Natural Bridges National Monument Geologic Resources Evaluation
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Program Center Natural Bridges National Monument Geologic Resource Evaluation Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2004/003 Natural Bridges National Monument Geologic Resource Evaluation Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2004/003 Geologic Resources Division Natural Resource Program Center P.O. Box 25287 Denver, Colorado 80225 September 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: Thornberry-Ehrlich, T. 2004. Natural Bridges National Monument Geologic Resource Evaluation Report. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2004/003. National Park Service, Denver, Colorado. NPS D-47, September 2004 Table of Contents List of Figures .............................................................................................................. iv Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3 Purpose of the Geologic Resources Evaluation Program...........................................................................................3 Geologic Setting .........................................................................................................................................................3 Geologic Issues............................................................................................................. 6 Uranium and Mining Issues ........................................................................................................................................6 Slope Failures.............................................................................................................................................................7 Bridge Collapse ..........................................................................................................................................................7 Swelling Clays ............................................................................................................................................................7 Noise Pollution............................................................................................................................................................7 Water Issues...............................................................................................................................................................7 Streamflow, Channel Morphology and Sediment Load...............................................................................................8 Desert Surface Crusts (biological and physiochemical) and Desert Pavements ........................................................9 Wind Erosion and Deposition .....................................................................................................................................9 General Geology ........................................................................................................................................................9 Oil & Gas Issues.........................................................................................................................................................9 Air Issues..................................................................................................................................................................10 Geologic Features and Processes............................................................................. 11 Natural Bridge Formation .........................................................................................................................................11 Formation Properties.................................................................................................. 15 Formation Properties Table ......................................................................................................................................16 Geologic History.......................................................................................................... 17 References................................................................................................................... 23 Appendix A: Geologic Map and Cross Section Graphics........................................ 29 Appendix B: Scoping Summary................................................................................. 31 Appendix C: Geoindicators Report............................................................................ 38 Attachment 1: Digital Geologic Map (CD) NABR Geologic Resource Evaluation Report iii List of Figures Figure 1: Location of Natural Bridges NM relative to Colorado Plateau physiographic features ...................................5 Figure 2: Interpreted evolution of Sipapu Bridge.........................................................................................................13 Figure 3: Interpreted evolution of Kachina Bridge .......................................................................................................13 Figure 4: Interpreted evolution of Owachomo Bridge..................................................................................................14 Figure 5: Major uplifts and basins of the Pennsylvanian age ......................................................................................20 Figure 6: Map showing geographic features in the Four-Corners region ....................................................................21 Figure 7: Geologic Time Scale.....................................................................................................................................22 Figure B.1: Geologic map coverage, 1:48,000 scale and larger ..................................................................................37 iv NPS Geologic Resources Division Executive Summary This report has been developed to accompany the digital geologic map derived from numerous published and unpublished geologic maps of the area covering Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah. It contains information directed towards resource management and scientific research. National Park Service Geologic Resources Evaluation staff have assembled the digital geologic map that accompanies this report. Geology provides the foundation of the entire • Bridge collapse. The monument was created to ecosystem. One stratigraphic unit of rock dominates the preserve and protect some of the largest natural geology of Natural Bridges, the sandstone of the Permian bridges in the world. In the dynamic desert system, age Cedar Mesa Formation. Meandering streams have these features are at risk. Owachomo Bridge in the cut down through the Cedar Mesa Sandstone since the monument is only 3 m (9 ft) thick at the crest of its long regional uplift of the Colorado Plateau, a geologic span. province of high plateaus and broad, rounded uplands separated by vast rangelands encompassing most of • The region around Natural Bridges National southern Utah and northern Arizona, northwest New Monument is still seismically active making partial or Mexico, and western Colorado. In places these streams total collapse a potential hazard. have cut through canyon walls at a sharp meander bend, forming the three natural bridges for which the park was • Slope failures and surficial processes. Desert designated. As the name suggests, Natural Bridges environments are especially susceptible to slumping National Monument hosts some of the largest natural and landslides due to the lack of stabilizing plant bridge geologic