UTAH G E OLOGICAL & MINERAL SURVEY PAGEl SURVEY N OTES VOLUME 23 NUMBER 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Antelope Island State Park . • . 2 Contributors to Geologic Mapping in Utah ... ..• • ..•.......... 15 FROM THE New Geologic Databases for Utah .•. 18 Wanted - High-Quality Geologic DIRECTOR'S CORNER Mappers • ...•...•.. • ...... • • 22 AAPG Cross Section of Utah ... .. •• 22 Update on Geologic Mapping .. ..... 23 Books & Papers ......•...... .• .. 24 New Publications ... •.•• . ..... 25 UGMS Staff • •.•• ... • .. • ... .. .• 25 Cover photos courtesy of ASCS and the UGMS Mapping Section. Design by Frampton/Associates. Th is issue of Survey Notes highlights proach. UGMS generalized mission is STA TE OF UTAH the work of UGMS Geologic Mapping to make the state richer, safer, and bet­ NORMAN H. BANGERTER, GOVERNOR Program. The feature article cele­ ter understood geologically. Geologic DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES brates the completion of a major map­ mapping is one of the primary ways we DEE C. HANSEN , EXE CUTIVE DIRE CTOR ping project which has resulted in a accomplish these tasks. We intend to SURVEY NOTES STAFF better understanding of Antelope ls­ systematically map all areas of the state EDITOR J. STRINGFELLOW land's geology and recreational poten­ at a suitable scale for multiple users. EDITORIAL STAFF tial. Several publications about the Multipurpose maps are designed for Julia M. McQueen, Patti Frampton island will be available later this year at least three general uses. This first is CARTOGRAPHERS including a geology map and explan­ to help find energy, mineral and Kent D. Brown, James W. Parker, Patricia H. atory brochure, a thick volume contain­ water resources. Energy resources and Speranza ing several technical articles, and a minerals are found in special geologic UGMSSTAFF number of publications especially de­ environments such as in faults and fis­ signed for visitors to the island who ADMINISTRATION sures, or in certain rock formations, or GENEVIEVE ATWOOD, Director want to better understand its geology. associated with certain rock types such DOUG A. SPRINKEL, Deputy Director Other articles in this issue ... des­ as igneous rocks. The second major Werner Haidenthaller, Sandra Eldredge, cribe how to use UGMS geologic map­ purpose of geologic maps is to assist in Roselyn Dechart, Cheryl Crockett ping projects ... report the status of the evaluation of potential geologic SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO DIRECTOR WILLIAM R. LUND / Applied geologic mapping in Utah ... recognize hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic SUPPORT the contributions of an earlier geo­ eruptions, and landslides. Less ob­ INFORMATION MIRIAM BUGDEN logic mapper ... describe UGMS Map­ vious but expensive hazards include Mage Yonetani, Christine Wilkerson ping Program's information bases and expanding, shrinking and collapsible COMPUTER JOHNS. HAND solicit information for our stratigraphic soils, high ground water, sand dunes, APPLIED GEOLOGY GARY CHRISTENSON data bases. debris and mudflows and other types William F. Case, Kimm Harty, Suzanne Hecker, William Mulvey, Susan Olig, Barry The geologic mapping of Antelope of ground failure. The thirdcategoryof Solomon, Bill Black, Janine Jarva, Sharon Island is an excellent example of user is interested in understanding or Wakefield UGMS multipurpose geologic maps. appreciating some aspect of the earth ECONOMIC GEOLOGY ROBERT w. GLOYN Geologists worldwide for over a hun­ such as its history or structure, or Robert Blackett, J. Wallace Gwynn, Alex C. dred years have summarized their find­ simply its scenic beauty. Keith, Ray Kerns, Bea Mayes, Carolyn Olsen, Michael Shubat, Bryce T. Tripp, Charles ings on geologic maps. Most geolo­ Regional maps (1:100,000) are used Bishop, Brigitte Hucka, Steve Sommer, gists map an area for a specific purpose extensively by land planners (such as Marge Porterfield such as to find mineral resources or to for transportation routes) and by re­ GEOLOGIC MAPPING HELLMUT DOELLING understand one particular aspect of source geologists (such as for petro­ Fitzhugh Davis, Lehi F. Hintze, Mark Jen se n, the earth's history. Often a geologist leum exploration orfor examining min­ Michael L. Ross, Grant C. Willis, Vajdieh will map only "interesting" features in eral trends). More detailed maps, 7.5' Marxen, Michael Wright, C.G. Oviatt detail and omit information of less quadrangle maps at a scale of 1 :24,000, importance for his/her project. Thus provide much more specific informa­ SurveyNotesis published quarterl y by Utah Geological and Mineral Survey, 606 Bla ck one quadrangle may be mapped sev­ tion. Geologists use them to avoid H awk Way, Sa lt Lake City, Utah 84108 1801 I eral times for different objectives and small and large landslides or fault 581-6831. The UGMS inventories the geologic resources of the state, identifies its geologic hazards, none of these maps will contain all the zones, scientists use them to under­ dissemi•nates information conce rning Utah's basic geologic information. Con­ stand details of the earth's surface, and geology, and advises policymake r s on versely, some " less interesting" areas hikers and amateur geologists use geologic iss ues. Th e UGMS is a division of the Department of Natural Resources. Single may not be mapped at all. them to enhance their enjoyment of copies of Su rvey Notes are dist ri buted free of Not so with the UGMS program. We their surroundings. UGMS conducts charge to residents within the United States mapping at both these scales. and Ca nada. Reproduction is encouraged take a multipurpose, statewide ap- with recognition of so urce. Continued on page 19. VOLUME 23 N UMBE R 1 SURVEY N OTES PAGE 2 ANTELOPE ISLAND STATE PARK The History, The Geology, and Wise Planning For Future Development by Hellmut Doelling INTRODUCTION Antelope Island, the largest of the Great Salt Lake islands, is which proved to be the key to the success of the project: high 15 miles long, about 5 ½ miles wide, and has an approximate water had destroyed all land access to the island, so it could area of 40 square miles. It is noted for the largest buffalo herd in only be reached by boat or plane. the state. The State of Utah acquired the island in 1981 and The UGMS began field studies in the early part of October made it part of the state parks system, administered by the 1987 and finished most of the work by December. More than 20 Division of Parks and Recreation (UPR). In August, 1987 the UPR scientists participated, including various types of geologists, and the Utah Geological and Mineral Survey (UGMS) Divisions of geophysicists, and geographers. Professionals from the UGMS, the Department of Natural Resources concluded that geolog­ the University of Utah, the U. S. Geological Survey, and even ical input would help in the development of the park master one visiting geologist from the People's Republic of China plan. participated. The UGMS organized a task force of geologists to study the To date, the UGMS has produced a colorful, non-technical island's geology, ground water, geologic hazards, and eco­ brochure describing the geologic story of the island. A nomic geology. Even a radon hazard study was conducted. geologic map at 1 :24,000 scale has been open-filed and is Interesting geologic sites needed to be identified, the local presently being prepared for publication. Additionally, the geologic history needed to be better understood, geologic UGMS will prepare a bulletin containing all available earth­ problems relating to the park's development needed to be science information about the island; several participants are recognized. The UPR agreed to provide logistical support, preparing manuscripts at this time. Figure 1. Numerous geologists participated in the geologic study and mapping ofAntelope Island late in 1987. Although mostly conducted by UCMS geo­ logists, University of Utah and U.S. Geological Survey professionals also participated. PAGE 3 SURVEY NOTES VOLUME 23 NUMBER 1 HISTORY OF THE ISLAND and trappers, or may have attached himself to the Mormon settlers. Some think he was living on the island when the A few non-diagnostic artifacts have been found at four sites Mormons arrived on 24 July 1847. He is known to have helped on the island, providing evidence that American Indians Mormon cattlemen drive the first herd onto the island in the inhabited the island long before the white explorers arrived. It fall of 1848. He disappeared in Cache Valley in 1855 and was is thought that members of the early Fremont culture (8,000 to never heard from again; rumors indicated he may have been 2,000 years ago) either resided there or visited the island. killed by Indians. Jim Bridger "discovered" the Great Salt Lake during the Fielding Garr, a Mormon convert from Virginia, was placed in winter of 1824-1825 (Bancroft, 1889). He floated into the lake charge of the cattle on the island. The ranch house, still stand­ (via the Bear River) near the present location of the Bear River ing on the island today, was built in the fall of 1848 or early in Migratory Bird Refuge, west of Brigham City. He may have 1849 by Garr from adobe bricks made by mason Rodney travelled on and discovered some of the islands, but there is no Badger. Garr lived on the island with his family of seven child­ documentation that he did. He reportedly tasted the salty ren. In 1850 the cattle of the Mormon Perpetual Emigration water and thought he had reached an arm of the Pacific Ocean. Fund Company (PEF) were herded to the island along with The news spread, and William Sublette of the Rocky Moun­ those of the private cattlemen. The cattle and oxen were in tain Fur Company dispatched an expedition of four men high demand during the colonization of the west and brought headed by James Clyman to explore the lake in skin boats needed cash for PEF purposes. Even though the island was set during the summer of 1826.