SOB Hill and Devil's Lane by Mark Betts
The
relay ramp faults are transferring throw or movement from the high
angle normal faults that form either side of the graben. When two large
relay ramps merge such as here at SOB hill, the throws can visibly
offset the graben. View is from the south looking north.
The
predominant N-S fractures are from westerly extension. All of this
sandstone is riding on the underlying Paradox Salt. The Colorado River
has finally cut down into the salt layer. The salt dissolves and erodes
rapidly and allows the overlying sandstone to crash down into the river.
This allows even more westward movement as material sloughs into the
river canyon. These faults and associated grabens are very young and are
a great example of modern geology that is happening now and easy to
see.
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