From River to CanyonCurecanti and neighboring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park share a geologic makeup and history. Precambrian metamorphic basement rocks are visible from the Lake City Bridge to the Upper Black Canyon. Igneous rocks form the impressive features across the park - such as the Curecanti Needle and Dillon Pinnacles. Sedimentary rocks hold dinosaur and trace fossils. Ancient oceans, deserts, lakes, and rivers were the past environments of this area.Colorado Plateau and the Southern Rocky MountainsCurecanti National Recreation Area is situated between two physiographic provinces: the Colorado Plateau to the west and the Southern Rocky Mountains to the east. The Colorado Plateau highlights a region well known for its natural features, plateaus, buttes, deep canyons, and colorful rock layers. The Southern Rocky Mountains contain massive 14,000 ft (4,267 m) peaks, valleys, and uplifts—the result of many tectonic episodes. The West Elk Mountains lie to the north, San Juan Mountains to the southwest, and the Gunnison Valley to the east. Geologic Story
Read the chapters that make up the geologic story of Black Canyon and Curecanti. Rocks and Minerals
Learn about the types of rock and minerals found in Black Canyon and Curecanti. |
Last updated: September 23, 2024