Tag Archive for: Utah Geological Survey

Check out the latest dino news! One of our paleontologists, Scott Madsen, discovered this little guy in 1997 in what is called the Cloverly Formation in southern Montana. Utah State Paleontologist, James Kirkland, talks more about the fossil’s significance in this article.

cbsnews.com

Paleontologists have identified the fossil of a horned dinosaur the size of a house cat that is the oldest of its kind ever discovered in North America – by 15 million years.

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Colorful Canyon on the Paria Plateau, Kane County, Utah. Photographer: Gregg Beukelman

POTD 12-9-14 Parla Plateau, Kane County

Colorful Canyon on the Paria Plateau, Kane County, Utah
Photographer: Gregg Beukelman

Mollusk shells along the southwest shore of Bear Lake, Rich County. Photographer: Mark Milligan

POTD Bear Lake Shells 12-2-14

Bear Lake, Rich County, Utah
Photographer: Mark Milligan; © 2013

Mollusk shells along the southwest shore of Bear Lake, Rich County.

San Juan Oil Field Deformation Band

San Juan Oil Field Deformation Band

Deformation bands, Aneth oil field, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Craig Morgan; © 2013

Small fault in the Moenkopi Formation, San Rafael Swell, Emery County, Utah. Photographer: Michael Vanden Berg

POTD Fault San Rafael

Small fault in the Moenkopi Formation, San Rafael Swell, Emery County, Utah
Photographer: Michael Vanden Berg; © 2013

Water-filled potholes in the White Rim Sandstone, Canyonlands National Park, San Juan County. Photographer: Don DeBlieux

POTD Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Don DeBlieux; © 2013

Water-filled potholes in the White Rim Sandstone, Canyonlands National Park, San Juan County.

Not only does Utah’s geology make for stunning landscapes, the textures are pretty great too!

Paria Plateau, Kane County, Utah
Photographer: Tyler Knudsen; © 2013

Liquefaction features in Navajo Sandstone, Paria Plateau, Kane County.

November is here! We hope you all had a great and safe Halloween. It won’t be long before Christmas is on the horizon; treat family, friends, or even yourself to a whole year gorgeous Utah geology. It features photos of Utah’s stunning geology taken by UGS employees. Be sure to stop by the Utah Natural Resources Map & Bookstore or ONLINE HERE to buy yours today!

deseretnews.com

Each year, a fierce but friendly competition delivers some of the most stunning photographs of Utah scenery — and the best examples are compiled in a calendar available for purchase.

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UGS paleontologists Jim Kirkland and Don DeBlieux spent last week assisting a crew from Utah State Parks and the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in moving a large petrified tree to the park for display. The park received permission from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to move the tree from land they manage just outside the town of Escalante, and they called in UGS paleontologists to consult with and oversee the move. Several pieces of heavy equipment were needed to lift the log, which was already separated into sections, onto a flatbed truck for the several-mile drive to the park. Eighteen sections were moved, including the base of the tree that was estimated to weigh over 2 tons, and lifted back into place in the sand-filled concrete enclosure that had been constructed to house the tree. The park is known for its large number of petrified logs eroding out of the 150-million-year-old Morrison Formation rocks. These logs are found on a plateau above the park entrance that can only be accessed by a fairly rugged hike, so not all visitors will have the time or the ability to see them. By having a large tree on display near the visitors center, many more people, including those with physical challenges, will be able to view and learn about the fossils found in this region. The cooperation of the BLM and State Parks for the benefit of Utah citizens and visitors was well exemplified during this project.

Incised petroglyphs, Canaan Gap, Washington County, Utah
Photographer: Tyler Knudsen; © 2013