to the north of the uinta/cottonwood arch during the sevier orogeny there was a basement high area gently dipping to the north identified by isopach maps. thus sediment thickened quickly to the south. to the north strata changed gradually throughout the thrust and a gradual curve developed around the wyoming salient and to the south around the provo salient. the charleston and mount raymond transverse zones formed the uinta recess indicating the recess was initiated during the sevier orogeny.