2010 Map of Floating Island

About this map

Floating Island rises from the salt flats of western Utah, a prominent landform surrounded by a desolate landscape of ancient lakebeds. This 2010 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey documents the eastern fringes of the Silver Island Mountains, where peaks like Cobb Peak transition into the low-lying basin. The isolation of this terrain is underscored by the presence of the International Racetrack, a feature indicative of the region's famous land-speed testing grounds. Connecting the desert topography is the primitive path of Silver Island Rd, which skirts the base of the mountains and passes near Silver Island Canyon. The map illustrates a unique intersection of extreme natural geography and specialized human use, where the dry, flat expanse of the salt desert provides a foundation for high-speed trials.