When major rivers flow through multiple states or countries, and water shortages affect a region, conflicts can develop. The Colorado River supplies essential water to seven US states, plus Mexico. Jordan River water is vital to Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. Disagreements about water allocations and environmental damage in both river basins will eventually require tough decisions and alternative strategies.
Colorful chert, in varieties known as jasper, flint, agate, chalcedony, and others, have always intrigued me. So, when I recently saw a carpet of dark red jasper covering the surface of a river terrace in a remote corner of Utah, I was amazed. I wanted to learn more about how this chert bed formed and about the indigenous people who had left ancient rock art and storage structures nearby – and I found some fascinating information.
When most of us think about the impressive geology of the Grand Canyon, our focus is on the ancient rocks. Within the past 1 million years, however, volcanoes have created striking displays in the canyon. Hot lava often flowed down the Colorado River channel for tens of miles; other times, it dammed the river, impounding water behind dams that eventually breached, sometimes releasing catastrophic floods.
Towering cliffs, plateaus, arches, and narrow canyons are iconic symbols of southern Utah’s Red Rock Country. Another type of landform captured my attention during recent explorations: mile after mile of gently rolling rock-covered terrain, giving the impression of being surrounded by an ocean of sandstone. An arid sand sea of shifting dunes created these rocks many millions of years ago.
