Goosenecks of the San Juan River

This is the classic locality to demonstrate the process of incised meanders. The ancestral San Juan River meandered its way across the flat plain seen now at the horizon. This meandering pattern is indicative of a very flat river gradient. The San Juan River began carving into the Pennsylvanian-age Hermosa Formation about 8 to 10 million years ago. The original meandering pattern of the river was preserved in this area as it carved deeper without breaching the sides of its banks. The river valley is now over 1,000 feet (300 meters) deep.

Print No. A97SW-29-10

Image of sun rays over the Goosenecks

Sheep Creek Geological Area

Named after the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep that inhabit the area, this site is dominated by the Uinta Crest Fault, a section of folded and twisted rock that reveals millions of years of geological history. Along Highway 44, signposts explain the formations and geologic ages as you pass through them.

Print No. B96-2

Devil's Kitchen Geologic Interest Area

Along the Nebo Scenic Loop Highway in the Wasatch Mountains, these eroded sandstone formations are reminiscent of a miniature Bryce Canyon.

Print No. A99-40-7

Mexican Hat Rock

Located in the southeast corner of Utah, this Permian-age sandstone formation is the reason the adjacent town of Mexican Hat got its name. The balanced rock is about 60 feet (18 meters) in diameter. Behind it is the southern end of Comb Ridge, which includes a Pennsylvanian-age shale unit that was exploited for oil production.

Print No. A03-9-10

Little Sahara Dunes

Little Sahara Recreation Area lies along the southeastern edge of the Sevier Desert. The sand dunes here originated from deposits of the Sevier River which flowed into the Pleistocene-age Lake Bonneville 15,000 years ago. As the climate changed, the lake receded to become the Great Salt Lake. Prevailing winds from the southwest carried the sand from the now dry plains to the eastern edges of the desert where it piled up. This view is looking south, toward Sand Mountain.

Print No. A99-41-2

Devil's Slide

Located in Weber Canyon, 8 miles east of Morgan, Utah, the Devil's Slide is a pair of limestone beds from a 170 million year old shallow sea. The limestone was turned on end during the uplifting of the Sevier Mountain Belt, beginning about 100 million years ago. Periods of uplift and erosion eventually resulted in the present Wasatch Mountains and the exposure of these beds.

Print No. A99-42-1

Dinosaur Footprints

This tilted slab lies along the Colorado River near Moab, Utah. The 3-toed footprints are roughly the size of an adult hand and the stride between footprints is about 5 feet (1.5 meters). Recently, and perhaps unfortunately, a parking area for off-road enthusiasts was constructed adjacent to this site, providing very easy access to this unique exposure.

Print No. A97SW-26-2