Last updated: June 17, 2024
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NPS Geodiversity Atlas—American Memorial Park, Northern Mariana Islands
Geodiversity refers to the full variety of natural geologic (rocks, minerals, sediments, fossils, landforms, and physical processes) and soil resources and processes that occur in the park. A product of the Geologic Resources Inventory, the NPS Geodiversity Atlas delivers information in support of education, Geoconservation, and integrated management of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of the ecosystem.
Introduction
American Memorial Park (AMME) is located on the island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, approximately 193 km (120 mi) north of Guam. It is owned by the Government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and managed in conjunction with the NPS as an affiliated area. Established on August 18, 1978, AMME encompasses about 54 hectares (133 acres) and honors those who died during the Marianas Campaign of the Pacific Theater of World War II. The park serves as a living memorial for future generations to better understand the Marianas Campaign, the sacrifices made by American service men and women, and how the taking of the islands (Saipan, Tinian, and Guam) shaped the outcome of World War II. AMME contains recreational facilities, World War II era structures (Japanese pillboxes, fuel storage tanks, bunkers, and a carbide plant storage building), a World War II museum, and a flag monument dedicated to the more than 4,000 U.S. military personnel and local islanders who died in June 1944.
Geologic Setting
The geology of AMME consists of young, Quaternary-age marsh deposits, emerged carbonate sand deposits, and artificial fill surrounded by sedimentary rocks of the Miocene Tagpochau Limestone. Within AMME is a 12 hectare (30 acre) wetland that contains mudflats, marshes, and mangroves; this remnant habitat is now quite scarce in the Northern Marianas Islands. The wetland area of the park is home to endangered flora and fauna species such as the Nightingale Reed-warbler and is considered an important migratory bird site. Within the western park boundary of AMME is Micro Beach, one of the best white sandy beaches on Saipan that is composed predominantly of carbonate sands. Micro Beach is a significant site to the Carolinian people as it is the place where early settlers landed when they migrated to Saipan and where elders taught traditional navigational skills and burial rituals to their young (National Park Service 2017a).
The Geologic Resources Inventory produces digital geologic maps and reports for more than 270 natural resource parks. The products listed below are currently available for this park, check back often for updates as many maps, reports, and posters are still in progress.
- Scoping summaries are records of scoping meetings where NPS staff and local geologists determined the park’s geologic mapping plan and what content should be included in the report.
- Digital geologic maps include files for viewing in GIS software, a guide to using the data, and a document with ancillary map information. Newer products also include data viewable in Google Earth and online map services.
- Reports use the maps to discuss the park’s setting and significance, notable geologic features and processes, geologic resource management issues, and geologic history.
- Posters are a static view of the GIS data in PDF format. Newer posters include aerial imagery or shaded relief and other park information. They are also included with the reports.
- Projects list basic information about the program and all products available for a park.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 2678. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for American Memorial Park and can be found on the NPS Data Store.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 2692. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
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National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas
The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on geoheritage and geodiversity resources and values within the National Park System. This information supports science-based geoconservation and interpretation in the NPS, as well as STEM education in schools, museums, and field camps. The NPS Geologic Resources Division and many parks work with National and International geoconservation communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available.