Mojave National PreservePage 6 of 24
NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Mojave National Preserve, 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.
Cinder Cone National Natural Landmark in Mojave National Preserve, California.
Introduction
Mojave National Preserve (MOJA) is located approximately 75 km (47 mi) southwest of the Las Vegas metropolitan area in San Bernardino County, southern California. Established on October 31, 1994, MOJA preserves 624,325 hectares (1,542,742 acres) of diverse natural and cultural resources of the Mojave Desert, including wildlife, mountain ranges, and remnants of historic mining, ranching, and railroad activities (Anderson 2017). MOJA is home to canyons, mesas, mountains, sand dunes, ephemeral lakes, cinder cone volcanoes, and a large Joshua tree forest. The topography of MOJA is dominated by numerous mountain ranges, and the preserve is approximately bisected by the SW–NE trending chain of Providence Mountains, Mid Hills, and New York Mountains. It also surrounds smaller Castle Mountains National Monument (CAMO) on three sides. CAMO was authorized February 12, 2016 and protects 8.470 hectares (20,920 acres) of the Castle Mountains and surrounding valleys.
Geologic Setting
The geologic record in Mojave National Preserve is extensive, with units ranging in age from Paleoproterozoic (2.5 to 1.7 billion years ago) to the Quaternary. A thick sequence of Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic strata is present in MOJA. The Mesozoic of MOJA is marked by igneous rocks, signaling the development of an active western plate margin (Dunne 1977). During the Neogene and Quaternary igneous activity renewed, particularly in the form of the Cima volcanic field (Farmer et al. 1995).
Regional Geology
Mojave National Preserve is a part of the Basin and Range Physiographic Province and shares its geologic history and some characteristic geologic formations with a region that extends well beyond park boundaries.
Maps and Reports
Geologic Resources Inventory
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: NPS DataStore Saved Search 3017. To search for additional information, visit the NPS DataStore.
Soil Resources inventory
A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for Mojave National Preserve and can be found on the NPS Data Store.
Source: NPS DataStore Saved Search 3064. To search for additional information, visit the NPS DataStore.
Outcrop and Joshua Trees on Cima Dome, Mojave National Preserve, California.
Related Links
NPS—Arid and Semi-arid Region Landforms
Related Articles
Mojave National Preserve
- Cenozoic Era — The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths.
- Volcanic Domes — Lava domes are steep-sided rounded accumulations of highly viscous silicic lava over a vent. Some domes are part of composite volcanoes, but large ones can make up their own volcanoes. Lassen Peak is a dome.
- Lava Flow Forms — Young lava flows also have structures and textures that reveal information about their eruptions. Basaltic lava flows come in two major forms: Pāhoehoe and ‘A‘ā.
- Desert Varnish — Ever wondered what those dark lines were on the rock walls of canyon country? These black, brown, and red streaks are called desert varnish.
- Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 15, No. 2, Fall 2023 — All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. Park Paleontology news provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the newsletter editorLearn more about Fossils & Paleontology Celebrate National Fossil Day with events across the nation
- Mojave National Preserve Paleontological Resource Inventory — Mojave National Preserve in the Mojave Desert of southeastern California holds a lengthy paleontological record spanning more than 550 million years. A paleontological resource inventory has recently been published for the preserve, documenting this history. Some highlights from the Cambrian, middle Paleozoic, and Miocene are presented here.
- Studying the Past and Predicting the Future Using Rat Nests — In the western United States, packrat middens are one of the best tools for reconstructing recent environments and climates. These accumulations of plant fragments, small vertebrate remains, rodent droppings, and other fossils can be preserved for more than 50,000 years. Packrat middens have been found in at least 41 National Park Service units.
- Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 14, No. 2, Fall 2022 — All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. Park Paleontology news provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the newsletter editorLearn more about Fossils & Paleontology Celebrate National Fossil Day with events across the nation
- Pyroclastic Flows and Ignimbrites, and Pyroclastic Surges — Pyroclastic flows and surges are among the most awesome and most destructive of all volcanic phenomena. Pyroclastic flow deposits are found in at least 21 units of the National Park System.
- Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils — The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian.
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.
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