UTAH'S ANCIENT LANDSCAPES: A VIEW FROM ABOVE – PENNSYLVANIAN TO PLEISTOCENE

Scholarly publications on the paleoclimate of Utah, although scientifically valuable, provide information beyond the knowledge and interest of the general public. In order to present these findings in a way that non-geologists will find engaging, our research focused on compiling a myriad of geologic research into a comprehensive, easily understood format. Geologic paleogeography drawn from the scientific community’s prior research was utilized to create nine photorealistic maps of the state of Utah.

Scholarly articles allowed us to determine the location of key geographic features and climatic conditions present from the Pennsylvanian to the Pleistocene. Modern-day analogs were then identified and studied in order to produce a product similar to that taken by satellite imagery. With both written and visual references in place, a height map was hand drawn and then rendered in Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop was additionally used to apply color, texture, and detailed features to each map. The end result is nine maps representing the paleogeography and paleoclimate of Utah from approximately 323 Ma to the present. These maps are the centerpiece of an educational publication which affords both scientist and non-scientist the opportunity to understand and appreciate the geologic history of Utah.