Pikes Peak Pebble Pups

Pikes Peak Pebble Pups

Friday, March 7, 2014

Causeway Caused Colors on Great Salt Lake

Shown below is part of the south end of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) in Utah. While flying in a small plane at an altitude of 580 m above the lake's surface, the play of light from the purple and green lake water against the blue and white sky quickly captured my attention. The reason for the colorful contrasts is the causeway that connects the west shore of Stansbury Island (seen on the left) to the west shore of the lake. The causeway forms the north end of what has come to be called Stansbury Bay. This earth-filed impoundment prevents the exchange of lake water between the bay and the water to the north, leading to a change of the bay's salinity. The change in salinity and the chemicals added to the bay by a mineral extraction to speed evaporation result in the purplish colors. Photo taken on February 24, 2014.
Photographer: Patrick Wiggins
Summary Authors: Patrick Wiggins; Brent Watson




Above Great Salt Lake, Utah Coordinate: 40.880572, -112.595300





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Welcome! This is the gateway to adventure and discovery

Through this blog pebble pups and junior members of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society can access their lessons, work on assignments and projects, and receive details about field trips in the Pikes Peak Region. This Internet program is also suitable for young people who are interested in Earth science but do not live near a rock club or gem and mineral society or for young people anywhere who want a deeper dive into these topics. The only requirement is that all participants must be members of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society and must fill out the CSMS membership form (under important websites) and send their registration and membership fee in. Steven Veatch is the senior instructor and will need an email from you with your name, address, phone number, and permission from your parents to participate in this program.