This self-guided geologic trip will lead you through times when inland seas, ancient mountains, vast mud flats, sandy deserts, and massive glaciers ruled Utah's landscape. You will learn how colliding crustal plates changed Utah's face, how the metallic ores of the Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon mining districts formed, how regional geological structures affect our local geology, and why the sheer walls of Big Cottonwood Canyon are so different from the tame, rolling hills of the Park City area.
This report presents the results of the Utah Quaternary Fault Parameters Working Group (hereafter referred to as the Working Group) review and evaluation of Utah’s Quaternary fault paleoseismic-trenching data. The purpose of the review was to (1) critically evaluate the accuracy and completeness of the paleoseismictrenching data, particularly regarding earthquake timing and displacement, (2) where the data permit, assign consensus, preferred recurrence-interval (RI) and vertical slip-rate (VSR) estimates with appropriate confidence limits to the faults/fault sections under review, and (3) identify critical gaps in the paleoseismic data and recommend where and what kinds of additional paleoseismic studies should be performed to ensure that Utah’s earthquake hazard is adequately documented and understood. It is important to note that, with the exception of the Great Salt Lake fault zone, the Working Group’s review was limited to faults/fault sections having paleoseismic-trenching data. Most Quaternary faults/fault sections in Utah have not been trenched, but many have RI and VSR estimates based on tectonic geomorphology or other non-trench-derived studies. Black and others compiled the RI and VSR data for Utah’s Quaternary faults, both those with and without trenches.
This bulletin serves not only to introduce the non-geologist to the rich geology of Millard County, but also to provide professional geologists with technical information on the stratigraphy, paleontology, and structural geology of the county. Millard County is unique among Utah’s counties in that it contains an exceptionally complete billion-year geologic record. This happened because until about 200 million years ago the area of present-day Millard County lay near sea level and was awash in shallow marine waters on a continental shelf upon which a stack of fossil-bearing strata more than 6 miles (10 km) thick slowly accumulated. This bulletin summarizes what is known about these strata, as well as younger rocks and surficial deposits in the county, and provides references to scientific papers that describe them in greater detail. Mountains North 30 x 60 (1:100,000-scale) quadrangles. These companion maps and this bulletin portray the geology of Millard County more completely and accurately than any previously published work.
Geologic exposures in the Salt Lake City region record a long history of sedimentation and tectonic activity extending back to the Precambrian Era. Today, the city lies above a deep, sediment-filled basin flanked by two uplifted range blocks, the Wasatch Range and the Oquirrh Mountains. The Wasatch Range is the easternmost expression of major Basin and Range extension in north-central Utah and is bounded on the west by the Wasatch fault zone (WFZ), a major zone of active normal faulting. During the late Pleistocene Epoch, the Salt Lake City region was dominated by a succession of inter-basin lakes. Lake Bonneville was the last and probably the largest of these lakes. By 11,000 yr BP, Lake Bonneville had receded to approximately the size of the present Great Salt Lake.
This publication presents probabilistic earthquake forecasts developed by the Working Group on Utah Earthquake Probabilities which developed 30,50, and 100 year forecasts that include combined time dependent probabilities of large earthquakes for the five central segments of the Wasatch Fault Zone.
Striking beauty, abundant recreational opportunities, historic mining and pioneer locales, and a unique geologic story stretching back over one billion years make Salt Lake County’s Wasatch Front canyons a world-class attraction. This guide highlights the six canyons open to vehicles. Topical pages present the region’s fascinating geologic history and active processes, while descriptions and maps with road mileage further explain each canyon’s geology.
Northern Utah's Wasatch Mountains are popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts in every season. These mountains rise spectacularly from the relatively flat valley floor to thirteen peaks over 11,000 feet in elevation. An additional nineteen peaks rise more than 10,000 feet in elevation. Although many hiking guides exist for the Wasatch Mountains, there has been no guide book that focuses on the geologic features visible from the trails--until now. Written by a recognized authority on the geology of the Wasatch Mountains, this guide is meant to enrich the experience of outdoor enthusiasts who want to understand the geological history and development of the Wasatch range. The first section of the book introduces the major geological time periods--the record of mountain building events from oldest to youngest, the effects of glaciation, and the development of the present topography. It then follows with a descriptive trail guide for each major trail system, including Mill Creek and Neffs Canyons, Mount Olympus, Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons, and Bells Canyon. Trail length, elevation gain, relative difficulty, and major geological features are outlined for each trail. Now you can hike these trails with the answers to all your geologic questions right at your fingertips.
This is a 3D atlas of Utah's Wasatch Mountains covering the area from Salt Lake City to Park City, and southward to Provo. These mountains and canyons are popular with locals and natives for year-round activities that include hiking, camping, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and touring. The 3D Atlas contains detailed maps of an area of 832 square miles (2155 square kilometers) presented in a completely new way. The scale is one-half mile to the inch. Two pairs of red/cyan 3D glasses are included in each book.
The purpose of this study is to provide geologic information important in assessing ground-water resources and siting water wells in the Snyderville basin. This geologic study was one phase of a cooperative and more comprehensive water-resource investigation. Subsequent phases conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Division (USGS WRD), focused on the hydrology of the Snyderville basin. The information presented in this report is generalized and is not intended to substitute for site-specific investigations. Future detailed studies will add to the understanding of the geology and ground-water resources of the study area and supplement the information presented herein. 59 pages + 15 plates
