New Observations and Interpretations of White Pocket, Paria Plateau, AZ - Geology Lecture - 3/18/26

The Geology of White Pocket, Paria Plateau, AZ - New Observations and Interpretations

White Pocket, Arizona, located on the Paria Plateau, is the ultimate outdoor classroom for studying the Navajo Sandstone. This iconic rock formation, which dominates much of the landscape in Snow Canyon State Park, Zion National Park, and beyond, was originally deposited in a vast desert environment, indicating that the climate during its formation was predominantly arid.

However, White Pocket stands apart from other Navajo Sandstone exposures. This uniqueness results from a combination of two key factors: (1) localized climate variations and (2) seismic activity caused by regional tectonic forces. Together, these influences shaped a landscape unlike anything else found within the Navajo Sandstone at this scale..
Furthermore, recent analysis using publicly available drone footage has led to an entirely new interpretation of what makes this area so distinct..

Come explore this breathtaking terrain and gain insights into the geologic methods used to synthesize observations into an entirely new interpretation—one that reveals why White Pocket is truly one of a kind.

Bio about Lecturer - Marc Deshowitz
Marc, originally from the Boston area, pursued graduate studies in Geology before beginning a nearly 30-year career with Shell Oil Company. After decades of visiting southern Utah, he and his wife, Chrystal, decided to leave the Gulf Coast region to settle in Ivins, Utah.

Both Marc and Chrystal worked with Road Scholar, leading educational expeditions across the Colorado Plateau and beyond for about 10 years. In addition to his time with Road Scholar, Marc spent many years as a consultant to the energy sector and continues to provide educational experiences for Road Scholar participants today.

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