Utah Geological Survey
, , ,

News on the Latest UGS Rockfall Investigation in the Zion Area

kcsg.com

Residents living within high rock-fall-hazard zones in Rockville, Utah, face the possible consequences of a large rock fall similar to the fatal event that occurred last December. That is the principle finding of a geologic investigation into the rock fall that killed two people on December 12, 2013. That afternoon, a huge, joint-controlled rock mass, with an estimated volume of almost 1,400 cubic yards and weighing about 2,700 tons, detached from the cliff face at the top of the Rockville Bench, near Zion National Park. The rock mass fell onto the steep slope below the cliff, and shattered into numerous fragments. The rock fall debris then moved rapidly downslope before striking and destroying a house, detached garage, and a car. The largest boulder to strike the house weighed an estimated 520 tons.

READ MORE

Utah Geological Survey

2013 UGS Employee of the Year

Congratulations to Tom Chidsey who was named the 2013 UGS Employee of the Year. Tom is a senior scientist with the Energy and Minerals Program and has worked at the UGS for 24 years. Tom always strives to make everything he does perfect. From core workshops to field trips to reports, he always goes above and beyond. Tom consistently produces a high volume of superb quality work, has impeccable character, and brings respect and praise to the UGS. His work on the petroleum geology of Utah is so well respected that he has been invited several times by many organizations to present talks on the subject. Tom is a role-model employee, carrying a heavy workload capably, cheerfully, and with high productivity and integrity. He is a deserving recipient of the UGS Employee of the Year Award.

Tom Chidsey accepts award from Utah Geological Survey Director, Rick Allis.

Utah Geological Survey
,

UGS’s Dr. Jim Kirkland, State Paleontologist of Utah, at the “2013 Utah Governor’s Medals for Science and Technology” awards banquet

UGS’s Dr. Jim Kirkland, State Paleontologist of Utah, was the keynote speaker for the “2013 Utah Governor’s Medals for Science and Technology” awards banquet held on January 15, 2014, at The Leonardo in Salt Lake City. The annual event honors outstanding achievements in science relative to education and technical innovation. Kirkland addressed this year’s theme on dinosaurs by presenting an historical overview of Utah’s outstanding dinosaur heritage, while Dr. Randy Irmis, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Utah, served as the master of ceremonies.

Dr. Jim Kirkland and Governor Gary Herbert

 

Utah Geological Survey

Like Our Facebook Page—Win a Calendar!

Many of you may already know the Utah Geological Survey has a Facebook page. Well, did you know that you could win a 2014 Calendar of Utah Geology by liking our page? Now you do! We’re giving away one of our gorgeous 2014 calendars to the 2,000th person to like our Facebook page! We appreciate all our followers and want to say thank you for joining our Facebook group. By liking our page you’ll get the same great pictures, articles, and geology news you get right here on our blog, and you can quickly share them with all your Facebook friends. Plus, you can send us your favorite Utah geology picures, and connect with other fans of Utah geology. If you already like our page, tell your friends to like us, too! If one of your friends happens to be our 2,000th like, maybe they’ll share the calendar with you! After all, what are friends for?

AND if you happen to be a Twitter user, we’re also giving away a calendar to the 800th follower! Twitter is a great way to get geology pictures, info, and news quickly!

So, now it’s time for you to ask your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and the occasional friendly stranger to go online and like the UGS Facebook page or follow the UGS on Twitter. Our 2014 calendar is amazing and it could be yours for FREE! Keep an eye on the numbers and good luck!

Like us here: UGS Facebook

Find us on Twitter here: UGS Twitter

Info on the calendar here: 2014 Calendar of Utah Geology

Utah Geological Survey

Scientists simulate movement of largest-known dinosaur

standard.net

Using laser scanning and sophisticated computer modeling, scientists in England and Argentina have simulated the likely lumbering gait of the largest-known dinosaur, according to a new study.

READ MORE

Utah Geological Survey

DNR building front gets a new addition!

Check out this little clip documenting the installation of the new signage!

Then come in and check out all of the publications available at the
Utah Natural Resources Map & Bookstore
Or take a look online:
mapstore.utah.gov

Utah Geological Survey

Tuesday, October 1, 2013: Field Review of New Geologic Mapping, Sigurd Quadrangle, Utah

Mapped by
Hellmut H. Doelling1 and Paul A. Kuehne 2

1 Utah Geological Survey, retired
2 Utah Geological Survey, Mapping Program
A STATEMAP project supported by the Utah Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

 Trip highlights:

  • examination and discussion of the northern portion of the Marysvale volcanic pile
  • newly mapped Oligocene volcanic intrusions
  • discussion of the contested Sanpete-Sevier Valley anticline and associated structures including the surface structure over the Covenant oil field
  • contorted Middle Jurassic Arapien and Twist Gulch Formations
  • Paleogene sedimentary strata including the Flagstaff, Colton, Green River, Crazy Hollow, Aurora and Dipping Vat Formations
  • Silicified beds of the Crazy Hollow Formation?

The purpose of the review is to give the public and local government officials an opportunity to learn about new geologic research in their district, and to give geologists and others an opportunity to critique the map before it is published.

Information

  • Assemble Tuesday October 1st at 7:30 a.m. 2 miles north of Sigurd in the parking lot of the Cedar Ridge Station near the junction of Utah 24 and Utah 118.  To get there from Salina go 7 miles west on I-70 to exit 48 then head south and follow the sign to Capitol Reef.
  • Anyone is invited – please circulate this notice among your colleagues.
  • There is no charge, but for planning purposes, we ask that you RSVP to the Utah Geological Survey (email: starrsoliz@utah.gov; or call 801-537-3300).
  • A few short but strenuous hikes are planned.
  • A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is required; a limited number of spaces may be available in UGS vehicles within the fieldtrip area (not to or from Salt Lake City)
  • Please bring a sack lunch, water, boots, hat, and field clothes.
  • If severe weather threatens, please call the UGS office on day before to see if canceled.
  • This field review is in conjunction with the review of Cedar City geologic mapping on October 2 (see other notice or contact the Utah Geological Survey for more information).

Questions?
Contact Paul Kuehne at the Utah Geological Survey, 1594 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6100; Telephone (801) 537-3300, Fax (801) 537-3400, email paulkuehne@utah.gov.

Utah Geological Survey

Mudslide damages Alpine home; more flooding possible

heraldextra.com

Torrential rains caused a major mudslide in Alpine just before midnight on Thursday, putting 18 inches of mud into the basement of one home. Kaitlyn Dix was home alone around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday when tragedy was compounded by hardship. She had just gotten a call from her mother, Dixie Dix, saying that her grandmother had died. Within five minutes, the mudslide swept through the yard, breaking through a bathroom window and inundating the basement. Firefighters arrived on the doorstep just as her sister, Nicole, arrived home from a concert, and the women were told they had “30 seconds” to evacuate. They spent the night at a neighbor’s home.

READ MORE

Utah Geological Survey

POTD August 19, 2013: Gooseneck State Park, San Juan County, Utah

Gooseneck State Park, San Juan County, Utah

Photographer: Mike Hylland

 

The bent mariposa is found in coarse, sandy soils at elevations of 2,700 to 6,500 feet in the arid lands of the southern part of the state. Utah’s impressive topography directly influences temperature and precipitation and consequently shapes Utah’s flora and fauna. The state’s substantial elevation differential—over two vertical miles between the highest and lowest points—contributes to a variety of habitats and a great diversity of species. Mountains force air to flow up in a process called “orographic lifting,” which causes air to cool and humidify, and enhances precipitation.