National Park Service - Geologic Resources

Geologic Resources
Geologic Resources of the National Parks range from the world renowned sculptured depths of Grand Canyon National Park to the ancient fossils of Dinosaur National Monument. Geologic resources are inspiring to behold and form the foundation of park ecosystems. Understanding geologic features and the dynamic processes that affect them is essential to understanding the natural world.

Geoscientists-in-the-Parks Jobs
Learn about opportunities in geologic research, education, and resource management in the National Parks.

National Cave and Karst Research Institute

The National Cave and Karst Research Institute facilitates speleological research, enhances public education, and promotes environmentally sound cave and karst management.

Teacher Resources

A site for educational resources and links for teaching geology with National Park examples.

Tour of Park Geology
Explore National Park Caves, Fossils, Glaciers, Hot Springs, Sand Dunes, Shorelines, Volcanoes, and more.
Tour
Geologic Wonders

Disturbed Lands Restoration
Many park sites have been disturbed by mining or other human activities. Parks work aggressively to restore natural function to these sites.
Disturbed Lands
Abandoned Mineral Lands

Geologic Resource Evaluation Program
The GRE Program is an on-going inventory that provides parks with a digital geologic map, a geologic evaluation report, and a geologic bibliography.
Maps
Geologic Inventory

Adjacent Mineral and Energy Development
The National Park Service has aggressively pursued protection of its resources from adjacent mineral development by attempting to coordinate mineral planning and permitting by adjacent land managers.
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Minerals Management
A variety of rights to explore and extract minerals exist in and near park units. Management of mineral development to prevent or mitigate adverse effects on park resources and values presents complex challenges to the NPS.
Mining
Oil and Gas

Padre Island National Seashore, TX

DID YOU KNOW?
Each of the three basic rock types was used in the construction of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC; igneous granite is found in the base and lower steps of the memorial, the floor and statue of President Lincoln are made of metamorphic marble, and the interior columns and walls are composed of sedimentary limestone.
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