From everyone at the Utah Geological Survey, we hope you have a Merry Christmas that rocks!
Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area, Kane County, Utah
Photographer: Tyler Knudsen
Morning sunlight illuminates water-sculpted walls of the Buckskin Gulch slot canyon. Cut deeply into Jurassic-age Navajo Sandstone, the Buckskin’s slot ranges from 5 to 25 feet wide and 100 to 500 feet high for 12 miles, making it the longest slot canyon in the world.
We send all of our geo friends good tidings on this Christmas Eve!
Bear Lake, Rich County, Utah
Photographer: Jim Davis
Jurassic-age Nugget Sandstone is wave-weathered into smooth, rounded forms on the east shore of Bear Lake, Rich County.
Capitol Reef National Park, Wayne County, Utah
Photographer: Tyler Knudsen
Sheer walls of Jurassic-age Wingate Sandstone loom over a barn and orchards of historic Fruita in Capitol Reef National Park, Wayne County.
Abajo Mountains, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Grant Willis
Blocky sandstone ledge deposited in an oasis-like setting between ancient sand dunes forms a resistant cap over beds of the Jurassic-age Navajo Sandstone. Chippean Rocks west of the Abajo Mountains, San Juan County.
White Canyon, Natural Bridges National Monument, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Michael Vanden Berg
The Owachomo Bridge was created by stream erosion of the Permian-age Cedar Mesa Sandstone. Owachomo, a Hopi term meaning “rock mound,” is named for the large rock mass found on the northeastern abutment of the bridge.
POTD December 17, 2013: Middle Desert Overlook, Capitol Reef National Park, Wayne County, Utah
Photographer: Stefan Kirby
Eroding buttes of the Middle Jurassic-age Entrada Sandstone and overlying Curtis Formation. Middle Desert Overlook, Capitol Reef National Park, Wayne County.
Canyonlands National Park, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Sonja Heuscher
Pothole reflection of Jurassic-age Wingate Sandstone cliffs in the Permian-age White Rim Sandstone. Canyonlands National Park, San Juan County
The Windows Section, Arches National Park, Grand County, Utah
Photographer: Nicholas Daniels
North Window Arch frames the distant landscape through a fin of the Jurassic-age Entrada Sandstone. The Windows Section, Arches National Park, Grand County.
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Daggett County, Utah
Photographer: J. Buck Ehler
Fire-scarred hillside of Precambrian-age Uinta Mountain Group strata. Red Canyon, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Daggett 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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Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
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Salt Lake City, Utah 84114
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