The far horizon

A lively recreational jewel

A flood of trivia

Great tales surrounding the lake

TODAY

Ecosystem under threat

Lake has impact on weather

Small island is a refuge for birds

Islands in the salt

Lake defines geology of northern Utah

Great Salt Lake timeline

THE FUTURE

Looking ahead

Lake pumps still waiting for flood

Myriad firms thrive off lake

Dike it, dye it, blow a hole in it

Is plan for lake great?

• The islands of the Great Salt Lake are believed to have been formed by earthquakes that elevated blocks of the earth's crust between faults running across the bed of the lake. These blocks, called grabens, are partly submerged. Their higher points form eight true islands that cease to be islands during the lake's low water periods.

• Some of the oldest and youngest rocks in the Great Salt Lake area may be found on Antelope Island. The very oldest rocks on the island are believed to date from the Middle Precambrian period, 1,580 million years ago. The youngest rocks date from the Quaternary period and are relative whippersnappers at 10,000 to 2.5 million years old.

• Except for Antelope, which has numerous springs and is large enough to have supported a ranch, the islands of the lake have been largely uninhabited. Some of the smaller islands serve as bird rookeries.

• The largest islands are Antelope, 23,175 acres; Stansbury, 22,324 acres; Fremont, 2,945 acres; and Carrington, 1,767 acres. Other islands range in size from less than an acre to 163 acres.

• The highest point on the islands is Stansbury Peak, which is 6,645 feet above sea level on Stansbury Island. Frary Peak, the highest point on Antelope Island, is 6,596 feet above sea level.