Arches National Park Geologic Resource Evaluation Report
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Program Center Arches National Park Geologic Resource Evaluation Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2004/005 THIS PAGE: Canyon, Arches NP. ON THE COVER: Delicate Arch, Arches NP NPS Photo’s Arches National Park Geologic Resource Evaluation Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2004/005 Geologic Resources Division Natural Resource Program Center P.O. Box 25287 Denver, Colorado 80225 November 2004 U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. The Natural Resource Publication series addresses natural resource topics that are of interest and applicability to a broad readership in the National Park Service and to others in the management of natural resources, including the scientific community, the public, and the NPS conservation and environmental constituencies. Manuscripts are peer-reviewed to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and is designed and published in a professional manner. Natural Resource Reports are the designated medium for disseminating high priority, current natural resource management information with managerial application. The series targets a general, diverse audience, and may contain NPS policy considerations or address sensitive issues of management applicability. Examples of the diverse array of reports published in this series include vital signs monitoring plans; "how to" resource management papers; proceedings of resource management workshops or conferences; annual reports of resource programs or divisions of the Natural Resource Program Center; resource action plans; fact sheets; and regularly-published newsletters. Views and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect policies of the National Park Service. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the National Park Service. Printed copies of reports in these series may be produced in a limited quantity and they are only available as long as the supply lasts. This report is also available from the Geologic Resource Evaluation Program website (http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/inventory/ gre_publications) on the internet, or by sending a request to the address on the back cover. Please cite this publication as: Graham, J. 2004. Arches National Park Geologic Resource Evaluation Report. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2004/005. National Park Service, Denver, Colorado. NPS D-197, November 2004 Table of Contents List of Figures .............................................................................................................. iv Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose of the Geologic Resource Evaluation Program ............................................................................................2 Regional Information ..................................................................................................................................................2 Park History................................................................................................................................................................2 Geologic Setting .........................................................................................................................................................3 Geologic Issues............................................................................................................. 5 Hydrocarbon Development.........................................................................................................................................5 Uranium Mining ..........................................................................................................................................................5 Water Quality and Flash Flooding ..............................................................................................................................6 Preservation of Fossils ...............................................................................................................................................6 Other Geological Issues .............................................................................................................................................6 Research Projects ......................................................................................................................................................7 Interpretive Needs ......................................................................................................................................................7 Geologic Features and Processes............................................................................... 8 Formation Properties.................................................................................................. 16 Geologic History.......................................................................................................... 28 Depositional and Tectonic History ............................................................................................................................28 References Cited......................................................................................................... 41 Appendix A: Geologic Map and Cross Section ........................................................ 45 Appendix B: Scoping Summary................................................................................. 47 Attachment 1: Digital Geologic Map CD ARCH Geologic Resource Evaluation Report iii List of Figures Figure 1: Location Map for Arches NP ...........................................................................................................................4 Figure 2: Entrada Sandstone Fins................................................................................................................................11 Figure 3: Schematic Diagram of Arch Formation. ........................................................................................................11 Figure 4: Schematic Diagram of Salt Anticline and Dissolution Structures ..................................................................12 Figure 5: Landscape Arch. ...........................................................................................................................................13 Figure 6: Balanced Rock..............................................................................................................................................13 Figure 7: Skyline Arch. .................................................................................................................................................14 Figure 8: Fiery Furnace................................................................................................................................................15 Figure 9: Stratigraphic Column.....................................................................................................................................25 Figure 10: Correlation Chart of Jurassic Period ...........................................................................................................27 Figure 11: Pangaea......................................................................................................................................................34 Figure 12: Lower Triassic Paleogeographic Map .........................................................................................................35 Figure 13: Upper Triassic.Paleogeographic Map .........................................................................................................36 Figure 14: Middle Jurassic Paleogeographic Map........................................................................................................37 Figure 15: Map of the Cretaceous Seaway. .................................................................................................................38 Figure 16: Upper Cretaceous Paleogeographic Map ...................................................................................................39 Figure 17: Geologic Time Scale...................................................................................................................................40 iv NPS Geologic Resources Division Executive Summary This report has been developed to accompany the digital geologic map produced by Geologic Resource Evaluation staff for Arches National Park in Utah. It contains information relevant to resource management and scientific research. The 76,359 acres of Arches National Park (ARCH) in • Livestock grazing effects on soils east- central Utah preserves the greatest concentration of • Proposed toxic waste incinerator impact on geologic rock arches in the world. In addition to the arches, features Arches National Park is home to an extraordinary • Viewshed issues (dust, oil/gas development) collection of balanced rocks, salt dissolution structures, • Acid rain impacts folds resulting from salt tectonics, petrified dune fields, • Preservation of Cryptobiotic soils and a maze of deep narrow canyons. Mesozoic sedimentary rocks are the primary strata Scientific research projects suggested for