many geologic features of Utah in our popular geologic topics below.

A dark knob of rock sticks out of the mostly flat landscape.
A dark knob of rock sticks out of the mostly flat landscape.
Gypsum crystals from drying mudflats are blown into dunes patterned with sinuous ripples along the eastern margin of the Great Salt Lake Desert. Gypsum—an evaporite mineral that is soluble in water—is an uncommon constituent of sand. Knolls Dunes, Tooele County, Utah. Photo by Andy Cvar.
Gypsum crystals from drying mudflats are blown into dunes patterned with sinuous ripples along the eastern margin of the Great Salt Lake Desert. Gypsum—an evaporite mineral that is soluble in water—is an uncommon constituent of sand. Knolls Dunes, Tooele County, Utah. Photo by Andy Cvar.
Red and orange striped cliffs above old wooden fencing.

Popular Geology Topics

Utah Geology State Symbols

Coal originates as plant matter that accumulates in wetlands or bogs. Anaerobic bacteria break down the plant matter and convert it to peat through the removal of oxygen and hydrogen. As the peat is buried by sediment and begins to compress, and as temperature and pressure increase, the peat is converted into lignite, then subbituminous coal, then bituminous coal, and finally anthracite. Most of the coal mined in Utah is bituminous, and nearly all of the mined coal (85%) is burned at power plants to produce electricity. Mining is primarily concentrated in the central part of the state in Emery, Carbon, and Sevier Counties, and production averages 14-16 million tons a year.
Coal originates as plant matter that accumulates in wetlands or bogs. Anaerobic bacteria break down the plant matter and convert it to peat through the removal of oxygen and hydrogen. As the peat is buried by sediment and begins to compress, and as temperature and pressure increase, the peat is converted into lignite, then subbituminous coal, then bituminous coal, and finally anthracite. Most of the coal mined in Utah is bituminous, and nearly all of the mined coal (85%) is burned at power plants to produce electricity. Mining is primarily concentrated in the central part of the state in Emery, Carbon, and Sevier Counties, and production averages 14-16 million tons a year.
The 2021 Utah State Legislature passed a bill naming honeycomb calcite as the official state stone. Honeycomb calcite ranges in color form pale yellow to golden orange and when cut and polished, takes on a translucent nature and a honeycomb appearance. During the Eocene to early Miocene (between about 40 and 15 million years ago), calcite precipitated from hydrothermal fluids flowing through fractures in Mississippian-age (about 350 million years old) carbonate rocks. First discovered in the area by Floyd Anderson in 1995, the only place in the world honeycomb calcite is found is in Duchesne County, Utah.
The 2021 Utah State Legislature passed a bill naming honeycomb calcite as the official state stone. Honeycomb calcite ranges in color form pale yellow to golden orange and when cut and polished, takes on a translucent nature and a honeycomb appearance. During the Eocene to early Miocene (between about 40 and 15 million years ago), calcite precipitated from hydrothermal fluids flowing through fractures in Mississippian-age (about 350 million years old) carbonate rocks. First discovered in the area by Floyd Anderson in 1995, the only place in the world honeycomb calcite is found is in Duchesne County, Utah.
For Teachers: teaching kits, field trip itineraries, and more.

Popular Interactive Maps

Dry landscape of white, flat ground and protruding hexagonal ridges.

Bonneville Salt Flats Storymap

A changing landscape and modern research.
Salt Lake City Building Stones Tour

Building Stones of Downtown Salt Lake City

Walking tour starting at the Utah State Capitol.
Boulder in front of a canyon with some people walking by.

G.K. Gilbert Geologic View Park

Guide to the park and its unique features.
A valley of green and red trees among mountains.

Geologic Canyon Tour

Tour the canyons of the Wasatch Front.

Geologic Map Portal

Navigate and download Utah geologic maps.
GeoSights Tour

GeoSights

Explore Utah’s lesser-known geologic wonders.
Great Salt Lake is likely best known for its high salinity and large size. Yet this unique lake also supports mineral and brine-shrimp industries, provides a resting place for millions of migratory birds, and reveals varied spectacular sights. Sunsets over distant islands, white beaches, and water colors ranging from blue to pink offer inspiration for artists. Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, Utah. Photographer: Carole McCalla

Great Salt Lake Density and Chemistry Hub

Visualize sampling data and trends

Lake Bonneville Storymap

30,000 years of lake levels in the Bonneville basin.

Utah’s Energy Resources

Explore Utah's diverse energy portfolio.
A single dinosaur track with three toes impressed into the rock.

Visitor Guide to Utah Fossils

Where to see Utah’s fossils and dinosaurs.