Last updated: July 10, 2024
Article
NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Mojave National Preserve, California
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
Mojave National Preserve (MOJA) is located approximately 75 km (47 mi) southwest of the Las Vegas metropolitan area in San Bernardino County, southern California. Established on October 31, 1994, MOJA preserves 624,325 hectares (1,542,742 acres) of diverse natural and cultural resources of the Mojave Desert, including wildlife, mountain ranges, and remnants of historic mining, ranching, and railroad activities (Anderson 2017). MOJA is home to canyons, mesas, mountains, sand dunes, ephemeral lakes, cinder cone volcanoes, and a large Joshua tree forest. The topography of MOJA is dominated by numerous mountain ranges, and the preserve is approximately bisected by the SW–NE trending chain of Providence Mountains, Mid Hills, and New York Mountains. It also surrounds smaller Castle Mountains National Monument (CAMO) on three sides. CAMO was authorized February 12, 2016 and protects 8.470 hectares (20,920 acres) of the Castle Mountains and surrounding valleys.
Geologic Setting
The geologic record in Mojave National Preserve is extensive, with units ranging in age from Paleoproterozoic (2.5 to 1.7 billion years ago) to the Quaternary. A thick sequence of Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic strata is present in MOJA. The Mesozoic of MOJA is marked by igneous rocks, signaling the development of an active western plate margin (Dunne 1977). During the Neogene and Quaternary igneous activity renewed, particularly in the form of the Cima volcanic field (Farmer et al. 1995).
Regional Geology
Mojave National Preserve 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 3017. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for Mojave National Preserve and can be found on the NPS Data Store.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 3064. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Related Links
Related Articles
Mojave National Preserve
Loading results...
Tags:
geodiversity geologic geologic forces geologic resources geologic feature geologic time geologic layers geologic history geologic formations geology geological geological maps geologist geology talk geology hike geology science and learning geologists geology close up geologic resources inventory geoheritage geohazards geomorphology geoscientists in parks geoscientists-in-the-parks geological survey geothermal geothermal activity geotour geotourism geothermal processes & features fossils paleontology caves karst glaciers geoheritage sites earthquakes landslides mining
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.