Canyonlands Country: Geology of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks

292 Pages·1993·4.43 MB·English

by  Donald L. Baars

Page i
Canyonlands Country : Geology of
title:
Canyonlands and Arches National Parks
author: Baars, Donald L.
publisher: University of Utah Press
isbn10 | asin: 0874804329
print isbn13: 9780874804324
ebook isbn13: 9780585106649
language: English
Geology--Colorado Plateau Region,
Geology, Stratigraphic--Colorado Plateau
Region, Geology, Stratigraphic--Utah,
subject
Canyonlands National Park (Utah)--
Guidebooks, Arches National Park (Utah)--
Guidebooks.
publication date: 1993
lcc: QE79.5.B27 1993eb
ddc: 557.92/5
Geology--Colorado Plateau Region,
Geology, Stratigraphic--Colorado Plateau
Region, Geology, Stratigraphic--Utah,
subject:
Canyonlands National Park (Utah)--
Guidebooks, Arches National Park (Utah)--
Guidebooks.
Page iii
Canyonlands Country
Geology of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks
Donald L. Baars
University of Utah Press
Salt Lake City, Utah
Page iv
©1993 by Donald L. Baars. All rights reserved. Revised edition.
First edition published 1989 by Cañon Publishers, Ltd., and
Canyonlands Natural History Association.
All illustrations and photographs by Donald L. Baars, unless
otherwise noted.
Printed on acid-free paper.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Baars, Donald L.
Canyonlands country : geology of Canyonlands and Arches
National Parks / Donald L. Baars. Rev. ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-87480-432-9 (acid-free)
1. GeologyColorado Plateau Region. 2. Geology, Stratigraphic
Colorado Plateau Region. 3. Geology, StratigraphicUtah.
4. Canyonlands National Park (Utah)Guidebooks. 5. Arches
National Park (Utah)Guidebooks. I. Title.
QE79.5.B27 1993
557.92'5dc20
93-23140
Page v
CONTENTS
List of Maps vi
Preface vii
Part One: Geologic History 1
1. Canyonlands Country 3
2. The Colorado Plateau Province 8
3. It's About Time 20
4. In the Beginning 24
5. The Early Years 27
6. It Hits the Fan 31
7. Red Beds Inherit the Earth 42
8. Mesozoic Times 54
9. Orogenous Zones 63
10. Canyon Cutting 66
Part Two: Geological Tours 71
11. Arches National Park 75
12. Island in the Sky 83
13. The Needles District 94
14. The Maze and Elaterite Basin 100
15. The Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyon 107
16. Meander Canyon 114
17. Cataract Canyon 119
Suggested Reading 125
Glossary 127
Index 133
Geologic Time Scale Inside Back Cover
Page vi
MAPS
Roads in Canyonlands Country Inside front cover
Arches National Park 77
Canyonlands National Park 84
Page vii
PREFACE
The primary goal of this book is to attempt an explanation in
nontechnical language of the innermost geological secrets of
Canyonlands and Arches national parks in southeastern Utah. Until
publication of the first edition, nothing of the sort was available to the
curious visitor. Changes in international definitions regarding the time
boundary between rocks of Pennsylvanian and Permian ages (upper
Paleozoic), and the ensuing confusion among both professional and
amateur geologists, have prompted the changes presented here. Such
revisions should make this edition as accurate as possible at the time
of this printing.
Geology is a science, of sorts, but in actual practice it is more like a
detective story. Geologists really have few clues to work with, yet
they try to make a reasonably coherent story from the facts available.
Consequently there are sometimes as many interpretations as there are
"detectives" working on the case. Geology is an ever-changing
subject; some changes result from increased understanding through
continuing work while others are largely political. That applies to
Canyonlands country, but this second edition is as factual, correct, and
timely as one opinionated geologist can make it.
For convenience this book is divided into two parts. Part I is a general
discussion of the Colorado Plateau region, an introduction to some of
the applicable principles of geology, and a summary of the geologic
history of Canyonlands country. It is designed to give the interested
reader sufficient geological background to appreciate the
idiosyncracies of this unique landscape. We will first establish the
geographic boundaries of Canyonlands country and the Colorado
Plateau, the physiographic and geologic "province" in which our area
of interest lies. Then we will explore the long and complex saga of the
construction of the rock lattice of Canyonlands country from bottom
to top, from the first events until the latest. Finally we will discover
the tireless processes of erosional sculpting of the landscape, tearing
asunder the
Page viii
rock layers so carefully emplaced. This part is perhaps best read
before visiting the region's parks.
Part II is a geological tour guide that may be used by itself or with the
geological history presented in Part I. Although it is not prerequisite,
the general discussion helps explain the more detailed treatments of
specific landscapes here. This section deals with local features seen at
the surface and does not delve into background material. It is designed
to be used while touring the various districts of the parks and is best
understood after reading Part I.
To fully appreciate the geology of this magnificent region, it is
strongly recommended that the "Geologic Map of Canyonlands
National Park and Vicinity, Utah" and the "Geologic Map of Arches
National Park and Vicinity, Grand County, Utah" be used in
conjunction with this book. The waterproof maps published by Trails
Illustrated are helpful in navigating the back roads and trails of
Canyonlands country, and the waterproof river guide Cataract
Canyon and Approaches, published by Cañon Publishers, Ltd., is
recommended for river runners. For the novice to geology, Scenes of
the Plateaulands, by William Lee Stokes, is highly recommended
reading. These publications are available at the two parks or from
Canyonlands Natural History Association in Moab, Utah.
Many people have aided materially and spiritually in the development
of this book. Canyonlands Natural History Association provided
encouragement and financial support for the first edition. Eleanor
Inskip, former executive director of the association, acted as
intermediary, keeping the project on an even keel; her efforts and
continuing cheerfulness were foremost in bringing this complex effort
to completion. Dave May, Dee Tranter, and Pete Parry, trustees of the
association, provided many suggestions, keeping the contents of the