Coral Pink Sand Dunes

Park History/Geology

• When was it founded? -
  • Founded in 1963
• Where are they? -
  • Park Elevation is 6,000 feet.
  • The Coral Pink Sand Dunes are a feature of the Colorado Plateau and the Vermilion Cliffs.
  • There are several hundred feet and two-thousand acres of sand piled along the Sevier Fault and the park is growing.
  • The park features coral-hued sand dunes located beside red sandstone cliffs.
  • There is a conservation area of 265 acres (1.07 km²), and the total grounds include 3,370 acres (13.6 km²).
• How did they form? -
  • Dunes consist of sand formed from the erosion of Navajo Sandstone.
  • Sand dunes are created by three factors: Sand, high winds, and a unique influence upon the wind. The notch between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains causes this unique influence. The wind is funneled through the notch, thereby increasing wind velocity to a point where it can carry sand grains from the eroding Navajo sandstone.This phenomenon is known as the Venturi Effect. Once the wind passes through the notch and into the open valley, the wind velocity decreases, causing the sand to be deposited.
• What gives them their distinct color? -
  • Sand formed from Navajo Sandstone, contains iron oxide

Resources - https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink/discover/, http://www.zionnational-park.com/sdgeology.htm, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Pink_Sand_Dunes_State_Park

Current Event

Tiger beetles have been on the endangered list for 34 years. They only reside at Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Droughts have started to kill more and more beetles.