Last updated: July 15, 2024
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NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Redwood National Park and State Parks, 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
Redwood National and State Parks is located in the western Klamath Mountains approximately 18 km (11 mi) south of the California–Oregon border in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, northwestern California. Established on October 2, 1968, REDW protects approximately 56,251 hectares (138,999 acres) of vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild riverways, coastal redwood forests with virgin groves of ancient trees, and nearly 56 km (35 mi) of rugged, scenic Pacific coastline (Anderson 2017). The North Coast region that is home to REDW is one of the most seismically active regions of the United States, experiencing frequent earthquakes and rapid uplift rates that have led to landslides, shifting rivers, and rapid coastal erosion. The park supports rich biodiversity and was designated a World Heritage Site on September 2, 1980 (Anderson 2017).
Geologic Setting
The geology of Redwood National and State Parks is predominantly composed of the Jurassic–Cretaceous Franciscan Complex, an accretionary (material tectonically added to an existing landmass) assemblage of rocks that have been sheared and uplifted from the ocean floor as a result of plate tectonic processes (Bero et al. 2020). Younger units of the park include the Miocene St. George Formation, Wimer Formation, Pliocene–Pleistocene Prairie Creek Formation, Pleistocene marine terrace deposits, and the late Pleistocene Battery Formation. The three large river systems within REDW (Smith River, Klamath River, and Redwood Creek) have eroded down through the bedrock to form deep gorges through the forest and mountainous terrain. In the southern section of the park, Redwood Creek follows the trace of the Grogan Fault in a northwest direction. The river basin is long and narrow with many small, steep tributaries.
Regional Geology
Redwood National and State Parks are a part of the Pacific Border 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 3154. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for Redwood National Park and State Parks and can be found on the NPS Data Store.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 3105. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
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Redwood National Park and State Parks
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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.