Last updated: July 17, 2024
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NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Tuzigoot National Monument, Arizona
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
Tuzigoot National Monument (TUZI) is located on the Verde River about 58 km (36 mi) southwest of Flagstaff in Yavapai County, Arizona. Proclaimed on July 25, 1939, TUZI contains approximately 328 hectares (812 acres) and was established to preserve the outstanding archeological resources of the Sinagua culture, including the ruins of a large hilltop pueblo and related historic and prehistoric sites, artifacts, and the ecologically sensitive Tavasci Marsh (National Park Service 2016h). The Tuzigoot (Apache word meaning “crooked water”) pueblo is situated along the crest of a hill overlooking the meandering Verde River and represents the remains of a large, multi-storied village (KellerLynn 2019b). The excavation of TUZI’s hilltop pueblo has yielded some of the largest artifact assemblages of the Sinagua culture in the Verde Valley dated between 1100 and 1450 CE. Tavasci Marsh, the largest freshwater marsh in Arizona outside of the Colorado River system, supports a diverse biological community that has provided inhabitants with plant and animal resources for edible, medicinal, and utilitarian purposes since prehistoric times.
Geologic Setting
Tuzigoot National Monument is situated in the Verde Valley in a transition zone between the Basin and Range and Colorado Plateau physiographic provinces (KellerLynn 2019b). The bedrock geology of TUZI consists entirely of sedimentary deposits of the Miocene–Pliocene Verde Formation. The Tuzigoot pueblo is built upon a ridgeline composed of lacustrine deposits of the Verde Formation that topographically sits above the adjacent Verde Valley. The surrounding landscape of TUZI has been heavily impacted by the Verde River and is draped by Quaternary terrace deposits and river wash. Careful inspection of the geologic map of TUZI shows that Pecks Lake and part of Tavasci Marsh occupy a former meander of the Verde River (marked by terrace deposits) that has since been abandoned due to continuous channel incision.
Geologic Features and Processes
Tuzigoot National Monument is situated along a ridge on the eroded Verde Formation. The ancestral and present-day Verde River created the floodplain and deposited the terraces upon which the ruins are situated. Tavasci Marsh—one of the largest marshes in Arizona—and Peck’s Lake are the remains of an abandoned meander of the Verde River. Tavasci Marsh is on the outside of the meander and Peck’s Lake is a cutoff “oxbow” lake.
The major geologic components of the Verde Valley are:
- Basin sediments
- Lacustrine, swamp, and playa deposits of the Verde Formation
- Uplifted Paleozoic sedimentary rocks
Regional Geology
Tuzigoot National Monument is a part of the Basin and Range 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 3186. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has not been started for Tuzigoot National Monument. General information can be found on the NPS Data Store.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 3211. 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.