smithsonianmag.com
“Spot the Rock” is back this week with a riddle! What Utah-“rock” is rarer than diamonds, and more valuable than gold?
Check for updates next week to see the answer! Like us on FACEBOOK or follow us on TWITTER to participate!
UPDATE: Answer revealed
Last week’s “Spot the Rock” was definitely one for our rock hounding friends. And everyone guessed right! Red Beryl is found in Utah, is rarer than diamond, and more valuable than gold.
The gemstone has several different names: red beryl, red emerald, or bixbite. Originally, the mineral was named bixbite, but now red beryl is the most accepted designation. Red beryl is estimated to be worth 1,000 times more than gold and is so rare that one red beryl crystal is found for every 150,000 diamonds.
Read more about the mineral HERE
San Rafael Swell, Emery County, Utah
Photographer: Robert Ressetar; © 2013
Triassic-age sedimentary rocks in the San Rafael Swell, Emery County.
standard.net
Aaron Garrett gave folks at the last School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration meeting a few things to think about — 10 things, to be exact, that he feels should be top-of-mind for the agency that manages land for the benefit of Utah public schools and other institutions.
kcsg.com
The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) has released a publication containing 10 geologic-hazard maps for an area of western Salt Lake Valley that includes portions of the rapidly developing cities of Herriman, West Jordan, and South Jordan. The maps address hazards associated with earthquakes, landslides, flooding, debris flows, indoor radon, shallow groundwater, rock fall, shallow bedrock, and problem soil and rock (collapsible and expansive soils). The maps present a comprehensive hazard assessment and were prepared by compiling scientific and field data.
Snow Canyon State Park, Washington County, Utah
Photographer: Daniel King; © 2013
Eroded fragments of a dark ironstone layer contrast sharply against the pale-orange Jurassic-age Navajo Sandstone at Snow Canyon State Park. In places, the iron- and manganese-rich ironstone forms a resistant cap at the top of sandstone columns or pillars called hoodoos.
We reflect on our American heritage with July 4th on the horizon and our weekend adventures coming up. How about a little Utah history to go with it? Sedimentary rocks are telling teachers in piecing together Utah’s geologic history. Check it out in our “Glad You Asked” article HERE!
Wasatch Range, Utah County, Utah
Photographer: Stevie Emerson; © 2013
Glacially carved Timpanogos Basin in the Wasatch Range, Utah County.
Wasatch Range, Utah County, Utah
Photographer: Stevie Emerson, © 2013
The Wasatch Range was once home to more than 60 glaciers. On the east slope of Mount Timpanogos, Emerald Lake occupies a glacially carved cirque in the Pennsylvanian-age Bear Canyon Member of the Oquirrh Formation.
Spiral Jetty, Great Salt Lake, Box Elder County, Utah
Photographer: Mark Milligan; © 2013
Black basalt boulders of the Spiral Jetty in Great Salt Lake, Box Elder County.
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.
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