Part One: What Makes Northern Utah Unique?
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| The Logan River cascades through Logan Canyon. Northern Utah's unique and stunning geography speaks for itself. |
There are so many things that make Northern Utah’s geography
unique and beautiful. The land is full of mountains, triangular facets, caves,
lakes, and rivers. Many of these things are formed because of the very large
fault line that runs through the middle of Utah, most commonly known as the
Wasatch Fault Line. Fault lines move about 2.54 centimeters per year (that’s only
0.082 feet!), so many of the beautiful features found throughout the northern
Utah area are due to this wonderfully large fault line. If we take a look back
at the things we have learned thus far about the geography of Northern Utah, we
find that not only does this fault leave us with stunning triangular facets,
but also many scarps and grabens along the base of the mountain range. The scary thing about this fault line is that
80% of the population lives right alongside it, let’s take a journey into the
future and see what is in store for Northern Utah and its inhabitants in a few
years!
Part Two: 10,000 Years Into the Future...
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| The Wasatch Fault line runs down the center of Northern Utah, and is also the location of 80% of the population in this area. |
In 10,000 years the fault line will have moved approximately
820 feet. This movement may cause so many changes in the geography of Northern
Utah. The movement will pull the land from the base of the mountains, and if
this does not start destroying the many houses built here the earth quakes that
come with this movement will. If there is any water under the ground or in the
surrounding areas a river may start forming at the base of the mountains,
possibly flooding the houses nearest to it.
Part Three: 1,000,000 Years in The Future...
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| This diagram perfectly explains the result of faulting, and while we look at the geography of Northern Utah years into the future it will come in handy. |
In 1,000,000 years the Wasatch fault will have moved about
82,021 feet. This is going to make a great difference on the land surrounding
it. The area already shows a great number of triangular facets but by this time
there will be so many more. There may also be a great valley at the base of the
mountains that may fill in with new composite, or it may fill in with water, or
it may not fill in at all. The houses surrounding this area will be completely destroyed,
and if they are smart they will find a better location to build houses in the
future.
Part Four: 100,000,000 Years Into The Future...
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| This map shows the earthquakes in Utah in 1992. Imagine what the earthquakes will be like in the future as the fault line continues moving! |
In 100,000,000 years the fault line will have moved approximately
8,202,010 feet. The geography will change greatly. There will be a lot of
valleys, rivers, facets, and so many other signs of faulting littering the
area. There will be no sign that houses ever existed in this area. The
earthquake map of this area over the past years will be through the roof, and
the land will be completely unrecognizable.
Part Five: That's a Wrap!
The geography of Northern Utah is both unique and beautiful.
Due to the large fault line that runs through the middle/top of Utah, the
geography will be constantly changing. While we can never really be 100%
certain of the future, it is easy for us to predict that this part of Utah has
many changes coming its way in the future.
SOURCES:
ksl.com
http://www.utah-travel-secrets.com/images/LoanRiverinAutumn.jpg
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elateafrica.org%2Felate%2Fgeography%2Fearthmovements%2Ffaultiing.html&ei=wGSGVIayLMyyogTGiYHYAQ&bvm=bv.81449611,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNEYmi2aCleIG6z95eAF1h3X_FZeTA&ust=1418180156892397
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seis.utah.edu%2Fedservices%2FEES%2FWasatchFaultClock.shtml&ei=c2aGVLfmK4ayoQS07oHgAg&bvm=bv.81449611,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNGN53h7GXS_zwZwTc5jJehhryzHjw&ust=1418180568778042
