The Utah Geological Survey has recently released the 11th edition of its popular Calendar of Utah Geology.
“We published the first calendar in 2007 as a fun way to showcase cool photos taken by our geologists when working in the field,” said Vicky Clarke, UGS Publications Manager. The 2017 calendar features numerous geological wonders in Utah, including some otherworldly landscapes, with a brief explanation of how and when they formed.
Competition has grown among the staff (and not just the geologists) to get pictures in the calendar. This year, UGS staff submitted 232 photos for consideration, including some first-time submissions from UGS staff in the Natural Resources Map and Bookstore, who share with the geologists a love of the outdoors and curiosity about Utah’s landscapes. The cover photo of Great Salt Lake mudflats was taken by bookstore clerk Andy Cvar, who noted that “near-record low water levels reveal a landscape that feels like another planet.”
The calendar contains many other photos that can be described as otherworldly. For example, January presents a photo of a surrealistic rock face mottled with a vibrant purple mineral called fluorite. “I see a lot of rock, a lot of scenery and so tend to be drawn to anything I find unusual. Utah is world famous for its red rock, but electric purple? That catches my eye,” said geologist Mark Milligan, who took the photo. Other photos include a boulder on the San Rafael Swell covered with 150 million year old clam fossils, a scene of salt-encrusted mounds in Great Salt Lake, convolute patterns eroded into the blue-gray badlands of North Caineville Mesa, and the multi-hued Gingham Skirts Butte in Kane County.
The 2017 Calendar of Utah Geology is the same price as last year, $4.95 each or $4.25 for orders of 10 or more, and is available at the Natural Resources Map & Bookstore, 1594 West North Temple, Salt Lake City,(801) 537-3320 or 1-888-UTAHMAP. They may also be purchased online at http://www.mapstore.utah.gov. Bookstore manager Brian Butler suggests to “shop early, as these calendars have sold out in previous years.”
