Capital Reef National Park & The Waterpocket Fold

Capital Reef National Park and the Waterpocket Fold (also known as the Kaibab Monocline) formed a part of the Laramide flat slab subduction process. Its stratigraphy is similar to Canyonlands National Park and the San Rafael Swell. Structural features are similar to the San Rafael Swell in the form of faults, fractures, joints, and deformation banding along with specific patterns associated with these structural features. Navajo Sandstone, Kayenta Formation, Wingate Sandstone, Chinle Formation, Moenkopi Formation, and Cutler Sandstone are the most common geologic units exposed in the park.

Chapter 1 offers a geologic history of the Capital Reef area and a summary of primary depositional sediments exposed in the park. Chapter 2 presents greater details on the park's stratigraphy. Chapter 3 presents a publication from Stanford University on structural faulting of the Waterpocket Fold. Chapter 4 ends the discussion with the most prevalent structural features present within and surrounding the park.