RUNNING HEAD: G.K.

Gilbert Park Analysis

Self-Guided Research Paper on G.K. Gilbert Geologic View Park

Blake T. Dailami
Salt Lake Community College

RUNNING HEAD: G.K. Gilbert Park Analysis

The object of this research paper to develop a better understanding for the geological
features that are present at the mouth of the little cottonwood and bells canyon. The geological
features found here will be analyzed and researched based on what they are, how theyre formed,
as well as why they form. The vocabulary we will analyze are found at the site and are directly
related to the G.K Gilbert Geologic View Park. The vocabulary words are as followed: Scarps,
Wasatch fault, Lake Bonneville, quartz schist, gneiss, and shale/slate.
Here is some brief human history that surrounds the little cottonwood canyon. In the days
of settlement by the Mormon Church they used this canyon to mine quartz to build the prominent
Salt lake Temple that took 40 years to build. The stocks were heavily mined but the remnants of
the little cottonwood stock is still present. Now days the mouth of the canyon is filled with
luxurious homes that have been squeezed together not to smart especially because the Wasatch
fault lie just below their feet but we will get to that next. Further up the canyon is home to some
of the best powder in the world. We have long used these canyons as well for recreation and
sport. I keep asking myself
The Wasatch fault that is present in the images below stretches the whole range of the
Wasatch mountains, the fault type is a scarp, what that means is that one side of the fault has
moved vertical in regards to the other side. This is caused by a subsequent rupture from the fault,
when the plates underneath give way and rocks snap they return to their original composition and
shape causing the downward movement or even the upward movement, but when this slip
happens it can cause dramatic change to the landscape. The Wasatch fault is according to the
USGS due for an earthquake in the next 50 years with a 25% chance. (Large earthquakes, 2013)
Both Bell canyon and Little Cottonwood canyon were carved out by massive glaciers that
were around 10,000 to 30,000 years old. The mouth of the canyon on the little cottonwood side

RUNNING HEAD: G.K. Gilbert Park Analysis

had the glacier spill out into the valley, with it being about 450ft deep, while at the top of the
canyon the depth of the glacier was about 850ft. The canyon is U shaped and this is due to the
glacier dramatically moving sediment and breaking it down over the course of many years, better
named scouring. (Eldridge, 2008) A glacier is a buildup of ice, each year the snow collects and
then freezes, where it is cold, is where you will find the larger glaciers like for example in the
Antarctic the glaciers are record 2 miles deep.
This park was very interesting to attend and see for myself. It made me realize that we
have some many geological sites around Utah which makes us very fortunate. The Wasatch
Mountains are home to some of the most beautiful country with spectacular views of the past.

RUNNING HEAD: G.K. Gilbert Park Analysis

References
Large Earthquakes on Wasatch Fault. (2013, January 1). Retrieved from
http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/hazards/eqfault/eqfact.htm
Eldredge, S. (2008, May 2). G.K. Gilbert Geologic View Park, Salt Lake County, Utah.
Retrieved from http://geology.utah.gov/surveynotes/geosights/gilbertpark.htm

RUNNING HEAD: G.K. Gilbert Park Analysis

Entrance to G.K. Gilbert Geological View Park, this rock has been cut out by the quarry in Little
Cottonwood canyon it is made up of granite you can even see the drills that were used to cut the
rock away.

RUNNING HEAD: G.K. Gilbert Park Analysis

This image shows the Scarp fault that is present to the right side of the canyon, it plainly shows
the fault as it winds down from the ridge above.

This image shows the ridge line of the ancient lake Bonneville (red line), it also shows the
ancient glacier stones that were from the Ice age (black line).

RUNNING HEAD: G.K. Gilbert Park Analysis

This image shows the six segments on the Wasatch fault that have had the most activity, the
chart dates clear back to 10,000 years ago.

This image is the depicting the time when two great glaciers covered both little cottonwood and
bells canyon. The ice was an estimated 850ft deep at the tops of the canyons.

Finally this image shows the ancient Lake Bonneville, that covered up to 1/3 of Utah and
surrounding states, they say from the view park you could sale to Idaho, Nevada and past Cedar
City.