NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Appalachian National Scenic Trail, CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, and WV

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.

Geologic Features and Processes

[Coming Soon]

Regional Geology

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail passes through 14 states and several different Physiographic Provinces. The trail shares its geologic history and some characteristic geologic formations with a region that extends well beyond park boundaries. The southern portion of the travels the axis of the Blue Ridge Province with views and trail dipping into the Valley and Ridge, and Piedmont Provinces. The Northern portion of the trail passes through the New England Physiographic Province.

Maps and Reports

Geologic Resources Inventory

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 2707. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Soil Resources inventory

A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been started for Appalachian National Scenic Trail and can be found on the NPS Data Store.

Source: Data Store Saved Search 2697. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Related Links

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail—Park Home

• NPS—Geologic Time
• NPS—Explore Regional Geology
• NPS—Geology

• Association of American State Geologists

Related Articles

• NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
• NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina and Virginia
• NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
• NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland
• NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Washington D.C., Maryland, and West Virginia
• NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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.

For more information on the NPS Geodiversity Atlas, contact us.