Tag Archive for: DNR

Snow highlights cross-bedding on the sides of buttes and mesas along the Clear Creek drainage on the east side of Zion National Park. Cross-beds in the nearly 2,000-foot-thick Jurassic-age Navajo Sandstone formed in ancient sand dunes and reflect changing wind directions as the sand was being deposited. Zion National Park, Kane County, Utah Photographer: Adam Hiscock; © 2015

The mornings are becoming a little crisper, and night comes a little quicker. It won’t belong before we see this scene!

POTD 10-6-15 Zion National Park, Kane County

Zion National Park, Kane County, Utah
Photographer: Adam Hiscock; © 2015

Snow highlights cross-bedding on the sides of buttes and mesas along the Clear Creek drainage on the east side of Zion National Park. Cross-beds in the nearly 2,000-foot-thick Jurassic-age Navajo Sandstone formed in ancient sand dunes and reflect changing wind directions as the sand was being deposited.

Chocolate Drops, Maze District of Canyonlands National Park, Wayne County, Utah Photographer: Tyler Knudsen; © 2015

Fall is upon us and October is just around the corner. If there were a Pumpkin Spice Geology, maybe it would look a little like this photo. What do you think? We’re in the Fall spirit here at the UGS!

9-29-15

Chocolate Drops, Maze District of Canyonlands National Park, Wayne County, Utah
Photographer: Tyler Knudsen; © 2015

Alpenglow illuminates the glacially sculpted Stansbury Mountains as seen from the shores of Great Salt Lake. Deseret Peak (11,031 feet), the leftmost high summit, is the range’s highest peak and is underlain by Cambrian-age Prospect Mountain Quartzite. Stansbury Mountains, Tooele County, Utah. Photographer: Gregg Beukelman; © 2015

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

POTD 9-25-15 Stansbury Mountains Tooele County

Stansbury Mountains, Tooele County, Utah
Photographer: Gregg Beukelman; © 2015

Alpenglow illuminates the glacially sculpted Stansbury Mountains as seen from the shores of Great Salt Lake. Deseret Peak (11,031 feet), the leftmost high summit, is the range’s highest peak and is underlain by Cambrian-age Prospect Mountain Quartzite.

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eastern Uinta Basin, Uintah County, Utah
Photographer: Michael Vanden Berg; © 2014

Algal stromatolites from the Green River Formation, eastern Uinta Basin, Uintah County.

Here are a few more great articles highlighting the work some of our geologists have done towards recent earthquake research in the Salt Lake Valley:

kutv.com

Scientists help builders, planners prepare for Utah’s big quake

Utah’s seismic scientists are sounding a warning about impending earthquakes in Utah. They say Utah is not prepared for a major earthquake even though science tells us it is when, not if, one will hit the Wasatch front.

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fox13now.com

Experts suggest Utah unprepared for possibility of powerful earthquake

Experts say the state of Utah is not prepared for a big earthquake, and seismologists at the Earthquake Research Institute predict if a 7.0-magnitude quake hit the Wasatch Fault Line it would cost the state about $33 billion in economic losses.

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good4utah.com

Utah not ready for a major earthquake

A new study says Utah is not ready for a major earthquake.

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UGS geologists conducting a trench investigation to gather fault and earthquake data.

Take a quick minute today on your afternoon break to think about earthquake preparedness. What have you done around your home to help relieve potential damage from a large earthquake? Have you talked to your family and friends, do you have an action plan if an earthquake occurs?

A team of geologists, including some of our very own Utah Geological Survey geologists, have been studying the Taylorsville-West Valley City fault over the last couple of weeks. They hope to gain a better understanding of the fault’s ability to produce large earthquakes, and if that fault tends to rupture with or without the Wasatch Fault. Below are a couple of articles outlining all of their hard work and findings!

deseretnews.com

Geologists sample Taylorsville-West Valley fault line to study earthquake risk

A team of geologists has dug a 150-foot trench by the Salt Lake City International Airport to study the Taylorsville-West Valley City fault, and its rock samples will help scientists forecast when the next major earthquake could erupt along the Wasatch fault.

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ksl.com

Utahns ‘lulled into a false sense of security’ in earthquake prep

A team of geologists has dug a 150-foot trench by the Salt Lake City International Airport to study the Taylorsville-West Valley City fault, and its rock samples will help scientists forecast when the next major earthquake could erupt along the Wasatch fault.

READ MORE

Tilted and folded Precambrian-age strata on Mount Superior (11,132 feet). Mount Superior, Salt Lake County, Utah. Photographer: Mike Hylland; © 2014

POTD 9-9-15 Mount Superior Salt Lake County

Mount Superior, Salt Lake County, Utah
Photographer: Mike Hylland; © 2014

Tilted and folded Precambrian-age strata on Mount Superior (11,132 feet).

Erosion pockets in Wingate Sandstone, Cohab Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park, Wayne County. Capitol Reef National Park, Wayne County, Utah Photographer: Adam McKean; © 2014

Another weekend already?? Well we’re not complaining! Who’s got plans to get out into Utah geology this weekend?

8-28-15 POTD Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park, Wayne County, Utah
Photographer: Adam McKean

Erosion pockets in Wingate Sandstone, Cohab Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park, Wayne County.

Travertine deposit at Mystic Hot Springs, Sevier County, Utah Photographer: Paul Kuehne; © 2014

Happy Friday, friends! Who’s getting out in the big Utah wild this weekend? Mystic Hot Springs is a great destination!

Mystic Hot Springs POTD 7-28-15

Travertine deposit at Mystic Hot Springs, Sevier County, Utah
Photographer: Paul Kuehne; © 2014

Hematite concretions eroded from the Navajo Sandstone. Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Garfield County, Utah Photographer: Michael Vanden Berg; © 2014

POTD 7-21-15 hematite concretion Grand staircase-escalante

Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Garfield County, Utah
Photographer: Photographer: Michael Vanden Berg; © 2014

Hematite concretions eroded from the Navajo Sandstone.