Paleontology and geologyPermian rocks in Utah are a complex mixture of sandstones, limestones, shales, and phosphates. Although much of the sandstone was formed in a marine environment, some areas have the large-scale cross-bedding common to wind-formed sand dunes. Fossils are most abundant in the limestones, and include fusilinids, ammonoids, brachiopods, and conodonts, as well as trails and burrows made by marine organisms. This map indicates the presence of Permian rocks in the southernmost part of the state. |