Geologist Kirt Kempter leads his final series into the geology of Western National Parks for 2023, with an in-depth look at one or more locations every month. Each program’s content is enhanced by geologic maps, photos, and Google Earth flyovers to reinforce geologic concepts and interpretations.
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Arches and Canyonlands, Utah
Arches and Canyonlands, two National Park neighbors in southeastern Utah, share a deep geologic connection along with their stunning desert landscape scenery. The star geologic formation at Arches is the Entrada sandstone, deposited by vast sand dunes during the Jurassic period. More than 2000 arches are found in within the park today, along with sandstone fins, balanced rocks, and pinnacles. The Colorado River, which flows along the southeastern boundary of Arches, then crosses into Canyonlands, where it makes a dramatic confluence with the Green River flowing south from Wyoming. Older rock strata from the Paleozoic Era are exposed in Canyonlands, forming dramatic canyons, cliffs, pinnacles, and bizarre formations.
Additional Geology of Western National Parks Programs
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