The Origin and Extent of Earth Fissures in Escalante Valley, Southern Escalante Desert, Iron County, Utah
The Origin and Extent of Earth Fissures in Escalante Valley, Southern Escalante Desert, Iron County, Utah

Author: William R. Lund

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 2005-08

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13: 1557917302

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This CD contains a 30-page report and 37-photo appendix of an investigation by the Utah Geological Survey of five recently discovered earth fissures in southwestern Utah. The earth fissues, which likely resulted from aquifer compaction due to ground-water withdrawal, were revealed after floodwater infiltrated into and enlarged the fissures during January 2005. This study discusses the geology and hydrology of the Escalante Valley where the fissures formed, includes maps of the fissure traces, discusses the most probable cause of fissure formation, and presents recommendations for future study. 30 pages + 37 page appendix

Investigation of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah
Investigation of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah

Author: Paul Inkenbrandt

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 2014-03-12

Total Pages: 122

ISBN-13: 1557918910

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This 116-page report presents the results of an investigation by the Utah Geological Survey of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah. Basin-fill sediments of the Cedar Valley Aquifer contain a high percentage of fine-grained material susceptible to compaction upon dewatering. Groundwater discharge in excess of recharge (groundwater mining) has lowered the potentiometric surface in Cedar Valley as much as 114 feet since 1939. Groundwater mining has caused permanent compaction of fine-grained sediments of the Cedar Valley aquifer, which has caused the land surface to subside, and a minimum of 8.3 miles of earth fissures to form. Recently acquired interferometric synthetic aperture radar imagery shows that land subsidence has affected approximately 100 mi² in Cedar Valley, but a lack of accurate historical benchmark elevation data over much of the valley prevents its detailed quantification. Continued groundwater mining and resultant subsidence will likely cause existing fissures to lengthen and new fissures to form which may eventually impact developed areas in Cedar Valley. This report also includes possible aquifer management options to help mitigate subsidence and fissure formation, and recommended guidelines for conducting subsidence-related hazard investigations prior to development.

2016GUIDELINES FOR INVESTIGATING GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND PREPARING ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY REPORTS, WITH A SUGGESTED APPROACH TO GEOLOGIC-HAZARD ORDINANCES IN UTAH
2016GUIDELINES FOR INVESTIGATING GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND PREPARING ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY REPORTS, WITH A SUGGESTED APPROACH TO GEOLOGIC-HAZARD ORDINANCES IN UTAH

Author: Steve D. Bowman

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 2016-09-21

Total Pages: 217

ISBN-13: 1557919291

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The purpose of these guidelines for investigating geologic hazards and preparing engineering-geology reports, is to provide recommendations for appropriate, minimum investigative techniques, standards, and report content to ensure adequate geologic site characterization and geologic-hazard investigations to protect public safety and facilitate risk reduction. Such investigations provide important information on site geologic conditions that may affect or be affected by development, as well as the type and severity of geologic hazards at a site, and recommend solutions to mitigate the effects and the cost of the hazards, both at the time of construction and over the life of the development. The accompanying suggested approach to geologic-hazard ordinances and school-site investigation guidelines are intended as an aid for land-use planning and regulation by local Utah jurisdictions and school districts, respectively. Geologic hazards that are not accounted for in project planning and design often result in additional unforeseen construction and/or future maintenance costs, and possible injury or death.

Hydrogeologic Studies and Groundwater Monitoring in Snake Valley and Adjacent Hydrographic Areas, West-central Utah and East-central Nevada: report (304 pages), 4 Plates, Appendices and data tables
Hydrogeologic Studies and Groundwater Monitoring in Snake Valley and Adjacent Hydrographic Areas, West-central Utah and East-central Nevada: report (304 pages), 4 Plates, Appendices and data tables

Author: Hugh A. Hurlow

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 2015-02-01

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 155791902X

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This report (269 pages, 4 plates) presents hydrogeologic, groundwater-monitoring, and hydrochemical studies by the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) in Snake Valley, Tule Valley, and Fish Springs Flat in Millard and Juab Counties, west-central Utah. Data From the newly established UGS groundwater-monitoring network establish current baseline conditions, and will help quantify the effects of future variations in climate and groundwater pumping. New hydrochemical data show that groundwater quality is generally good, major-solute chemistry varies systematically from recharge to discharge areas, and suggest that most groundwater was recharged over one thousand years ago, implying low recharge rates and/or long or slow flow paths. Two aquifer tests yield estimates of transmissivity and storativity for the carbonate-rock and basin-fill aquifers. Variations in the potentiometric surface, hydrogeology, and hydrochemistry are consistent with the hypothesis of regional groundwater flow from Snake Valley northeast to Tule Valley and Fish Springs. Collectively, our work delineates groundwater levels, flow, and chemistry in Snake Valley and adjacent basins to a much greater degree than previously possible, and emphasizes the sensitivity of the groundwater system to possible increases in groundwater pumping.

Geology of Millard County, Utah
Geology of Millard County, Utah

Author: Lehi F. Hintze

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 1557916926

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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.