The Cockscomb, Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Kane County, Utah
Photographer: Stevie Emerson; © 2012
The Cockscomb formed along the steeply tilted sedimentary layers of a geologic feature known as the East Kaibab monocline. Faulting and erosion have shaped the tilted Jurassic and Cretaceous-age rocks into the spectacular “rooster’s comb” features seen today along Cottonwood Canyon Road.
Who’s ready to get back out into that beautiful Utah Spring scenery?
Scudder Lake, Uinta Mountains, Duchesne County, Utah
Photographer: Ken Krahulec; © 2012
Scudder Lake in the glaciated Uinta Mountains, Duchesne County.
Have a fun weekend, everyone!
Skyline Drive, Wasatch Plateau, Sanpete County, Utah
Photographer: Rich Emerson; © 2012
At 10,133 feet, winter clings to outcrops of the Tertiary-age Flagstaff Limestone near the crest of the Wasatch Plateau at Snow Lake. The steep, forested slope to the left (east) of the lake is a scarp associated with one of several faults forming a down-dropped crustal block called the Snow Lake graben.
Here are several more articles about the UGS rockfall investigation, including our own news release with links to the published report.
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.
Hands down, Utah’s geologic beauties rock!
White Rim Trail, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Don DeBlieux; © 2012
Sandstone buttes and mesas along the White Rim Trail, San Juan County.
This scenery is no April Fools’—have a great afternoon!
Canyonlands National Park, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Don DeBlieux; © 2012
Water from a recent storm fills shallow pools on the Permian-age White Rim Sandstone near the White Rim Trail. The trail traverses a broad bench formed by the resistant sandstone above the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers.
The Wedge overlook, Emery County, Utah
Photographer: Ken Krahulec; © 2012
Little Grand Canyon from The Wedge overlook, Emery County.
Factory Butte, Wayne County, Utah
Photographer: Stevie Emerson; © 2012
The Muley Canyon Sandstone Member of the Cretaceous-age Mancos Shale forms a protective cap at the top of Factory Butte, allowing it to tower 1,500 feet above badlands of the easily erodible Blue Gate Shale Member. These rocks record the existence of an inland sea covering much of Utah around 90 million years ago.
House Range, Juab and Millard Counties, Utah
Photographer: Jim Davis; © 2012
Swasey Mountain and the House Range, Juab and Millard Counties.
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.
1594 West North Temple, Suite 3110
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
801-537-3300 (phone)
801-537-3400 (fax)
Mailing Address:
PO BOX 146100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114
Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
