The Amazing Geology of Antelope Island State Park in the Great Salt Lake, northern Utah

[@alanclark639]

When you see a 1.8 billion year old rock which is made of other rocks worn into roundish cobbles and pebbles by being rolled in a glacial stream in a previous long erased mountain region - you get to appreciate our own insignificance. Beautiful hike around again Shawn, glad I could come along.

[@b.a.d.2086]

I look out my windows to the west and I see Antelope Island (and have done so for 80 years) and I never tire of the view. My high school senior biology teacher, Dr. Max Harward, grew up on the island and I heard some great stories of his adventures. I have been out there many times but this geology lesson is a real gift! It makes me appreciate my home area even more. It is the most comprehensive tour and I thank you!

[@nohandle257]

Gotta say, this was one of the most informative and interesting geology presentations I've ever taken in, and I watch geology programs all the time.

[@holly50575]

Thank you, Dr. Willsey! I felt like I was standing right next to you. Fascinating geology and great weather! Life is good.

[@shawnwillsey]

Wow. Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@dennisdye7270]

Thanks! Your video series has prompted me to fly west to SLC and follow the path of the Bonneville flood, also stopping at other points in the area you have highlighted. This retired chemist always had an interest in the story in the rocks and now have the time to indulge myself. Thanks for the effort to make these great videos.

[@shawnwillsey]

Your donation is very much appreciated. So great that my videos have inspired your upcoming adventure. My two books, Geology Underfoot in Southern Idaho and Roadside Geology of Idaho would be great references and travel companions if you are interested. You can get signed copies here: shawn-willsey.square.site/ or they are available on Amazon. Let me know if you have any questions about your trip and if you are in Twin Falls, let me know.

[@pdledesma]

Just visited Antelope Island on Friday and wish I had this tour pre- trip! Could you explain the significant gap in time between the basement and pre Cambrian rock and the fairly young alluvium? All that exciting geology and then nothing? Lake Bonneville doesn't appear old enough to account for all of that time...

[@jagers4xford471]

So much to see on Antelope Island. I looked up once and saw a bison some feet away. I love counting the ancient shore lines on the Island and the surrounding topography. Thanks Shawn!

[@SkepticalRaptor]

Snowball earth is the most fascinating geological period, at least to me. I didn’t know what to look for. I hope I can find some in the future. Right now, I’m in the middle of a huge caldera in Mammoth, CA. 🤣

[@rogercotman1314]

Very nice review of metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rock types. Likewise, the terrain is so incredible. 40 like

[@shawnwillsey]

Thank you very much!

[@1sgooden]

Thank you for respecting the bison! Thank you for helping to open my eyes so I can see the geology rather than trudging over it. You are a gifted and patient teacher/educator. Thank you again. Keep creating quality content. It is appreciated more than you know.

[@LizWCraftAdd1ct]

What an amazing place, wow. Thanks Shawn. Loved the tour.

[@Will-ll4gv]

I always wished I had a friend that was a geologist, seriously I thought that would be great. Thank you for being a friend😄

[@shawnwillsey]

No problem 😊

[@realviking2767]

Starting the weekend with a great geology lesson, thanks!

[@shawnwillsey]

Rock on!

[@loisrossi841]

I love seeing such ancient rocks, thank you.

[@9474sammus]

This video is amazing I've lived in utah my entire live and have been on antelope island many times but having a geological explanation of the island is really cool my grandfather was a geologist but sadly passed before something like this was interesting to me so it's very cool to see someone who thinks like he did thank you.

[@madscatt1063]

Wow, what a story! Thank you.

[@kevinkoll2420]

I have watched this twice now, I really enjoy your love for geology. Please keep up the fine videos and classes. Thank You

[@CraigJensen-tq7sq]

I absolutely love Antelope Island. I try to go out four to six times a year and have hiked to Frary Peak on a number of occasions. The vistas from up top are amazing, and at night, it is eerily quiet which I love.

[@burningchrome70]

This is fun and educational! Thank you.

[@stevenwolfson8699]

That was awesome Shawn! Thank you.

[@cw7429]

love these videos! really helps to have you explain things while you are there looking at the environments and rocks!

[@shawnwillsey]

Glad you like them!

[@nanasloves]

🫨 THANK YOU!!! I love Antelope Island and will appreciate it even more now.

[@mikekilian5403]

Thanks!

[@shawnwillsey]

Thanks for the kind donation!

[@mikekilian5403]

@@shawnwillsey You're welcome. I really love all the information you share.

[@baTonkaTruck]

This video is so great, so many invaluable tips for identification, with historical and bio-chemical context. Little things like the tilt of an outcrop guiding us to what's above that layer, things like that you can only really get from this format. Really appreciate your videos!

[@shawnwillsey]

Thanks. Glad they are helpful.

[@aureaphilos]

I visited Antelope Island back in 2007, but at the time I was there for the birds along the causeway, and the pronghorn in the highlands. Thanks for sharing the geology that I missed!

[@toughenupfluffy7294]

That was a real treat! Thank you!

[@shawnwillsey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mudgetheexpendable]

Your enthusiasm makes your erudition more interesting than it is intimidating.

[@shawnwillsey]

Good to hear. Thanks for the kind compliment.

[@jacksprat9972]

Great video. Image quality was good...A very spectacular cross section. Thank you.

[@Danika_Nadzan]

This was just as engrossing the second time around! (I watched the 4 segments when you posted them separately.) I'll most likely not get to visit Antelope Island in person, so your detailed explanations of rock texture, color, composition, etc. are enormously helpful. I can see why this spot is one of your favorites...such a wide span of geologic time so beautifully represented and easily acessible! Even the bison like the rocks!😉 Thanks for another great lesson, Professor!

[@shawnwillsey]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching.

[@dianespears6057]

A remarkable and complex story. Thank you for your time and knowledge.

[@alexbradmckay]

This guy rocks!! Thanks for these awesome videos.

[@shawnwillsey]

Thanks for watching!

[@danielcarroll5667]

One of the coolest places I've ever been , thanks for explaining it in detail .

[@lisameyer293]

Thank you I have always collected rocks, plus am a hiker I have always wished for a geologist to provide info on the rocks on the way !!!This is so cool love your channel ❣️

[@glennquagmire1747]

This is really fascinating to me 👍

[@CricketsMa]

Wow! Just Wow! Thank you!!

[@ConsolidatedPBY]

You are incredible sir. I wish there was someone like you here on the Front Range of Colorado to discuss our geology on KZbin.

[@shawnwillsey]

Give me some awesome sites in the Front Range and I'll try to get out there someday to do some videos. Every time I visit CO, I think, "I need to come to Colorado more often."

[@40TiL5]

Always, I ❤ and appreciate your informative video , highly educational with fascinating history that is often incomprehensible how others do their videos, (at least for me)! When I'm not in the actual field, receiving that "hands on" type learning can be very difficult to grasp it all in whole without actually being there. Although when someone starts sharing those highly important little details that you always include, such as what these textures feel like to you... I often can't retain much. When you have to work with only half of the whole, that gets placed for everyone on that table. Your videos are amazing as you make sure the entire explanation of the subject is present! You complete the process by doing that, so very thankful, it's important to me when everything is availble and present from beginning, I don't have to re-read chapters until I can collect the sometimes missing details that would be incredibly beneficial from the beginning in order to organize, analyze... to begin building a solid understanding. normally I have these my messy piles of thoughts, words and termalogies, etc. that overwhelms me. That kind of learning is frustrating to me, as it all takes so much more time and energy for it to finally set in. You conveniently include everything in full, as with all of your well crafted videos! I can barrow the "hands on" facts and details from you as you go along. (I like how you placed this video in parts), I also found helpful. Often times I feel its unfortunate, these little or big things do unintentionally get left out by some. Well, I notice sometimes that things are intentional, things some people already know are skipped. But not everyone knows that same things. Reasons that happens will go unexplained, so I'm only getting what is delivered. Why did they leave these things out? If they had explained, then I would probably understood all of this by now!!!" 😭😂🤣 When I DO get the time to be in the field, I can then set aside what I had previously barrowed from your easy explanations. I then will experience everything for myself in full! I wasn't sure about them Bison though, at least they were scratching on rocks, and not trying to run you off the island! Ty for all the great work you do! You are my favorite professor! 🕉️

[@Kosmonooit]

Thank you

[@shawnwillsey]

You're welcome

[@shawnwillsey]

You can support my field videos by clicking on the "Thanks" button just above (right of Like button) or by going here: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=EWUSLG3GBS5W8

[@n0lat]

They're rocks, Hank!

[@Disscombobulated]

Mr. Willsey, I finally had a chance to make it to the island to check out the rocks. I watched these videos a few times to get prepared. My intention was to go to that same spot featured here, but ended up a little further south, where I hiked through similar rocks as featured in Part 1 and 2. A bit overwhelming trying to recall rock names, and time periods, while moving up the hill. I finally gave up on trying to I.D things and just enjoyed all the cool geology. I can't wait to get back. Thank you for your videos.

[@shawnwillsey]

Awesome. Glad you had a fun geo-adventure.

[@3xHermes]

Very well done! Thx!!

[@wtglb]

Interesting, I am enjoying these videos

[@ihavemadeamisnake]

i might go here this weekend.

[@joseangeltorresespinosa7997]

Un buen recorrido geologico a través de rocas antiguas, felicidades y un buen saludo desde México.

[@drew8256]

Awesome series, have hiked and trail run there for years but didn’t know about the geology. Very interesting, thanks for the great work.

[@peggylosacco8811]

Thank you so much..

[@shawnwillsey]

You're most welcome

[@stevewhalen6973]

Thanks!

[@BigRedTower]

That bison was like, "Yep, it's true. Geology is pretty awesome! (scratch scratch)."

[@ddds-ys4xv]

@@BigRedTower I thought I heard that bison say after he looked up " humans you people will never learn " . There's no proof for any modern day geology. It's all about the money - gold anyways

[@leechild4655]

Think how many years you traveled from bottom to top of the ridge. In all that time you would be hard pressed to find visible signs of life. wow

[@michaelkaiser4674]

Great views.

[@jeriabel]

Very interesting!!!

[@hestheMaster]

This particular area you are at Shawn is the most longest recording of time by different types of rocks that one can find in North America and all in a ten mile square area. Bison are not friendly! Great video.

[@bairwelldrilling9657]

Hi we have been drilling through some of that rounded quartz that is held held in place and it is very rough on bits it is very interesting to learn about this stuff from you

[@petesilcox4102]

Thank you for the explanation of what I have seen but never taken the time to understand,until my retirement

[@jackripleymaddiero]

😊 Another great one!🎉

[@shawnwillsey]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@CosmicAliveness]

Wow dang that is sweet minerals. Dang I don't even know what I am looking at but definitely gneisse views gnartes as Barkley hammer time

[@jackripleymaddiero]

Thanks

[@shawnwillsey]

Thank you

[@ronaldcoleman9370]

Awesome!!! I wished you would have explained how the 1.8 billion year old rock surfaced though!!! Love your channel Shawn!!!

[@shawnwillsey]

The island is bounded by normal faults that uplifted the island over the past 20-15 million years as part of Basin And Range extension.

[@ronaldcoleman9370]

Thanks Shawn for the reply!! I am surprised since this was an older video!! I appreciate it!!@@shawnwillsey

[@gigistrus490]

New subscriber here. Great presentation. I wasn't able to go to college, so thankful you're willing to share information.

[@shawnwillsey]

Thanks for watching. Enjoy all the existing videos on my channel.

[@gigistrus490]

@@shawnwillsey I'm busy reviewing them all. Paying attention to correct names, etc.

[@jettyeddie_m9130]

That schist was gneiss, would love a countertop of that!

[@stg8831]

I’ve been there once as a child. What I remember most about the lake is the giant spiders hanging out under the docks.

[@jenniferlee1993]

I would love your views on the mountains of Parlys Canyon. I am so curiouse about the rocks. You can see the rocks twisted and rotated. Different colors of rocks.

[@ellenbryn]

I'm reviewing this lovely field trip to a place I know well, although my parents don't oftrn go out to visit in winter. Their house is opposite Antelope Island on the "bench" of Mount Ogden- it's the shoreline of Lake Bonneville, obviously, but unfortunately there's a suspiciously dramatic dropoff at the edge of their property. I think it's the Wasatch Fault.

[@clydebennish2106]

Very pleasant video... Please advise - ive had several rock picks; 14oz, 22oz, pointy and flat. I never liked them because i thought they were difficult to belt-carry or backpack safely. Then i cringed when seeing you carry your pick rock hammer behind your head. I concede that the geologist hammer is quite useful, but i now carry a 14 to 16 oz machinist hammer that is in my opinion much safer to handle and carry, and it works just about as well.. mind you i modified the rear, wedged part to form a dull knife edge similar to the back edge of a flat rock hammer. I hope one day you discuss geologist tool options and recommendations for the field.. And ill ask you this: how does one determine which plastics are safe in which to carry dilute hydrocloric acid? Thanks

[@laurafolsom2048]

Morning!

[@shawnwillsey]

Back at ya!

[@ReclinedPhysicist]

Thanks! Is the bottom of this sequence part of the boring billion?

[@shawnwillsey]

I was not familiar with this term so looked it up. Boring Billion = 1.8 Ga to 800 Ma. Yes, the basement rocks are about 1.8 Ga. But the diamictite above is younger, about 720 to 650 Ma. As someone who thinks nearly all rocks are cool and have an awesome story to tell, I will not be adopting the Boring Billion term. 😉

[@shawnwillsey]

Thanks for your kind donation!

[@robinwells8879]

Are the gneiss’ derived from the pegmatite due to its intrusion at depth? Are they the source of the heat and pressure. I always understood gneiss to be metamorphosed granite type rocks. I used as a child to frequent a place in Northern Ireland called Hares Gap with large crystalled granite with ?drouosey? cavities full of garnet, topaz and aquamarine crystals. Used to be quite magical.

[@rickwalker8763]

Thank you Professor Willsey! Could you tell us about the archean gneiss, schist, and stretched-pebble metaconglomerate along Clear Creek in the Raft River Range in a future episode?

[@shawnwillsey]

I've head of these but haven't been up there yet. Can you send me directions or GPS coordinates of where I can see these?

[@jwcinc12]

I was waiting for him to point out Un-Conformity tie to Snowball earth. Is that the top layer professor or did I see taller hills/peaks.

[@eddydogleg]

Dolostone and dolomite 2 words for the same rock? I've drilled lots of dolomite. One my favourite projects was north of Spirit River AB out on the Moonshine Lake Rd. I noted driving in that all the well were on artificial lift, a good sign that you shouldn't have to worry about a blowout. That held true for all but one well that must have had more vugs than the others because on that one after a connection we had oil and drilling fluid coming over the BOP stack.

[@shawnwillsey]

Yes, more or less. However, dolomite is a mineral so I (and others) use dolostone to distinguish the two. Some use dolomite as a rock name.

[@toughenupfluffy7294]

Dolostone is primarily dolomite, like limestone is primarily calcite.

[@jbroshar87]

Good vid, needs more bison tho

[@scottsluggosrule4670]

I use Hawaiian Tropic Dry Oil Sunblock...keeps all biting insects off you and protects from sun - smells nice too. Only caveat is that if you get really wet you need to reapply. Sunblock portion is waterproof but the bug part is not.

[@bluumana6981]

I remember when I was a kid I went to Antelope Island for a field trip & I ended finding this big rock that was just filled with Rose Quartz. I dug a hole in the sand and hid the rock…. I ended up forgetting where I left it and sulked the whole way back to school.

[@DragonHeartTree]

I’ve seen those glacial deposits in Payson canyon. Did you mention what the ground mass was for those?

[@shawnwillsey]

Where in Payson Canyon do you see these? Can you provide directions or GPS coordinates? Ground mass of diamictite is mud sized particles.

[@cyndikarp3368]

West coast geology is complicated. I have always thought there was a lot of different geologic processes in this area.

[@piotrrajmundkoprowski4732]

I did not know I could survive hundreds of million years but it felt like less then an hour.

[@danielchapman9635]

How about the Big Bend in Texas?

[@frankanddanasnyder3272]

Most of the rocks at the base of the slope do not look in situ...no good outcrop?

[@sixfigureskibum]

Did ypu know there is an intersection of lay lines out in the flats east of the island

[@allenchildvideos7608]

How are the different rocks dated?

[@shawnwillsey]

Radioactive isotopes present in minerals. Mainly isotopes of Uranium or Strontium or Argon.

[@loisrossi841]

You are the Neil deGrass Tyson of geology!

[@toughenupfluffy7294]

'Gneiss,' from the Old High German 'gneisto,' spark. Due to the rock's sheen in the sunlight.

[@macking104]

If you walked north, could have shown non marine sediments. A little south before the bend is a fault and marine sediments. “The landslide deposits locally top the sequence. They are massive, laterally continuous sedimentary megabreccias containing clasts that are up to 5 m in diameter and display a distinctive jigsaw-puzzle texture. These breccias formed as two cataclysmically emplaced, air-cushioned landslides. One was dislodged from the Vallecito Mountains and traveled eastward, while the other was released from the Fish Creek Mountains and traveled westward.” Sedimentary Geology, Volume 38, Issues 1-4, March 1984, Pages 217-246 Early neogene continental sedimentation in the vallecito and fish creek mountains, Western Salton Trough, California Dennis R. Kerr

[@quakekatut8641]

Why do all the rock formations trend west?

[@shawnwillsey]

East-west compression of Sevier Orogeny tilted and folded rocks such that they typically strike (trend) north-south and dip (tilt) to east or west.

[@sdmike1141]

Diamictite…nice!

[@OFolau]

We know more about 500 million years ago than 500 years ago.

[@markcronin608]

🙂

[@robertjohnson5227]

What type of acid does he carry in that bottle

[@shawnwillsey]

Dilute HCl

[@robertjohnson5227]

@shawnwillsey if you're wondering I was a rock hound for a few years Geology plays a big part of it Why not make your channel more interesting by teaching people how to look for and find precious and semi precious stones and / or gold & silver If you need any advice please feel free to contact me

[@jamiedbg51]

Part IV doesn’t make sense bc the San Gabriel mountains in Southern California are 1.6 billion years old so parts of California are almost as old as your part I gneiss rocks. ????

[@marchutton7640]

When I was in graduate School at the U, I spent at least one weekend a month Mtn biking Antelope Island from spring to winter. I never stopped to look at the rocks. I should have.

[@larrywilcken2033]

Thanks!

[@stevewhalen6973]

Thanks!

[@shawnwillsey]

Thank you for your generosity.

[@scottdoubet5458]

Thanks!

[@shawnwillsey]

Much appreciated. Thanks for this donation.

[@kevinzepp6838]

Thanks!

[@shawnwillsey]

Thank you!

[@alanice8087]

Thanks!

[@shawnwillsey]

Thank you!

[@nanasloves]

Thanks!

[@shawnwillsey]

Thanks for your kind donation. Antelope Island is one of my favorite places.

[@rodbhar6522]

Thanks!

[@shawnwillsey]

Much appreciated!