Geological Regions Road Trip

We are starting our road trip in the Basin and Range area of Utah. The mountains on this side of Utah are part of a desert landscape. Dust storms are prevalent, and when rain comes, it will flood everything and then carry rocks as debris with it downstream. The water will then evaporate or drain into the gravel and sand ground. Water covered most of it for a long time, and so fossils are found in abundance in the area. Magma rose through the rocks at one time, encasing many rocks. The area started to stretch, creating more basins and flat areas. Rock and sand eroded from the mountains and filled the basins below. Many of the mountain ranges contain minerals and ores that are mined.

Our first stop is the Kennecott Copper Mines. Copper was found in the Bingham Canyon in 1887, and so the mining began. To date, it is the largest artificially made excavation site in the world. Copper is created by volcanic activity. The mountain ranges in Utah were formed because of volcanic activity pushing up and creating all sorts of minerals in the mountain ranges.

Our second stop is at Little Sahara. Much of the sand is left by the Sevier River, which once flowed into Lake Bonneville about 15,000 years ago. Winds have picked up the sand and spread it around, creating large sand mountains. Many people consider all the sand to be a nuisance as it would cover the roads and fly around everywhere. A state park was created where the majority of the dunes are, and people often go there to ride their 4-wheelers and other motorized toys. The area is roughly 60,000 acres of sand.



We continue our road trip and head towards the Basin and Range Colorado Plateau Transition. This area has a little of the basin and range that is to the North of it, but it is also starting to look more like the Colorado Plateau that is to the East of it. You have enormous cliffs on one side and flat land on the other; the transition area is spectacular to see and explore.

Our third stop is in Frisco. This used to be an active mining community from 1879 to 1929. Silver was found, and a mine was created that would yield about $50 million in silver. At one point, it was the richest silver mine in the world. Volcanoes underground bring ore up towards the surface, which can then be mined. You would need to go into the ground to find the ore and bring it up, and then smelt it to create silver. Ore can also be found where a lot of seawater circulates. Cracks in the Earth’s crust can move the oar around as well. Since most of Utah was underwater for a long time, the ore could have made its way towards Frisco by way of water as well. Frisco is now just an awesome ghost town with abandoned homes and the mine.

Our fourth stop is at the Grand Wash in Capitol Reef National Park. Large cliffs extend above you as you hike down the wash. It is usually dry and accessible by car, but on some occasions it can be rained out quickly and sweep everything with it as water barrels down it. The walls of the wash are super flat and have been carved by the water that once occupied the entire area. Wind still whips through it and continues to flatten and smooth the rock. The large walls are created out of sandstone and show the different lines as they moved and shaped themselves over millions of years.



We next head more East towards the Colorado plateau, which is named for the river that runs through it. The entire area is full of Shale, siltstone, and sandstone layers with beautiful colors. These are younger rocks from the Pennsylvanian age and make up the most colorful part of Utah. The soil is very thin in this area, and there is sparse vegetation. Wind erodes the rocks, which allows water to seep in. The rocks are very porous and can be shaped easily. Most of what you see down there is from the last 6 million years.

Our fifth stop is Dead Horse Point. A small state park located on the edge of the plateau. Layers of sediment and dust blown by wind created layer upon layer of the mountains. Layers of mudstone, shale, and sandstone, together with petrified wood, volcanic ash, and uranium, make up the layers. The Colorado River runs right through it and has carved the path it takes now. The views are breathtaking as you can see for miles and enjoy all the wonderful colors.



Our sixth stop is Goblin Valley. Another small state park, but very cool. The goblins were formed through spheroidal weathering over millions of years. 170 million years ago, Goblin Valley was just a muddy tidal flat for an enormous sea. The waves and wind caused the creation of the hoodoos over time. You can climb on top of the structures and explore the many different shapes. It is a playground for kids and adults alike.



We are finally making our way back up and are now headed to the Middle Rocky Mountains. The mountain ranges were created after the Precambrian time, which included being folded and pushed up until we see what we have today. There is a lot of overlapping with 2 faults running along it all as well. There is a lot of volcanic material present in the mountain ranges. The rocks are erosion-resistant, and that is why the mountains have not changed much since and why they have remained so tall. Around 770 million years ago, the large continent of Rhodesia started to split right where the mountains are today. A lot of the ocean filled Utah, and the pressure of the plates caused the basin to sink and the mountains to rise. The Wasatch mountain range was forced up because of tectonic compression around 100 million years ago. Erosion over time created the gorges in the mountains where rivers could run freely and shape the mountains as they are today.

Our seventh stop on our trip takes us to the top of Mount Timpanogos. There are four different ways to get to the top of Mount Timpanogos, and all of them require you to be somewhat fit and be able to hike for a long time. It is the 2nd-highest mountain in the Wasatch Mountains. It is made of limestone and dolomite from the Pennsylvanian era. Many make it a bucket list item to hike to the top of Timp and look over both sides. The views are breathtaking.



And finally, our last and eighth stop is at Silver Lake Flats. This is actually a man-made lake in the middle of the mountain range. It is used for fishing and boating, and is a small paradise hidden away. It was built in 1971, and a dam was built to keep some of the water from running out of the canyon and flooding the Highland/Alpine area where people live. There are many natural springs in the mountains that need to be contained and redirected somewhat so that people can live in the valley area. The water helps the wildlife that live in the area. Utah has about 45 of those dams around the state to keep water in the mountains and away from the population below it. The lake holds fresh water and is a nice place to cool down when it gets hot in the summer.



I have been to every one of these locations except Frisco, but that one is still on my list of places to visit. The pictures in this essay are all from my adventures. After learning more about how Utah is divided into four distinct areas in the last two modules, I can see that this is reflected in all the places I have visited. This was a very fun and informative project that I enjoyed creating, as I looked back on places I had visited recently and long ago.

[Written for GEOG 3200 class UVU Summer 2023]
aB . 2025 . All Right Reserved

Globalization Photo Essay

Africa South Of The Sahara

Ecotourism (nature-based tourism industry) is very large in Africa because of all the wildlife parks that are available there. Here in Utah, we also have ecotourism with all of the beautiful outdoor parks you can visit. Utah is home to 5 National Parks as well as many State Parks. I am an avid hiker and have visited all 5 of Utah’s National Parks and many of the State Parks.

Cassidy Arch is located in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Insolation is exposure to the sun’s rays. The part of Africa closest to the equator gets the most insolation. Southern Utah is very dry and hot, especially during the summer. The insolation is very high there at that time as well, making it feel like you could be in the African desert, the Sahara.

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Southwest Asia + North Africa

We are told about the origins of urban living in this chapter and the development of cities. The first cities are believed to have been found in Mesopotamia after the first agricultural revolution.

Purchase my first home

Nonrenewable resources like oil were discovered in this area in 1938, and many wars have been fought to have the power over these resources. OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) was established in 1965 to help regulate it all. 50% of the world’s crude oil comes from this region, with Saudi Arabia being the lead exporter.

My new car (which needs oil)

South Asia

Outsourcing began to grow in the 1990s when big companies outsourced labor to this region, where workers would do the same thing for a cheaper wage. The job I held as a graphic designer was outsourced to India, and I lost my job here in the United States because of this. 

I had just had surgery on my foot and was at home when this happened.

The Provo River starts up high in the mountains and runs all the way down to Utah Lake. The river is fast in certain parts and slows in others. Over time, the river has eaten away the soil in some parts and has even had roads collapse and fall into the river. When the speed of the river increases, it erodes the landscape around it.

Kayaking on Utah Lake

Southeast Asia

The first world religions that spread in Southeast Asia are Hinduism and Buddhism. Many sacred temples and sites are found all over this region.

Ice bath after meditation and breathwork

Tourism is short-term travel away from home with the intent to relax. Southeast Asia is home to some of the best tourist destinations, with its beautiful island destinations. Over 65 million international visitors travel to Southeast Asia each year.

Cruise in 2020 (right before COVID)

East Asia

Migration in East Asia is a very interesting topic to study. China has a system called the Hokou system that tracks where every citizen lives. The government keeps track of everyone with this system and knows if they are in an urban area or an agricultural area. If you live in your Hokou, you get government support; if you move away from the assigned area, you are on your own.

Becoming an American Citizen (2018)

More than half the world lives in Asia. Because of this, East Asia had a one-child policy for a long time. This created a massive gender imbalance as boys were preferred over girls, as they could work and take care of their parents as they aged. Because of the policy in 1979, 400 million fewer children were born while this policy was in place.

I have 2 kids (both girls)

Europe

Born and raised in the Netherlands, I saw the polders described in the book firsthand. Many windmills dotted the landscape that I saw daily as I rode my bike to school and back. Some of the windmills help pump the water that would otherwise overtake the country, as it is under sea level.

Me in big clogs when I was little, playing tourist.

Growing up in Europe, we traveled to a different country each summer for a few months' vacation. My favorite was Italy, and I was able to visit Venice. The book talks about Venice and how it is slowly sinking. The tides bring in high water, which they call acqua alta. The entire city is built on water, and you can make your way around the city by either walking or taking a boat.

Feeding the pigeons in Saint Mark's Square

South America, Mesoamerica, and the Caribbean

I went on a cruise and was able to visit some ruins left behind by civilizations in Mesoamerica. These particular ruins were what was left from villages that had been created by the Mayan people who inhabited this region long ago.

Tulum, Mexico

The ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) brings lots of rain to the Amazon, which is in this region. The Amazon gets year-round rainfall, which creates this tropical rainforest. The rainfall creates lots of beautiful vegetation that supplies many things we all use around the world.

Cave tubbing + floating down the river in Belize

[Written for GEOG 130G class UVU Spring 2022]
aB . All Right Reserved . 2025

Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse in Utah

    It is kind of weird but I have actually thought about this question before. Where would I live after the zombie apocalypse happened here in Utah? My question has always been a bit broader as I have also contemplated where I would live if a natural disaster would strike, a war would start, or anything else would happen that would make it that I would no longer be able to stay in my home here in Provo. I live right next to the mountains and they have always been a source of refuge for me. I am an avid hiker and enjoy camping and such to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. I consider myself to be a very prepared person and have everything in my home I would need in case of an emergency. I have tents, camping gear, first aid kits, bug-out backpacks, and all sorts of things ready if I needed to load it all into my car to escape to the mountains. The only thing I still lack is a small trailer, but I am in the process of making myself one. I know I would not be the only one to head to the mountains and so the more prepared I am, the better.

    I know the atmosphere in the mountains would be more pleasant. When I go hiking, the higher I go, I always feel like I can climb up out of the inversion that is in the valley to breathe the wonderfully clean air. Going up into the mountains I will be away from the inversion and thus will be able to breathe better. I know if I go further back into the mountains as well, there will be beautiful valleys that will not have the nasty inversion that hangs over Utah Valley.

    The temperatures in the mountains should not be too bad either. Come summertime the higher up I will be, the cooler it will be. I can harness the energy of the sun by collecting it with a solar panel that I have and can have the energy to run electronics if needed, or power cooking appliances. Come winter I could create a shelter with the massive amount of trees found up there and use the sun’s energy that gets reflected on the large amounts of snow we get up higher too. A dark tarp could soak up the warmth of the sun in the wintertime to heat my shelter as well.

    The wind should not be too bad as I will have a lot of trees around me that I could chop down to create my shelter and walls to keep the wind from blowing too much. I am sure there are many caves up in the mountains as well that I could explore when the weather would get worse.

    I am not too worried about water either as a lot of the snow melts and runs down the mountain all over the place. There are lots of small creeks and streams that run down the mountain and find their way to the rivers that lead to the lakes. Water filtration systems will help me to filter the water so that I could use it for drinking and cooking. Our mountains also have a lot of beautiful natural streams that are super clean and can provide me with lots of drinking water when I need it. I can also set up rain barrels to catch water when it does rain or snow and set up tarps to catch condensation.

    In Utah, we don’t have any major atmospheric disturbances like tornados, typhoons, or hurricanes and so I don’t need to worry about those. We do have a monsoon season with plenty of rain combined with wind, hail, thunder, and lightning at times. I will need to make sure my shelter will keep me dry and that I have plenty of dry firewood to keep me warm.

    The climate in the mountains can vary and especially with climate change happening in our world. The summers are hotter and drier and the winters are milder with not as much snow. I will need to be prepared for more extremes as the climate changes each year. There may be less water available than I may realize if the winter before has been milder and it may be significantly hotter in the summer than I will be used to.

    When it comes to the Hydrosphere I will be sitting pretty good I think. I will not have a lake or ocean nearby, but lots of small streams and rivers that flow all over the mountains. There are even some smaller lakes up higher that can provide me with fish. There will be lots of underground water that will be available to me.

    I will be surrounded by green trees and oxygen will be aplenty. The biosphere in the mountains will be able to sustain me when it comes to food as well. I will need to make sure to learn how to set snares to trap small game and be careful to maybe not run into the large game when I am not ready. Utah has some amazingly large predators roaming the mountains. Fishing would be a primary source of food as well as there are plenty of rivers and small lakes full of fish.

    I will need to make sure to study up on plants that are edible so that I can add that to my diet as well. I can dig for roots and eat a lot of plants out in the mountains for sustenance. I could catch deer, rabbits, chipmunks, snakes, and other animals for food as well.

    If I am smart I would take seeds of sorts with me too and I could plant crops for myself. I will have full sun, water, and oxygen to grow plants that could sustain me as well. I could also use the mud and clay found in the rivers to reinforce my shelter and make it wind and waterproof. Growing grasses on the roof of my shelter could also cool down my shelter in the summertime.

    A lot of rocks and debris usually get swept downstream in rivers and I could collect those to fortify my shelter as well. The mountains here in Utah are full of rocks that could be used to build a wall around my perimeter to keep anyone out that would not belong there.

    I know I would be moving to the mountains where a fault line runs and that would be the only major downfall of my location. We sit right on top of the North American plate. If an earthquake were to happen while I was in the mountains it would probably not end well for me, but then again it wouldn’t end well for me either if I stayed with the zombies down below. Luckily we do not have any active or non-active volcanoes underneath us, so we have that going for us.

    Being in the mountains I will need to make sure to watch where I do place my permanent shelter. I need to make sure it is not too close to a stream or river so it can’t fall into the water because of erosion and weakening. I will need to watch the rocks around me closely as well and make sure that they are solid and will stay in place. I will need to stay out of the path of rockfalls and make sure my shelter cannot be damaged by water, mud, or rocks sliding from the mountain.

    There are a lot of streams and small rivers all over the mountains that I need to make sure to watch the fluvial process to make sure that my shelter will remain unaffected by it. I can possibly create barriers or dams on the small streams by my shelter to divert some of the water closer to my camp for cooking or bathing purposes. I know there are a lot of smaller waterfalls as well in the mountains and maybe I can harness some of that awesome energy that it creates from the falling water as well.

    I know a zombie apocalypse would never happen, but it was kind of cool to see what I would need in order to survive a disaster of sorts. I know that there is still a lot I would need to learn or gather before I could head up into the mountains permanently, but here in Utah, the odds of my survival would not be too bad.

[Written for GEOG 1000 class UVU Summer 2021]

aB . All Right Reserved . 2023