Wasatch Fault Animation

This animation illustrates many of the processes that have formed the rocks and mountains seen in the canyon.  You will see the Precambrian and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks stacking up in layers as they were deposited in ancient oceans.  The deposition was followed by Mesozoic fold and thrust deformation  The last processes you will see are the Cenozoic extension and normal faulting of the area creating Utah Valley and the Wasatch Front.  Watch carefully as the valley fills with eroded sediments (yellow) and the mountains on the right side of the screen erode back to their present position.  Notice the differential rates of erosion between the resistant cliff-forming limestones and sandstones, and the non-resistant shale (the green layer in the middle of the screen).  At the very end of the animation, Lake Bonneville will fill the valley.  Watch carefully as two distinct terraces are built out into the lake and then are subsequently offset by the movement of the Wasatch Fault. 
(Animation produced by Rob Allen and Ron Harris)