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Capitol Reef NP, Utah
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The Waterpocket Fold is a nearly 100-mile long monocline, a wrinkle in the Earth's crust, that extends through Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. [source: National Park Service]
The rocks exposed in the Waterpocket Fold range from 270 to 80 million years old, showcasing a significant span of Earth's geological history. [source: Utah Geological Survey]
Erosion continues to sculpt the Waterpocket Fold, creating the distinctive waterpockets and slot canyons that give the feature its name. [source: National Park Service]
The Waterpocket Fold's varied elevations and climates support a range of ecosystems, from desert scrub to lush riparian zones. [source: National Park Service]
The Waterpocket Fold was created around 50 to 70 million years ago during the Laramide Orogeny, a period of mountain building in western North America. [source: Utah Geological Survey]
The area has been inhabited by various Indigenous peoples for thousands of years, with evidence of Fremont culture petroglyphs found in the region. [source: National Park Service]
