Tag Archive for: geologic

Utah Geological Survey

SURVEY NOTES volume 41, number 3

snt41-3GEOLOGIC HAZARDS IN UTAH

This issue contains:

    New Geologic Hazards Mapping in Utah

*Landslide Inventory Mapping in Twelvemile
Canyon, Central Utah
*Second Damaging Y Mountain Rock Fall in
Four Years
*Large Rock Fall Closes Highway Near
Cedar City, Utah
*Logan Landslide
*Teacher’s Corner
*GeoSights: Utah’s belly button, Upheaval Dome
*Glad You Asked: What should you do if you find a fossil?
Can you keep it? Should you report it?
*Energy News: Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Demonstration
Project Underway in Utah!
*Survey News
*New Publications

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Utah Geological Survey

OPEN-FILE REPORT 550

ofr-550SNOWMELT-INDUCED GROUND-WATER FLUCTUATIONS IN SELECTED NORTHERN UTAH LANDSLIDES—PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM THE 2007–08 LANDSLIDE WATER YEAR
Francis X. Ashland

The relationship between ground-water levels and late winter/early spring snowmelt was evaluated at selected northern Utah landslides where ground-water observation wells had previously been installed. The period of investigation between September 2007 and August 2008 was characterized by generally wetter-than-normal conditions in the fall and early winter and subsequent drier-than-normal conditions. Snowfall in early winter resulted in a sustained snowpack that lasted through early 2008 at low elevation and into the spring at higher elevation. Ground-water levels predictably rose with melting snow, but the proportion of the rise attributable to melting of the winter snowpack varied. Peak  ground-water levels consistently followed the onset of snowmelt, and locally occurred subsequent to local snowmelt around the vicinity of the observation well. At some locations, high ground-water levels were sustained for weeks or longer despite dry conditions in the spring and early summer.

print on demand (19 p.)

OFR-550……….$8.95

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Utah Geological Survey

A Tale of Two Breccia Types in the Mississippian Leadville Limestone, Lisbon and Other Fields, Paradox Basin, Southeastern Utah

David E. Eby, Thomas C. Chidsey, Jr., Douglas A. Sprinkel, & Michael D. Laine

Presented at the American Association of Petroleum Geologists annual convention, Denver, CO, June 2009.

ABSTRACT

Breccia associated with sediment-filled cavities is relatively common throughout the upper third of the Mississippian Leadville Limestone in Lisbon and other fields, Paradox Basin, southeastern Utah. These cavities or cracks are related to karstification of the Leadville during exposure in Late Mississippian time. Infilling of the cavities by detrital carbonate and siliciclastic sediments occurred before deposition of the Pennsylvanian Molas Formation. The transported material consists of poorly sorted detrital quartz grains, chert fragments, and clasts of carbonate and clay. The carbonate muds infilling the karst cavities are very finely crystalline and non-porous dolomites.

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RELATED INFO

Utah Geological Survey

The Gothic Shale at Greater Aneth Oil Field, Paradox Basin, Southeastern Utah: Seal for Hydrocarbons and Carbon Dioxide Geological Sequestration

Thomas C. Chidsey, Jr., Stephanie Carney, Jason Heath, and Thomas Dewers

Presented at the American Association of Petroleum Geologists annual convention, Denver, Colorado, June 9, 2009.

ABSTRACT

Greater Aneth oil field, Utah’s largest oil producer, was discovered in 1956 and has produced over 451 million barrels (bbls) of oil. Located in the Paradox Basin of southeastern Utah, Greater Aneth is a stratigraphic trap producing from the Pennsylvanian Paradox Formation. Because it represents an archetype oil field of the western U.S., Greater Aneth was selected to demonstrate combined enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) sequestration. The Aneth Unit in the northwestern part of the field has produced 149 million bbls of the estimated 450 million bbls of OOIP—a 33% recovery rate. The large amount of remaining oil made the Aneth Unit ideal to demonstrate both CO2 storage capacity and EOR by CO2 flooding.

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RELATED INFO

Utah Geological Survey

New Geologic Maps of Parts of Utah Valley and Adjacent Areas

The Utah Geological Survey’s newest geologic maps could prove useful in efforts to address geologic hazard and resource issues in Utah County. The maps cover parts of central and southern Utah Valley and surrounding areas.

The maps, each of which covers an area of about 55 square miles, include the Goshen Valley North (Map 230), Lincoln Point (Map 232), Provo (Map 233), Soldiers Pass (Map 235), and West Mountain (Map 234) 7.5’ quadrangles. Collectively, the maps include West Mountain, the southern part of the Lake Mountains, and parts of Goshen and Utah Valleys, as well as parts of the communities of Provo, Springville, Spanish Fork, and Payson.

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GET THEM HERE

M-230
M-232
M-233
M-234
M-235

Utah Geological Survey

OPEN-FILE REPORT 552

WHOLE-ROCK GEOCHEMICAL DATA FOR THE SOLDIERS PASS QUADRANGLE
Eric H. Christiansen

This report makes available raw analytical data from laboratory procedures completed to determine the geochemistry of rock samples collected during geologic mapping partially supported by the Utah Geological Survey (UGS). Additional information about these samples is available in Biek and others (2009) and Christiansen and others (2007). These  data were prepared by Brigham Young University, Department of Geological Sciences, under contract to the UGS. These data are highly technical in nature and proper interpretation requires considerable training in applicable geochemical techniques.

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Utah Geological Survey

A New Round of Grant Applications Sought for Energy Efficiency Efforts in Utah

The Utah State Energy Program (USEP) has issued a Request for Grant Applications for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Outreach, Education, and Marketing Campaigns. A total of $500,000 is available for this grant.

It is anticipated that the funds will be issued through two-to-six separate grants. Applicants are encouraged to seek partnerships with utilities, local governments or other resources to help leverage marketing and education.

The purpose of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Outreach, Education, and Marketing Campaigns is to increase the adoption of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies, and to increase participation in USEP programs.

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Utah Geological Survey

PUBLIC INFORMATION SERIES 94

pi-94

ROCK-FALL HAZARDS IN UTAH
Jessica Castleton

Rock falls pose a hazard in Utah because we live, work, and recreate in close proximity to mountains and mesas. Large rock fragments and boulders accelerate rapidly when dislodged from cliffs and hillsides and can cause significant damage to homes, property, roadways, and vehicles, as well as loss of life. Recent damaging rock falls in Utah highlight the importance of recognizing this hazard. This 4-page, full color brochure provides more information on the rock fall hazard in Utah, including causes of rock falls, how to recognize the hazard, and what you can do to reduce potential rock fall damage.

4 p. (2 sided) brochure

PI-94……….free

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Utah Geological Survey

MAP 241

m-241-insertGEOLOGIC MAP OF THE WHITE HOUSE QUADRANGLE, GRAND COUNTY, UTAH
Hellmut H. Doelling and Paul Kuehne

The White House quadrangle is located northeast of Arches National Park in eastern Utah. Exposed strata range from Late Jurassic Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation to Late Cretaceous Mancos Shale. The quadrangle overlies the ancestral Paradox basin and is influenced by salt-related folds, including the Salt Valley anticline to the west and Cisco Dome to the east.

CD (2 pl., 1:24,000)

M-241………$14.95

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Utah Geological Survey

MAP 240

m-240GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE SAGERS FLAT QUADRANGLES, GRAND COUNTY, UTAH
Hellmut H. Doelling and Paul Kuehne

The Sagers Flat quadrangle is located northeast of Arches National Park in eastern Utah. Exposed strata range from Early Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation to Late Cretaceous Mancos Shale. The area overlies the ancestral Paradox basin and is influenced by salt-related folds, including the Salt Valley anticline to the west and Cisco Dome to the east.

CD (2 pl., 1:24,000)

M-240……….$14.95

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