Last updated: June 18, 2024
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NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Fort Frederica National Monument, Georgia
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
Fort Frederica National Monument (FOFR) is located along the Georgia coast on St. Simons Island, approximately 19 km (12 mi) northeast of the city of Brunswick in Glynn County. Authorized on May 26, 1936, FOFR preserves historical and archeological resources of colonial Fort Frederica to commemorate and interpret its role in American history (National Park Service 2016a). Following a 2019 expansion, FOFR encompasses contains approximately 123 hectares (305 acres). The national monument consists of two separate units: (1) the primary Fort Frederica site situated on the banks of the Frederica River; and (2) the smaller Battle of Bloody Marsh site located about 8 km (5 mi) south of the main unit. Fort Frederica was a British settlement founded by General James Edward Oglethorpe in 1736 and designed as a military outpost consisting of a fort and a town that supported military operations. Oglethorpe intended to claim the region for the British while protecting the southern boundary of the new British colony from Spanish forces based in Florida, and to this end strategically constructed the fort on St. Simons Island. Two battles between the Spanish and British occurred on St. Simons Island in 1742, including the Battle of Bloody Marsh that resulted in a British victory and ended Spain’s claim to Georgia and the Carolinas (National Park Service 2016c).
Geologic Setting
Located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic province, the regional geology surrounding FOFR consists of Quaternary-age marine terraces that record ancient shorelines. These well-developed terraces step down in age and elevation toward the Atlantic coast and developed between the Pleistocene and the present in response to sea level changes associated with glacial episodes. The geology of FOFR consists of two deposits: (1) Pleistocene Sandy Bluff Shoreline Complex deposits, consisting of unconsolidated beach sand; and (2) Holocene shoreline complex deposits, composed of unconsolidated, fine-grained sediments. These surficial deposits include bioturbated saltmarsh material and beach- to nearshore marine sand (Scott et al. 1986).
Regional Geology
Fort Frederica National Monument is a part of the Sea Island Section of the Coastal Plain Physiographic Province and shares its geologic history and some characteristic geologic formations with a region that extends well beyond park boundaries.
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 2856. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for Fort Frederica National Monument and can be found on the NPS Data Store.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 2924. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
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Fort Frederica National Monument
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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.