Course Description
Geological features of selected national parks used as type examples for understanding rock forming processes (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic) and orogenic processes. Exploitation of mineral resources in and around national parks and conflicts that ensue.
Athena Title
NAT PARKS
Non-Traditional Format
May also be taught as part of domestic field study programs or Study Abroad. Relevant field observations, discussions and projects are combined with the traditional content.
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The National Parks and National Monuments of the U.S. include some of the most spectacular and unique geological features in the world. In this class students will capitalize on this fact and use the National Parks as a way of enhancing their understanding of how the Earth works. Because most National Parks are easily accessible, students will have many opportunities to visit them, and will be able to have a solid understanding of geological concepts even if they are not geology majors. Evaluation will be by means of writtent tests and preparation and presentation of a research paper.
Topical Outline
Geologic processes and geologic time Geology of Western North America The Colorado Plateau: Grand Canyon NP The Colorado Plateau: Canyonlands, Arches & Capitol Reef NP The Colorado Plateau: Petrified Forest and Bryce Canyon NP The Colorado Plateau: Mesa Verde NP Concepts of Plate Tectonics The Rocky Mountains: Glacier NP The Rocky Mountains: Grand Teton NP The Basin and Range: Great Basin National Park The Basin and Range: Death Valley National Park The Basin and Range: Big Bend National Park Heat in the Earth Intraplate volcanism: Yellowstone NP Intraplate volcanism: Craters of the Moon NM Intraplate volcanism: Hawaii Volcanoes NP How subduction zones work Cascadia subduction zone: Mount Rainier NP Cascadia subduction zone: Mt. St. Helen's National Monument Cascadia subduction zone: Crater Lake NP Geology of the ocean basins Cascadia subduction zone: Olympic NP Cascadia subduction zone: North Cascades NP Disected magmatic arcs: Yosemite, Sequoia and King's Canyon NP