
It has been one year since Utah’s most spectacular dinosaur fossil block, the 18,000-pound Utahraptor megablock, moved from Thanksgiving Point to a new dedicated fossil preparation lab at the Utah Geological Survey (UGS). In that year new unanticipated discoveries hidden within the block have been found.

With the pending retirement of Mike Fowlks, director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Executive Director Brian Steed has named Rory Reynolds, current DNR deputy director, to serve as DWR interim director.

The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) recently released the 15th edition of its popular Calendar of Utah Geology. The photographs often focus on remote locations found by UGS scientists working in the field, and this year’s calendar has plenty of remote and isolated scenery.

The recently released Utah Mining 2019 report issued by the Utah Geological Survey(UGS) shows Utah’s mining production increased by 2.4%, or over $90 million, last year. The state’s total extractive resource value in 2019, including oil and gas, was estimated at $6.5 billion, with mining representing 60%, or $3.9 billion, of the total value.

The State of Utah applauds the delisting of the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act (ESA). States are often best positioned to appropriately manage wildlife populations. With the number of wolves growing across the West, we believe it is time to allow the states to take the helm.

The Utah Department of Natural Resources and its partners will soon begin restoring nearly 100,000 acres of land burned in 36 wildfires this year through Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI).

The waterfalls at Gunlock State Park have ceased to flow due to an operational modification of Gunlock Reservoir requested by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation. High levels of visitation have made it difficult for individuals and families to social distance themselves from others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recently released four-year study by the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) provides new detailed mapping of faults along the Wasatch Front that are capable of surface rupture.

In the wake of COVID-19, state and federal land managing agencies are coordinating together to help Utahns better navigate outdoor recreational opportunities, restrictions and changing conditions at both state and national parks, as well as other recreation areas statewide.

The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) continues to provide emergency response to last Wednesday’s M5.7 earthquake in Magna and is now transitioning into analysis of the collected data. Field reconnaissance of various geologic effects from the earthquake is now finished, unless additional effects are located.