A spectacular look at Capitol Reef National Park.
Capitol Reef National Park, Garfield County, Utah
Photographer: Rich Emerson; ©2011
Burr Trail switchback in the Waterpocket Fold, Capitol Reef National Park, Garfield County.
Tag Archive for: Garfield County
Hite Crossing vicinity, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Garfield and San Juan Counties, Utah
Photographer: Don DeBlieux; ©2011
Permian- and Triassic-age sedimentary rocks color the shorelines of dam-impounded Lake Powell near the confluence of the Colorado and Dirty Devil Rivers. Although the lake water has submerged numerous relicts of ancient animal (including human) and plant life, traces of prehistoric life can still be found along the lake shores and in some tributaries.
Devils Garden, Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Garfield County, Utah
Photographer: Ken Krahulec
Metate Arch is sculpted by weathering and differential erosion of two sandstone layers along the contact of the Gunsight Butte and overlying Cannonville Members of the Jurassic-age Entrada Sandstone. The arch is about 17 miles southeast of Escalante, just east of the Straight Cliffs.
Here is a gorgeous photo to the end of another great year. We wish all of our geo friends a safe and wonderful New Year. See you in 2014!
Henry Mountains, Garfield County, Utah
Photographer: Ken Krahulec
The “dome” character of a laccolith, where the sedimentary rock layers are tilted upward on the mountain flanks, is evident at Mount Ellsworth in the Henry Mountains, Garfield County.
Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Garfield County, Utah
Photographer: Rich Emerson
Cottonwood trees in a slot canyon, Rattle-snake Bench, Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Garfield County.
Straight Cliffs Formation, Garfield County, Utah
Photographer: Jim Kirkland
Hoodoos in the Calico sandstone of the Cretaceous-age Straight Cliffs Formation, Garfield County, Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield County, Utah
Photographer: Tyler Knudsen
Water plunges over a dolomite ledge within the otherwise easily erodible limestone of the Eocene-age Claron Formation in Water Canyon. A canal (the “Tropic Ditch”) diverts water from the East Fork of the Sevier River seven miles across the Paunsaugunt Plateau divide to the head of Water Canyon, creating a steady flow during the summer and fall that is vital to the nearby towns of Tropic and Cannonville.
This photo was submitted to us by Dennis Udink. You can see the Henry Mountains viewed through Summerville Formation hills near the Little Wild Horse road (Goblin Valley area in Emery county).
The Henry Mountains were formed around 31 to 25 million years ago when partially molten rock, from the Earth’s interior, forced its way into overlying sedimentary rocks forming huge domes called laccoliths. Subsequent erosion has exposed the igneous rocks which make up the high peaks of the mountains. Mt Ellen is one of Utah’s highest peaks (outside the Uinta Mountains) at 11,522ft. The domed and arched sedimentary rocks form the flanks of the range.
One of the more notable inhabitants of the range are the Henry Mountains Bison Herd, which wildlife scientists believe to be only one of four free-roaming, genetically pure bison herds in North America.
Great photo Dennis! Remember, you can always submit photos to the Utah Geological Survey at ugssmedia@gmail.com, on Facebook, or on Twitter.
Capitol Reef National Park, Garfield County, Utah
Photographer: Paul Kuehne
The Waterpocket Fold affords a wonderful view of the geology of Grand Gulch. The Entrada Sandstone (reddish-orange rock on the right) and Navajo Sandstone (pale-orange rock on the left and middle distance) were formed in a desert environment beginning about 185 million years ago in the Jurassic Period.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield County, Utah
Photographer: William Lund
The Pink Cliffs (Eocene-age Claron Formation) form the uppermost step of southwestern Utah’s spectacular Grand Staircase.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is a division of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Several specialized programs comprise the UGS: Data Management, Energy & Minerals, Geologic Hazards, Geologic Information & Outreach, Geologic Mapping, Groundwater & Wetlands, and Paleontology.