It's the Final Countdown!

Part One: What Makes Northern Utah Unique? 

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...  

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... 

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... 

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