VIRTUAL GEOLOGIC MAP AND FIELD TRIP OF THE ST. GEORGE 30' X 60' QUADRANGLE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH – PRECURSOR TO THE REAL THING

The Utah Geological Survey recently released a preliminary geologic map of the St. George 30' x 60' quadrangle in southwest Utah. The area is known for its extraordinary geologic diversity, rapidly expanding population in a region with significant geologic hazards, and significant tourist economy based in part on several local, state, and national parks created because of their geological significance. This new geologic map displays the regional geology in unprecedented detail. However, while useful to geologists, such standard geologic maps remain obscure to most of the general population who could benefit from their use and understanding.

To make it easier for nongeologists to visualize the relationship between the geology and modern landforms, we intend to use Google Earth™ to create a virtual geologic map and field trip, in addition to our standard map publication. Our virtual map will use a variety of overlays and placemarks to present geological highlights of the region, and will use 3-D visualization that brings maps to life, thus dramatically showing the relationship between geology and topography. Coupled with placemarks that serve to highlight selected geologic features; point, line, and polygon hotlinks that serve to identify geologic map attributes; and a variety of field trip routes that explain the local geology, we intend that the geologic map will be useful to a much wider audience than normal. The virtual map will also enable people to preview real field trip routes, stimulating interest in actually getting people outdoors to observe and begin to understand the rocks, landforms, geologic resources, and geologic hazards in the region.