GEOL 120: GEOLOGY OF NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS
Have you ever marveled at photographs or videos of the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, the soaring height of Half Dome in Yosemite, the geysers of Yellowstone, the clear blue waters of Crater Lake, or the columns of Devil’s Tower? Many of our National Parks and National Monuments were designated for protection because of their unique geology and others because of how their geology plays a role, along with climate and water movement, on their ecosystems. In this course you will explore some distinguishing geologic features of select National Parks, how they were formed, and address questions such as:
• Why is Death Valley the hottest place on Earth?
• What processes formed the steep cliffs and waterfalls of Yosemite National Park?
• Will the supervolcano under Yellowstone erupt soon?
• What about the geology made the alcoves of Mesa Verde especially livable in a hot, dry environment?
• Why is there is a boundary between two deserts in Joshua Tree National Park?
• What is cave bacon?
• How does park geology affect wildlife?