Geologic Units

Quaternary alluvial deposits
Gravels and terraces on western Snake River Plain
Quaternary surficial cover, fluveolian cover on Snake River Plain, alluvial fans (Snake River Group)
Pleistocene basalt lava
Pliocene and Upper Miocene stream and lake deposits (Salt Lake Formation, Starlight Formation, Idaho Group)

  Map Key
Geologic units with unit designation.
Normal Fault: certain; dashed where approximately located; dotted where concealed.
Thrust Fault: certain; dashed where approximately located; dotted where concealed.
Detachment Fault: certain; dashed where approximately located; dotted where concealed.
Interstate Route.
U.S. Route.
State Route.
Location of Rockwalk rock from the county.
Cities.
Feature location.

Canyon County

Canyon County is entirely on the Snake River Plain, between the Snake River on the south and the foothills of the central Idaho Mountains on the north. Much of the county is underlain by Quaternary alluvium of the Boise River and Pleistocene gravel from glacial outwash. This gravel forms high benches above the Boise River.

Several normal faults run northwest through the county, parallel with the northern boundary of the western Snake River Plain. Miocene lake beds make up the foothills on the northern boundary of the county.

Quaternary basalt covers the southeastern section of the county. Miocene and Pliocene lake beds of the Glenns Ferry and Chalk Hills formation are found on the bluffs north of the Snake River.

Also see the report by Othberg and Gillerman on the geology of the Boise Valley.

P.K. Link, 10/02

Additional Reading


Rocks Rails and Trails: pages
Challis Volcanic Group & Intrusive Rocks
References on Idaho Geology

Click here to see a correlation of geologic units, and the associated time scale.

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