August 31, 2009

The Utah Geological Survey’s newest geologic maps could prove useful in efforts to address geologic hazard and resource issues in Utah County. The maps cover parts of central and southern Utah Valley and surrounding areas.

The maps, each of which covers an area of about 55 square miles, include the Goshen Valley North (Map 230), Lincoln Point (Map 232), Provo (Map 233), Soldiers Pass (Map 235), and West Mountain (Map 234) 7.5’ quadrangles. Collectively, the maps include West Mountain, the southern part of the Lake Mountains, and parts of Goshen and Utah Valleys, as well as parts of the communities of Provo, Springville, Spanish Fork, and Payson.

Together with previously released geologic maps of the Utah Valley area, these new maps provide complete detailed geologic map coverage of Utah Valley and the surrounding area.

The maps describe and display the shorelines and deposits of Ice Age Lake Bonneville, river and stream deposits derived from adjacent mountain ranges, and part of the Provo segment of the Wasatch fault zone. Such surficial deposits completely encircle the isolated ranges of West Mountain and the southern part of the Lake Mountains.

These new geologic maps provide geologic data useful to city and county agencies, consulting geologists, and developers to address geologic hazard and resource issues; they will also be of interest to educators and others simply interested in learning about the fascinating geology of this area.

Mapping was jointly funded through cooperative agreements between the Utah Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey under the National Geologic Mapping Act.

Each geologic map, sold separately on CD, is accompanied by two or three additional sheets with cross sections, correlation diagrams, and an explanation of map units and symbols. The maps are available for $11.95 to $15.95 each at the Natural Resources Map & Bookstore, located at 1594 West North Temple, Salt Lake City, (801) 537-3320 or 1-888-UTAHMAP, geostore@utah.gov.