Physical Environment

The Shaping of Pinnacles: Climate and Geology

The dramatic landscape of Pinnacles National Park is not only the result of powerful geologic forces but also the influence of a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cooler, wet winters. Each year, the park’s vegetation transforms as winter rains give way to rising temperatures; lush green hillsides quickly shift to golden brown. The chaparral plants, adapted to these conditions, thrive when fires sweep through, clearing space for new growth.

Seasonal streams, dry throughout the summer, swell with water during winter and spring rains, sometimes causing flooding that further shapes the terrain. These dynamic, non-living (abiotic) factors continually influence and transform the park’s landscape, creating a diverse and evolving environment.

Explore how these elements come together to shape Pinnacles National Park below.