Geology and National Parks with an Ohio Perspective

Preface

Chapter 1 Introduction to Geology
What Is Geology and Why Study it?
So, What Is Science?
Landforms versus Landscapes
National Park Systems: Brief History
Classification of National Parks
Problems in the National Parks
Earth’s Internal and External Sources of Energy
The Internal Structure of the Earth
Review Questions
Activities:
1: How Well Do You Know Your US Geography?
2: How Well Do You Know Ohio?

Chapter 2 Overview of Plate Tectonics and Geologic Structures
Historical Development of Plate Tectonics
Driving Force of Plate Tectonics
Plate Boundaries: Divergent, Convergent, and Transform
Plate Tectonics Theory in a Nutshell
West Coast of North America
Mantle Plume and Hot Spots
Geologic Structures: Folds and Faults
The Coordination of External and Internal Processes
Review Questions
Activity:
Rate of Plate Tectonic Movement

Chapter 3 Minerals and Rocks
Mineral versus Rock
Crustal Abundance of Elements
The Rock Cycle
Igneous Rocks
Plate Tectonics and Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Environment of Deposition of Sedimentary Rocks
Various Sedimentary Environments
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphism and Plate Tectonics
Review Questions
Activities:
1: Minerals and their Uses
2: Rock Cycle

Chapter 4 Weathering, Erosion, and Mass Wasting
Weathering
Physical (Mechanical) Weathering
Chemical weathering
Erosion
Mass Wasting/Mass Movement
Mass Wasting and National Parks
Review Questions

Chapter 5 Geology and Time: Understanding What It Is and How It Is Used
The Beginning of Geologic Time
Creating a Timescale Using Relative Dating Principles (Laws) of Geology
Correlation of Rock Layers
Realization that the Geologic Record Is Not Complete
What Are Unconformities?
Recognizing Unconformities
Assembling the Geologic Timescale
Reconstructing Geologic History of a National Park
Review Questions

Chapter 6 Category IV: Landscapes Created by Magmatic or Volcanic Activity
Parks and their Plate Tectonic Setting
What Is a Volcano?
Volcanic Activity Produces Many Different Landforms
Yellowstone National Park (Northwest Wyoming, Eastern Idaho, Southern Montana) - America's First National Park
American Samoa National Park
Mount Rainier National Park and the Volcanoes of the Cascade Range
Chapter Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 7 Category I: Scenery Developed by Weathering and Erosion on Flat-Lying Rocks
National Parks their Location
What Similarities Link the Category I Parks?
Largest Number of Parks that are Geologically Related Are in Category I
The Colorado Plateau Physiographic Province
The National Parks of Category I
Sea Transgression and Sea Regression and the Grand Canyon's Geology
A Transgression and Regression Example in the Grand Canyon
The Grand Staircase Parks - Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon
Arches National Park (Southeast Utah)
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Final Thoughts on Category I National Parks
Review Questions

Chapter 8 Category V: Landscapes and Structures in Areas of Complex Mountains
Mountains: How Are They Formed?
Mountain Ranges and Mountain Belts
The Western North American Cordillera Is Composed of a Series of Ranges
Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks are related to mountain forming
National Parks Featured from Category V: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hot Springs National Park
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Review Questions

Chapter 9 Category II: Caves and Reefs
Karst Topography
Karst Terrain
Is it a Cave or Cavern?
Solution or Karst Caves
The Karst Process
Chemical Reactions
The Role of Groundwater in Karst Formation
Where are Caves and Caverns Located in the United States?
Rocks of Category II National Parks
Ohio Caverns Located Near West Liberty in Champaign County, Ohio
National Parks Featuring Caves or Caverns
Carlsbad Cavern National Parks in New Mexico and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks in West Texas
Carlsbad Cavern National Park in Southeastern New Mexico
Wind Cave National Park
National Parks with Living or Fossil Reefs Guadalupe Mountains National Park in West Texas
Everglades National Park, Southern Florida
Biscayne Bay National Park Southeastern Florida
Virgin Islands National Park, on St. John's U.S. Virgin Islands
Review Questions

Chapter 10 Category III: Landscapes Shaped by Alpine or Continental Glaciers
Glaciers and Ice on Earth is Not Limited to Today
Some Final Thoughts on Ohio’s Glacial History
Review Questions