Arches National Park, Grand County, Utah
Photographer: Don DeBlieux; © 2013
Dissolution of subsurface salt caused the collapse of the Salt Valley anticline, forming vertical fractures in the Jurassic-age Entrada Sandstone. Weathering along the fractures has produced the spectacular fins, towers, and arches in the Devils Garden section of Arches National Park.
“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
deseretnews.com
The Utah Geological Survey has released a publication containing 10 geologic hazard maps for an area of western Salt Lake Valley that includes portions of Herriman, West Jordan and South Jordan.
San Rafael Swell, Emery County, Utah
Photographer: Robert Ressetar; © 2013
Triassic-age sedimentary rocks in the San Rafael Swell, Emery County.
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.
Wasatch Range, Utah County, Utah
Photographer: Stevie Emerson; © 2013
Glacially carved Timpanogos Basin in the Wasatch Range, Utah County.
Kolob Canyon may be off the beaten path, but remains a fan favorite when visiting Zion National Park. Did you know that it also displays some of the park’s oldest geology? Tyler Knudsen, one of our geologists here at the Utah Geological Survey, talks about the geology present in Kolob Canyon in this video. Check it out!
good4utah.com
Good 4 Utah is celebrating Utah’s diverse and unique geologic history this summer. Kylie Bearse and photographer Gus Seashore are traveling to Utah’s famous landmarks, and a few spots you may not have known about, to learn more about our state’s geology.
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.
Waterpocket Fold, Capitol Reef National Park, Garfield County, Utah
Photographer: Adam Hiscock; © 2013
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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