Joint Patterns Along the Eastern Escarpment of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in Bryce Canyon National Park

Rydout, Gary; Rogers, J; Gibson, Lay; Reeves, Richard

The origin of the rock pinnacle landforms called hoodoos for which Bryce Canyon National Park is famous, remains controversial, as do reasons for their apparent alignment and great abundance along the eastern escarpment of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in Southern Utah. Current opinions about the control of hoodoo development in the area are based primarily on the 1) observation of apparent linearities in the aerial distribution of hoodoos, 2) the assumption of positive angular relationships between hoodoo alignment and local or regional bedrock jointing patterns, 3) interpretation of hoodoo position along the Paunsaugunt Escarpment relative to bedrock structural and stratigraphic variation (Bezy 1980); Lindquist 1980, 1977; Evitt et al 1979; Brox 1961; Hager 1957). The present study is restricted to an examination of the jointing exhibited in the sedimentary rocks cropping out along the escarpment of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in the northern portion of Bryce Canyon National Park. The objectives of this study are: 1) to record the strike orientation of sufficient numbers of vertical joints to forma statistically sound data set, 2) to use this dataset to define any discernable regional or local jointing patterns, and 3) to examine relationships between jointing patterns and the larger structures (faults / folds) reported in the region. The ultimate objective of this study is the projected use of the data in a comprehensive analysis of the morphogenetic relationships among jointing patterns, other gross structural features, lithological differences, hydrological variables and various surface characteristics on the erosional development of the Paunsaugunt escarpment within Park boundaries.