La Sal Mountains, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah
Photographer: Jay Hill
The La Sal Mountains, near Moab in southeastern Utah, are laccoliths formed when upwelling magma intruded into and bulged the overlying sedimentary rock layers upward. The magma did not reach the surface, but subsequent erosion of the softer sedimentary rocks exposed the peak-forming igneous rocks that rise above the surrounding landscape.
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.
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
Sipapu Bridge, Natural Bridges National Monument, San Juan County, Utah.
Photographer: Tyler Knudsen
Rainbow Bridge National Monument, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Mike Hylland
Rainbow Bridge near Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, San Juan County, Utah.
Canyonlands National Park, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Chris DuRoss
“Zeus,” a 250-foot sandstone pinnacle, Canyonlands
National Park, San Juan County, Utah.
Paradox Basin, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Michael Vanden Berg
Crude-oil pump jack, Paradox Basin, San Juan County, Utah.
Lost Canyon, Needles District, Canyonlands
National Park, San Juan County, Utah.
Photographer: Robert Blackett
Backpackers traverse a “slick rock” rim of the Permianage Cedar Mesa Sandstone.
The La Sal Mountains viewed through Mesa Arch in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Taylor Boden
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.