The White River Plateau[1] is a "broad structural dome"[2] located north of Glenwood Springs, Colorado and north of the Colorado River. Also called the White River Uplift, the mountainous area is shown on maps as being roughly circular in area, occupying parts of the Colorado counties of Garfield and Rio Blanco, with small portions extending into Eagle and Routt counties.[3] The Grand Hogback marks parts of the plateau's southern and western boundaries. The Flat Tops mountain range is part of the White River Plateau, and much of the plateau is located within the White River National Forest.[4]

The summit of Blair Mountain, elevation 11,465 feet (3,495 meters), is the plateau's highest point.

Geology

The plateau forms part of the Southern Rocky Mountains. It was created during the Eocene, during the latter part of the Laramide orogeny.[5]

References

  1. ^ "White River Plateau". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ Mallory, William M. (1971). The Eagle Valley evaporite, northwest Colorado: A regional synthesis. Contributions to general geology — Geological Survey bulletin ; 1311-E. Washington: United States Government Printing Office. p. E2. LCCN 70-610530.
  3. ^ Scott, R.B.; Lidke, D.J.; Hudson, M.R; Perry, Jr., W.J.; Bryant, Bruce; Kunk, M.J.; Budahn, J.R.; Byers, Jr., F.M. (1999). "Active evaporite tectonics and collapse in the Eagle River valley and the southwestern flank of the White River Uplift, Colorado". GSA Field Guides. 1: 97–114. doi:10.1130/0-8137-0001-9.97. ISBN 0-8137-0001-9. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
  4. ^ "Flat Tops Wilderness- White River". White River National Forest. United States. Department of Agriculture. Forest Service. Retrieved 2018-10-07. The Flat Tops are part of the White River Plateau with an average elevation of about 10,000 feet.
  5. ^ Tweto, Ogden (1980). "Summary of Laramide orogeny in Colorado" (PDF). Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 1980 Symposium. Colorado Geological Survey. Retrieved 2018-10-07.

39°47′30″N 107°21′50″W / 39.79167°N 107.36389°W / 39.79167; -107.36389


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