Geology of National Parks

The National Parks of the United States preserve our nation's iconic landscapes and some of the finest examples of geologic heritage. From glaciers to caves, volcanoes to canyons, or mountains to coral reefs, the nation's geologic features and landforms have been an important part of the American experience throughout its history. The geologic features found in our national parks are a testimony to the Earth's complexity and dynamic nature; a planet that has been in a continuous state of change since its origin 4.6 billion years ago. The landscapes and awe inspiring geological features we observe in the national parks are merely snapshots in time as Earth continues its course of change as the result of interactions among the planet's many internal and external processes. The landforms and geologic structures within our national parks have a story to tell about an area's geologic history and tectonic setting. Geology of National Parks teaches how to recognize landforms and rock formations within a national park; thus, students will begin to read and interpret the geologic story behind the scenery which extends to scenery beyond the parks to their own backyard. Students will also recognize that the plant and animal communities in an area along with the human history are linked to the landforms through the habitat, resources and shelter they provide. Geology of National Parks: presents the basic elements of physical geology. features two new parks in this edition: Congaree National Park and Pinnacles National Park. Geology of National Parks features five parts: Scenery Developed by Weathering and Erosion on Flay-Lying Rocks Caves and Reefs Landscapes Shaped by Continental and Alpine Glaciation Volcanic Features and Volcanic Activity Landscapes and Structures in Areas of Complex Mountains This edition features 59 National Parks and each has a dedicated chapter within these categories.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgements Part I    Scenery Developed by Weathering and Erosion on Flay-Lying Rocks Grand Canyon National Park Zion National Park Bryce Canyon National Park Capital Reef National Park Canyonlands National Park Arches National Park Mesa Verde National Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Petrified Forest National Park Badlands National Park Theodore Roosevelt National Park Kobuk Valley National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Cuyahoga Valley National Park Congaree National Park Part II   Caves and Reefs Mammoth Cave National Park Wind Cave National Park Carlsbad Caverns National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park Virgin Islands National Park Everglades National Park Biscayne National Park Dry Tortugas National Park Part III  Landscapes Shaped by Continental and Alpine Glaciation Voyageurs National Park Isle Royale National Park Acadia National Park Rocky Mountain National Park Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve Yosemite National Park North Cascades National Park Olympic National Park Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve Kenai Fjords National Park Denali National Park & Preserve Part IV  Volcanic Features and Volcanic Activity Mount Rainier National Park Crater Lake National Park Lassen Volcanic National Park Katmai National Park & Preserve Lake Clark National Park & Preserve Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Haleakala National Park The National Park of American Samoa Yellowstone National Park Part V   Landscapes and Structures in Areas of Complex Mountains Grand Teton National Park Great Basin National Park Saguaro National Park Joshua Tree National Park Death Valley National Park Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Channel Islands National Park Redwood National Park Hot Springs National Park Big Bend National Park Shenandoah National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Pinnacles National Park