Beyond the Visible Landscape: Aerial Panoramas of Utah's Geology

by W. Kenneth Hamblin

the geology of Utah

300 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent reference. It includes detailed information about the geology of many famous locations in Utah. It also discusses the ancient geological history that caused formation of this land. It is a great book to own and display.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon and look down into a deep abyss a mile deep. Within the canyon, there are more than 17,000 feet of sedimentary rock exposed and below that is a basement of even greater volume of older metamorphic and granitic rock. As you stand on the canyon rim, nothing rises above you and it seems as though nothing ever did. But there is an even higher wall of rock associated with the Grand Canyon up to the High Plateaus of Utah like Bryce Canyon, for example.

Thrilling look at the canyon country landscape from above.

Three things combine to give the plateau country its unique character: the thick layers of colorful rock, the arid climate, which favors the formation of sharp angular landforms free from soil and vegetative cover, and uplift of the whole region which permits the erosion of deep canyons by a major river system (the Colorado River). The Colorado River is the master plan for the origin and evolution of the landscape. Every cliff, slope, or spire originated from erosion by the Colorado River drainage system. The result is a masterpiece of landscape scenery, a symphony of color, shape, and form.

This is the Grand Staircase, a series of giant steps ascending from the rim of the Grand Canyon up to Bryce Canyon. All those layers were removed by the Colorado River, all the hoodoos and arches and Checkerboard mesas of Zion. Imagine the Grand Staircase as the high northern wall of the Grand Canyon. It is 10,000 feet thick, twice the thickness of the Paleozoic layers of the Grand Canyon itself. The current Colorado River technically lies about 27,000 feet from the rim of Bryce Canyon 80 miles to the north. The layers are really a series of ancient landscapes stacked one upon another.

No place on Earth displays such colorful linear cliffs and terraces as found in the Grand Staircase. Each step is made from a distinctive rock layer: Chocolate Cliffs- Moenkopi, Vermilion -Moenave and Kayenta, White- Navajo, Gray- Cretaceous rocks, and Pink-Claron.

So much of this area is created by easily eroded shale layers that are weak and erode back into a gentle slope many miles wide. Each cliff or step is separated by a broad terrace. If there was no shale in the rock sequence of the Grand Staircase, the cliffs would be stacked closely together rising abruptly from the rime of the Grand Canyon and the inner Gorge of the Grand Canyon would be nearly 3 miles deep.

Red Canyon- The Piute Indians call this place “unka-timpe-wa-wince-pok-ich” which means “red rocks standing like men in a bowl-shaped canyon.”

“There is an eloquence to their forms which stirs the imagination with a singular power, and kindles in the mind a glowing response. Clarence Dutton, 1882

The Navajo Sandstone is 2,000 feet thick in Zion National Park, on the western edge of the Plateau but thins eastward to only several hundred feet.

[Monte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!

I saw it mentioned at the Salt Lake City Bureau of Land Management online bookstore. The title and description appealed to me as I love Utah landscapes and have been paying attention to Utah geology over the past many years. I know Utah geology is unique and I want to understand where it comes from.

I have purchased various geology books in the past trying to get a better understanding (e.g. Geology Underfoot in Southern Utah, Roadside Geology of Utah). These seemed interesting but did not draw me in. I have to admit they remain on my to-get-to list and now I am more excited to look at them again.

Beyond the Visible Landscape, on the other hand, immediately drew me into its pages. It is oversized and puts the extra space to excellent use by highlighting a two page picture every time you turn a page. Each picture is accompanied with a written explanation on why the image is interesting (above its visual delight!)

The images are typically taken from the air providing viewpoints not generally seen by those of us at ground level.

I now have several new bucket list destinations to visit all over Utah! These range from the back country in north western Utah (visible ancient Lake Bonneville shoreline) to Vulcan’ Throne and its visible remnant lava flows into the interior Grand Canyon in southern Utah. (Who knew volcanoes and lava flows were in so. Utah?!)

Lots to look forward to!

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book with striking images covering many of the geologic wonders of Utah (and a few surrounding areas). This book reads very easily and is written so that any lay person can easily grasp the concepts taught. An illustrated glossary in the back helps for geologic terms and numerous small block diagrams and cross sections aid in understanding what is being shown in the photographs. I only have two small problems with this book. The first is the conspicuous lack of panoramas from the Uinta Basin. Places like Fantasy Canyon and Devil's Playground would make ideal and eye-catching additions. The second is the prevalence of quite a few typographical errors. One good going through by someone uninvolved with the production of the book would have cleared most of them up.

[Cayenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photos were incredible and the geology discussions were interesting, though a little over my head a lot of the time. I learned a lot. More identified landmarks on the pictures or more detailed maps would have been very helpful.