New Geological Map of Firehole Canyon Quadrangle Released by Wyoming State Geological Survey
The Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) has unveiled a new geological bedrock map titled Preliminary Geologic Map of the Firehole Canyon 30′ x 60′ Quadrangle, covering areas in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, Daggett County, Utah, and Moffat County, Colorado, Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports.
The map, accompanied by a detailed report, offers an in-depth examination of the geological formations and history of the Firehole Canyon area in southwestern Wyoming.
Authored by geologists Derek Lichtner and Colby Schwaderer, the publication highlights the region’s diverse geological features, which include significant formations dating back to the Late Cretaceous period. Dr. Erin Campbell, WSGS director and Wyoming State geologist, emphasized the map’s value for researchers, land managers, industry professionals, and anyone interested in the geological history of Wyoming.
“This map provides a detailed look at the unique geology of the Firehole Canyon region,” said Dr. Campbell. “This publication is a valuable resource for anyone curious about the complex geological processes that have shaped southwestern Wyoming.”
The Firehole Canyon quadrangle is situated in the southwestern part of Wyoming and encompasses portions of the Rock Springs Uplift, Bridger Basin, and the northern flank of the Uinta Mountains. The map traces important geological events, such as the formation of the Sevier foreland basin and its later transformation into intermontane basins during the Laramide orogeny, a key period in the region’s geological evolution.
The new map is part of the WSGS’s broader initiative to map Wyoming’s geology at a 1:100,000 scale, helping to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the state’s geologic landscape. The map, designated Open File Report 2024-1, is available as a free PDF download or can be purchased in hardcopy. The accompanying 13-page report provides an overview of the Firehole Canyon area’s geological history, as well as details about previous mapping efforts that were compiled and verified in the field during this project.
This mapping project was funded in part by the US National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (STATEMAP), which is managed by the US Geological Survey.
