Why Is This Stark White Mountain Sitting In The Middle of Utah's West Desert: Geology Revealed!

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I just realized that your students are very lucky to have such a dedicated individual. It doesn't take a rocket scientist or professor to understand that you love what you're doing.🔨

Between you and Nick Zentner, I feel like I'm ready to take my exam for my associates in geology. Really appreciate what you're doing.

There's a similar looking isolated white mountain (hill) called "Crystal Mountain" which actually is "crystal" (quartz) near Burgdorf, Idaho. Would love to see you do a field trip to that one, too.

Thanks for the info! note: On very clear mornings, typically in late May and mid-July, as the rising sun breaks the horizon, as seen from the East, Crystal Peak glows a bright neon orange-pink.

I feel ridiculously blessed to have someone like you explain and explore the geology of my area! Utah is a gorgeous state, and full of geological wonders. Would love to see you take a look at the Timpanogos cave!

I considered becoming a geologist back in the '80s, which seemed a perfect fit for me at the time. At least, until our class geology professor told the entire class to forget about making it a career choice because there were 10,000 unemployed geologists in Denver alone. I'm still very interested in geology, but I ended up in electro/mechanical engineering instead.

Years ago I worked for a summer as an Interp Ranger at Great Basin NP and on those typical clear summer days, in the late afternoons from the lookout point on the way to the upper Lehman campground that mountain would be particularly conspicuous and I'd always wondered about it with the intention of going to inspect it though I never had the chance so thanks for that great geologic story. It answers a lot of questions as well a bringing back a lot of great memories...PS, the previous hike up to Wheeler Peak was likewise a treat, and it reminds me of all the other great features in that region. Cheers.

My family goes camping out there. We love exploring the west desert. Fossil Mountain is incredible as well. When I first visited I was mesmerized by this mountain and throughly enjoyed exploiting it with my children. Now when we go back I tell them everything I learned from watching by this video. Thank you!

What an elegantly told story; I love how you piece things together for us and present it in a way that a lay-person can understand. Thank you!

Thanks a lot, I really like when you clearly and logically explain the mysteries of just what that is there that we were otherwise mostly ignoring-

So weird, and so cool. Never would have guessed that was a pyroclastic flow that is now actually higher than its' surroundings.

I’m an amateur geologist! I passed by this this weekend. Family and I went to nearby Roosevelt Hot Spring. I thought that this mountain stood out a lot! Super fascinating and really interesting to learn about. :)

Very interesting! Love the deductive thought process. 👍🏼

Thanks for video. If you haven't already some content on the recently described Indian Peak-Caliente Caldera Complex would interest me. I assume this tuff was part of the associated vulcanism.

Great series of illustrations explaining how Crystal Peak came to be. I'm glad a geologist is here to explain everthing since there has been a lot going on for 33 million years. Tafoni looks like Swiss cheese type rock. Calcium carbonate and ancient sand dunes mixed together. Chemical weathering for yes those 30 million plus years gave it that natural sponge look. A very interesting place to visit professor!

As soft as the rock is as demonstrated later in the video, I'm surprised that it is harder than the surrounding Paleozoic sandstones during its formation.

I always thought that those holes were caused by the escape of volcanic gasses upon deposition like mud pots or bubbles. Great content. Very informative and well produced. Keep 'em coming...thanx

Great job of explaining this area. I’m not a geologist; just curious about lots of things, so your explanation was easy for me to follow! Thank you!

I came across that place several years ago while roaming the backroads of the desert. Thank you for your in depth analysis!