Round Mountain (Grand County, Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Round Mountain |
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Round Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,185 ft (1,885 m) |
| Prominence | 705 ft (215 m) |
| Geography | |
 Round Mountain
Location in Utah
Round Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Location | Grand County, Utah United States |
| Parent range | Colorado Plateau |
| Topo map | USGS Warner Lake |
| Type of rock | Gray hornblende plagioclase trachyte |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scrambling class 3 |
Round Mountain is a cool natural landmark in Utah, USA. It's a mountain that looks like a big, round hill. It stands tall in a place called Castle Valley. This unique mountain is an interesting part of the Colorado Plateau region.
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About Round Mountain
Round Mountain is a small peak, about 6,185 feet (1,885 meters) high. It's made of a special gray rock called trachyte. This mountain is located in southeastern Grand County, Utah. It's about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east-northeast of a town called Moab.
How Round Mountain Was Formed
Round Mountain is what scientists call an "extinct bysmalith." This is a fancy name for an igneous volcanic plug. Imagine a volcano that was once active a very long time ago. When the volcano stopped erupting, magma (melted rock) sometimes hardened inside its vent or under the ground.
Over millions of years, the softer rock around this hardened magma wore away. This process, called Erosion, left the harder volcanic plug standing tall. Round Mountain rises about 700 feet (213 meters) above the valley floor. It's like a giant, ancient cork left behind by a volcano!
Water Flow Around the Mountain
When it rains or snows on Round Mountain, the water flows down its sides. This water, called runoff, eventually drains into Castle Creek. Castle Creek is a smaller stream that flows into the mighty Colorado River. So, the water from Round Mountain eventually joins one of the most famous rivers in the United States!
Nearby Peaks
Round Mountain isn't alone in this area. The closest taller peak is Castleton Tower. This famous rock formation is about 1.42 miles (2.29 kilometers) southwest of Round Mountain. Both are popular spots for outdoor adventures in Utah.
