Tag Archive for: UGS

Utah Geological Survey

GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE SHORT CANYON QUADRANGLE, EMERY COUNTY, UTAH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Hellmut H. Doelling and Paul A. Kuehne

The Short Canyon quadrangle in Emery County, central Utah, has some world-class examples of Utah’s spectacular geology. Driving through the quadrangle on the Moore Road takes you from the Jurassic Carmel Formation through about 100 million years or 3700 feet (1200 m) of rock into the Cretaceous Mancos Shale. Many species of dinosaur have been discovered in the Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation, which is beautifully exposed here. The Short Canyon Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation was mapped and newly described in the quadrangle. Mineral resources from the area include gypsum, coal, and chalcedony.

GIS files are provided in an ESRI file geo database and as ESRI shapefiles. Also included is a 13-
page booklet and two plates.

Map 255DM     $24.95

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Utah Geological Survey

GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE BIRDS NEST AQUIFER, UINTA BASIN, UTAH: ASSESSMENT OF THE AQUIFER’S POTENTIAL AS A SALINE WATER DISPOSAL ZONE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Michael D. Vanden Berg, Danielle R. Lehle, Stephanie M. Carney, and Craig D. Morgan

As petroleum production increases in the Uinta Basin, Utah, operators are pressed to establish
suitable saline water disposal plans. Several natural gas operators have identified the Birds Nest aquifer in central Uintah County as a possible large-scale, saline water disposal zone; however, disposal into this aquifer poses unique challenges and risks. The Birds Nest aquifer formed from the dissolution of saline minerals within a saline zone in the upper Green River Formation’s Parachute Creek Member. Through the examination of core, outcrop, and geophysical logs, we determined that the aquifer is separated into an upper zone, covering about 410 square miles with an average thickness of 79 feet, and a more extensive lower zone, covering about 719 square miles with an average thickness of 84 feet. The fact that the Birds Nest aquifer lies within the Uinta Basin’s oil shale horizon raises questions as to how large-scale, saline water disposal into this zone might impact potential future oil shale development.

Special Study 147     $39.95

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Utah Geological Survey

What is the correct name of…?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Among the more commonly asked questions we receive at the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) are those dealing with the correct names of Utah’s geographic features.

Perhaps the best tool for answering these questions is a searchable database established and maintained by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This database, called the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), is available online at geonames.usgs. gov.

Following the American Civil War, a surge of exploration, mining, and settlement of western territories created many inconsistencies and contradictions in geographic names, which became a serious problem for surveyors, map makers, and scientists.

To address this problem, President Benjamin Harrison signed an executive order that created the U.S. Board on Geographic Names in 1890 (the current form of the board was established by a 1947 law). Technology, such as geographic information systems, global positioning systems, and the Internet increases the need for standardized data on geographic names, but it also makes accessing that data quick and easy through the GNIS.

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Utah Geological Survey

PICTURE THIS: ARE YOU READY FOR A 2012 CALENDAR?

sltrib.com

The Utah Geological Survey has released its 2012 Calendar of Utah Geology. Of the more than 300 photos that were submitted, 33 were selected for the 2012 calendar.

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Utah Geological Survey

District to look at study results

thespectrum.com

Reports from the Utah Geological Survey top the agenda for Thursday’s Central Iron County Water Conservancy District meeting. Geologist Bill Lund is presenting information about water subsidence in and fissures found in Enoch, which is part of the study.

Lund said the study is almost complete and so far concludes that the water table in the area of Enoch near Midvalley Road is permanently lowered because of overdrawing water from the aquifer resulting in the fissures.

“Basically, we are going to summarize what we’ve found to date,” he said. “We’ve found more fissures and land subsidence.”

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Utah Geological Survey

Renewable Energy Conference set March 27 at SLCC

Deseret News

The 2010 Utah Renewable Energy Conference will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus.

Hosted by the Utah Solar Energy Association, the event will feature details about a new Utah State Energy Program rebate for home and business owners; local clean energy companies; and experts in solar, wind and energy-efficiency technologies.

The cost is $5 for individuals and $10 for families or groups of two to five people. Attendees will receive $100 off a solar energy system from installers participating in the conference.

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RELATED LINKS

Details and registration

Utah Geological Survey

When can Utahns get cash for appliances?

KSL.com

Interest in the program has been growing since it was announced.

Best Buy sales supervisor Thomas Guzman says, “Customers are coming in wanting to know what qualifies, what does not qualify and what the dollar amount is on the actual rebate itself.”

Guzman says Best Buy has an idea of which products will qualify for the state rebate, but it’s waiting on an official list from the state.

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RELATED LINKS
Utah Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program
Rebates for ENERGY STAR appliances
Energy Savers website

Utah Geological Survey

Study of Co-Benefits of Efficiency and Renewables in Utah: Air Quality, Health, and Water Benefits

Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. (Synapse) was contracted by several Utah State agencies, including the Utah State Energy Program, the Division of Public Utilities, the Division of Air Quality, the Committee of Consumer Services, and the Governor’s Energy Advisor, to develop and apply methods of calculating water and health co-benefits of displacing electricity generation technologies in Utah with new energy efficiency or renewable energy.

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Utah Geological Survey

2009 UGS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Mike Hylland who was named the 2009 UGS Employee of the Year.  Mike has worked for the UGS for 16 years and does an extraordinary job balancing duties as technical editor and geologic researcher. Mike is quite knowledgeable and professional, and his work ethic and demeanor are exemplary. As a patient, positive, and well-rounded reviewer, he strives for consistency and thoroughness, but is also flexible and willing to look at an author’s particular viewpoint. His ongoing contributions to fault studies in northern Utah and maintenance of the Quaternary fault database are long-lasting. Overall, Mike’s excellent technical skills and great temperament make him the perfect UGS role model.

Utah Geological Survey

Calendar of Utah Geology 2010

The 2010 calendar from the Utah Geological Survey is now available. The ‘Calendar of Utah Geology 2010’ features photographs of geologic vistas from around Utah. UGS staff took all of the photos in the Calendar.

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