There are many opinions as to how Upheaval Dome was formed, but experts can’t agree on one. In an area approximately three miles (5 km) across, rock layers are dramatically deformed. However new research, including a microscopic study of the sand grains at the bottom of the crater, suggests that Upheaval Dome may indeed have been formed by a meteorite. Within Canyonlands National Park, Upheaval Dome serves as a protected geologic laboratory where all can learn about, and be inspired by, the mysteries of nature. With some exceptions, these layers have not been altered, tilted or folded significantly in the millions of years since they were laid down by ancient seas, rivers or winds. In the center, the rocks are pushed up into a circular structure called a dome, or an anticline. To some, Upheaval Dome is a hollowed crater, evidence of a meteorite strike some 200 million years ago. Permits – Park Pass purchased at Entrance station for $10 per vehicle. In this case, Upheaval Dome only represents the center of a larger crater. 2003. 0.6mi Oct 3, 2016 Marissa Bialek. Continue straight on this road for 13.1 miles, during which you’ll come to the Park Entrance booth. If coming from south from Moab, from downtown Moab take US Hwy 191 north for 11.0 miles and then turn left (East) onto UT Hwy 313. The second – and more violent – is that, 200 million years ago, a meteorite one third of a mile in diameter struck what is now Upheaval Dome. Perhaps, with time, we may solve the mystery of this crater and others on our planet. I would recommend saving your energy and your time for other hikes in the park, like to Aztec Butte, Mesa Arch, and others. Upheaval Dome—a deep, circular depression containing sharp, chalky badlands—is one of Utah’s Canyonlands National Park’s, or even the American Southwest’s, greatest geological mysteries. Dead Horse Point has some of the best vistas in Utah. I know that I’m certainly not smart enough to figure it out. Let’s hit the trail! Hikers also have the option to hike the around all of the rim of Upheaval Dome, although you won’t have views of Upheaval Dome from the trail. Many of the larger meteoroid-impact craters on the Moon and elsewhere contain a central peak or dome, which is interpreted to form by converging shock waves. Within Canyonlands National Park, Upheaval Dome serves as a protected geologic laboratory where all can learn about, and be inspired by, the mysteries of nature. The Upheaval Dome impact crater, Utah: Combining structural and numerical data to constrain age, diameter, and amount of erosion. There are two theories that explain how it may have formed. “Two vastly different phenomena, impact and salt diapirism, have been proposed for the origin of Upheaval Dome, a spectacular scenic feature in southeast Utah. Stratigraphic Section Cross Section Some geologists think that around 200 million years ago a meteorite struck here, and after the impact there was a violent uplift of rock below to fill the void of the above rock that was destroyed by the impact. In the center, the rocks are pushed up into a circular structure called a dome, or an anticline. Season to hike – Year around The impact initially created an unstable crater that partially collapsed. https://www.yourhikeguide.com/canyonlands-national-park-upheaval-dome This picture is posted at the trailhead and gives a great overhead perspective of Upheaval Dome. How are Domes Formed? Recent research findings support the meteorite hypothesis, but questions still remain. Elevation at Trailhead – 5705 feet Lunar and Planetary Institute Third International Conference on Large Meteorite Impacts, August 5-7th, 2003, Nordlingen, Germany. If true, Upheaval Dome would earn the distinction of being the most deeply eroded salt structure on earth. The rim of Upheaval Dome is 3 miles across and over 1000 feet above the core floor. This salt layer remains today in some parts. The overlying rock layers were uplifted and then eroded, leaving the bull’s-eye surface pattern. Geologists don't know how it was formed but have two competing theories: that a salt dome pushed up through layers of sand stone and then eroded away leaving the structure below; or that a meteor struck leaving a crater behind that was partially filled by the upheaval of rock. Table 1. Next, use both the stratigraphic section and the cross section from the Investigation (Chapter 2) to determine the order in which these layers formed. Geologists don't know how it was formed but have two competing theories: that a salt dome pushed up through layers of sand stone and then eroded away leaving the structure below; or that a meteor struck leaving a crater behind that was partially filled by the upheaval of rock. Detailed geologic mapping and seismic refraction data indicate that the dome originated by collapse of a transient cavity formed by impact. ISS015-E-5983. While the Syncline Loop Trail is a nice hike, most hikers shouldn’t take the time to do this hike, but instead hike to the two lookout points instead. Dead Horse Point State Park is also a must see spot and is only a couple of miles outside of Canyonlands National Park. Detailed geologic mapping, seismic refraction data, and the presence of shock metamorphosed rocks indicate that the dome originated by collapse of a transient cavity formed impact.