The Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake is also rich in geology, with a variety of features that are unique to the area. The lake's south shore is composed of salt flats and mudflats which were formed when water levels dropped due to the evaporation process. The lake's north shore is made up of rocky cliffs and towering bluffs created by the continual erosion of sedimentary rock. On the lake's east side, visitors will find a variety of salt mines and crystal formations which are home to some of the rarest minerals in the world.

Great Salt Lake State Park in Salt Lake City, Utah is a haven for wildlife, with over 300 species of birds, including the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and great blue heron. The lake is also home to many mammals such as badgers, beavers and muskrats. Additionally, the park is home to numerous reptiles and amphibians including the western painted turtle, spadefoot toad and tiger salamander. One of the most well-known creatures that live in the Great Salt Lake is the brine shrimp, a small shrimp-like creature. With over 50 million pounds of these creatures being harvested, the Great Salt Lake is responsible for nearly half of the supply of brine shrimp in the world. Not only is brine shrimp responsible for 70 to 100 million dollars worth of money annually for the fishing industry, they are great food for fish and shellfish that are then raised for human consumption.