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NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Greenbelt Park, Maryland

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.

image of park gri report cover with photo of barn and fence
In-depth geologic information is contained in the baseline inventory products of the Geologic Resources Inventory, see table below.

Geologic Setting

Situated within the Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic province located east/south of the Fall Line, the geology of National Capital Parks-East (NACE), which includes Greenbelt Park, predominantly consists of Cretaceous or younger rocks that represent partially consolidated or unconsolidated sediments shed from the Appalachian Mountains toward the Atlantic Ocean (Southworth and Denenny 2006; Thornberry-Ehrlich 2008c). The Mesozoic and Cenozoic are represented by the Cretaceous Potomac Formation and Severn Formation, Paleocene Brightseat Formation and Aquia Formation, Eocene Marlboro Clay and Nanjemoy Formation, and Miocene Calvert Formation. Younger surficial units mapped throughout NACE include Neogene–Pleistocene age terrace deposits, Pleistocene fluvial and estuarine deposits, and Holocene alluvium.

Paleontological Resources

All NPS fossil resources are protected under the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11, Title VI, Subtitle D; 16 U.S.C. §§ 470aaa - 470aaa-11).

Regional Geology

Greenbelt Park is a part 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.

Maps and Reports

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 2991. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for Greenbelt Park and can be found on the NPS Data Store.

Source: Data Store Saved Search 2990. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

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Greenbelt Park

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.


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Greenbelt Park

Last updated: July 3, 2024