Geology of the upheaval dome impact structure, southeast utah. United states meteorite impact craters upheaval dome crater. A perplexing geologic feature called upheaval dome forms a conspicuous feature within canyonlands national park of utah. The upheaval dome of sw utah originated by collapse of a transient cavity formed by an impact. The central peak in the core is 3000 feet in diameter and rises 750 feet from the floor.
Each location receives a twopage presentation with text, photos and a map. The core consists of the oldest rock formations at upheaval. Structural observations and stratigraphic variability in jurassic strata, upheaval dome, canyonlands national park, utah, usa. Extensive excerpts from the popular hiking book, utah s favorite hiking trails. Upheaval dome, a possible salt dome in the paradox basin. Roadside geology of utah is a riveting account of the forces that made the brilliant cliffs, mountains, and canyonlands we see today.
For decades, two theories about the formation of utahs upheaval dome jostled for supremacy. History of investigation upheaval dome was first noted during a reconnaissance. While recent structural mapping, modeling, and analyses of deformation mechanisms strongly support an impact origin. Intact, domes are distinct, rounded, sphericaltoellipsoidalshaped protrusions on the earths surface. Viewed from the air, it resembles somewhat a volcanic or meteor crater and has been called such by some. Five miles northwest of the y we come to upheaval dome, one of the most unusual geographic and geologic features of the park. Geology of coral pink sand dune state park, kane county, utah by richard l. Perhaps, with time, we may solve the mystery of this crater and others on. Stokes helps you visualize what utah looked like during different geologic periods and also highlights areas where the geologic record is absent such as the middle triassic. In the past the salt dome theory had the widest following among geologists. The rim of upheaval dome is 3 miles across and over feet above the core floor. This hike begins at the upheaval dome trailhead 38. Recent research findings support the meteorite hypothesis, but questions still remain. A third theory is that upheaval dome is the remanent of an ancient salt dome that was pushed up by subterranean forces millions of years ago and then eroded to its present form.
Interesting that there are two competing theories on how the upheaval dome came about. Canyonlands and arches national parks by bill schneider. Seismic reflection study of upheaval dome, canyonlands. Upheaval dome is a geologic structure whose origins have remained hotly debated for years. Top view of upheaval dome on colorado plateau in canyonlands national park, southeastern utah, usa, and position of sample location. Map of utah latitude 37o42 o, longitude 109 o 114o, showing location of upheaval dome.
Looking at upheaval dome through pictures wont even begin to give you a sense of how big it is, so do yourself a favor and see it in person. At first glance the unusual circular structure appears to be a large crater, but geologically it more closely resembles an ancient dome. But this theory doesnt adequately account for the crater at the top of the dome. Between this book and hintzes similar book, utah has some really good geology books that make the landscape come alive. Canyonlands country, eighth field conference, 1975 pages 225234 upheaval dome, a possible salt dome in the paradox basin, utah. Upheaval dome is a striking geologic structure in the canyonlands national park of southern utah. Geologists have two possible theories for what caused upheaval dome, which you can learn about along the trail. Upheaval dome is one of the most interesting geologic formations in utah.
A panorama stitched from photos taken from the south rim looking northward into the structure in sept. The crater is located in the island in the sky section of the park, and is approximately 42 miles 67 km by vehicle from moab. Definitely do the hike out to the second overlook as this will give you a little more solitude. This book describes 101 fantastic geological locations in the united states. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Impact origin confirmed article pdf available in geology 363.
This raised bullseye visible from space was the subject of an intense geologic controversy. Drive north on highway 191 to the signed junction on the left for canyonlands national park. Upheaval dome canyonlands national park, utah is an enigmatic structure previously attributed to underlying salt doming, cryptovolcanic explosion, fluid escape, or meteoritic impact. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. The feature continues to puzzle geologists as to how and when it formed. A good appreciation of the nature of reservoir and nonreservoir rocks in the subsurface is of fundamental importance to sound ep decision making. This book provides a twopage summary of 101 fantastic geological locations in the united states. It is visually stunning and worth the uphill hike, which offers some nice scenery along the way. It has been interpreted as a crypto volcanic feature, a salt diapir, a pinchedoff salt diapir, and an eroded impact crater. Fyi fran personally led gene shoemaker and party on their exploration of upheaval dome and roberts rift in their verifying that upheaval dome was indeed an impact crater, not a salt dome as most geologists believed. Site includes detailed trail information on upheaval dome and other great hikes leading to utahs natural arches, indian ruins, redrock canyons, mountain peaks, and more. Geology of the upheaval dome impact structure, southeast.
Site includes detailed trail information on upheaval dome and other great hikes leading to utah s natural arches, indian ruins, redrock canyons, mountain peaks, and more. An illustration of upheaval dome created in 3d with esri arcscene using a 10mresolution dem digital elevation map and 4m. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. The state of utah is unique in having representative strata of every era, so the book from front to back is a more or less seamless journey through time. He suggested that salt flowed into the dome bestructure and evolution of upheaval dome geological society of america bulletin, december 1998 1549 figure 3. No need to take on the hairraising drive yourself when. Media in category upheaval dome the following 33 files are in this category, out of 33 total. Upheaval dome, a possible salt dome in paradox basin, utah subject group. Consequently, if the top of a dome has been eroded flat, the. Upheaval dome moab, utah geographical place, landmark.
However, a transect parallel to earths surface of a dome features concentric rings of strata. Learn about the geology of southern utah with maps, photos and expert descriptions. Once in a while, an extraordinarily superior book appears in the midst of other good books on a subject. United states meteorite impact craters upheaval dome. Upheaval dome via crater view trail closed utah alltrails. No matter what the true answer is, there is no question that this short. Hike to upheaval dome overlook, upheaval dome trailhead. Upheaval dome is a breached domal structure that is surrounded by a welldeveloped rim. Hypotheses for origin of upheaval dome upheaval dome was first described by harrison 1927 as christmas canyon dome. Seismic reflection study of upheaval dome canyonlands national park utah z. Structural observations and stratigraphic variability in. Many geologist now consider the mystery of upheaval domes origin to be solved and its an innie.
The geologic story of canyonlands national park, by s. The authors smooth prose brings the rocks of utah and their long history into sharp and enjoyable focus. Upheaval dome canyonlands national park 2020 all you need. Upheaval dome was first noted during a reconnaissance geologic study by b. Upheaval dome is a breached domal structure that is surrounded by a welldeveloped rim syncline. This 6x9 paperback has 286 pages that are packed with detailed information about southern utah geology. Aerial view of upheaval dome, perhaps the most geologically interesting feature of the canyonlands, 051972 3814168123. A dome is a feature in structural geology consisting of symmetrical anticlines that intersect each other at their respective apices. The upheaval dome overlook trail offers views of a spectacular geological formation a milewide crater of mysterious origins, possibly caused by a meteorite that created a big splash of minerals when it hit or a salt dome that originated from within the earth. Geology of dead horse point state park, grand and san juan counties, utah by hellmut h.
No need to take on the hairraising drive yourself when booking this tour cover more ground in a 4wd vehicle hear live commentary from your guide includes cold. Upheaval dome is a cratershaped topographic feature in canyonlands national park. Pdf new evidence for longterm, saltrelated deformation at. The origin of upheaval dome, in canyonlands national park of southeastern utah, has been a topic of controversy among geologists and. Upheaval dome, a possible salt dome in the paradox basin, utah 1. Structural geology by haakon fossen cambridge core. Without a doubt, this is ht case with this introductory structural geology work by fossen.
The views are impressive, but an even better view can be had by following. It is circular in shape and has at its center an uplift typical of impact structures. Extensive excerpts from the popular hiking book, utahs favorite hiking trails. Some scientists say it is the site of a meteorite impact while others theorize it is nothing more than a naturally occurring salt dome. Because beds of salt are known to underlie the park, some have suggested that the salt may have. Structurally the feature is a deeply eroded dome an area where rock units are uparched a few hundred feet surrounded by rocks that are nearly horizontal and undeformed. Upheaval dome is an impact structure, the deeply eroded bottommost remnants of an impact crater, in canyonlands. Upheaval dome is an impact structure, the deeply eroded bottommost remnants of an impact crater, in canyonlands national park southwest of the city of moab, utah, in the united states. Within canyonlands national park, upheaval dome serves as a protected geologic laboratory where all can learn about, and be inspired by, the mysteries of nature. Most outstanding, the book provides a balance between soft rock and hard rock, discusses the fields relevance to basic and applied applications, and.
Utahs belly button, upheaval dome, san juan county. Utahs upheaval dome has been the subject of theories surrounding its existence for decades. The trailhead is located at the end of the upheaval dome road, in the island in the sky district of canyonlands national park. Geology of antelope island state park, utah by grant c.
Pdf new evidence for longterm, saltrelated deformation. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Strata that range in age from permian to jurassic are exposed in the dome, and all have been deformed by the forces which produced the feature. The rocks along the trail tilt away from the dome as a result of the impact. Strata that range in age from permian to jurassic are exposed in the dome and all have been deformed by the forces which produced the feature.
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