THREE BILLION YEARS BENEATH YOUR FEET: GEOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL PARKS
Famously called "America's best idea", the National Parks of the US record two-thirds of Earth's history, from the most ancient mountains to active volcanic eruptions. The geologic story of the National Parks is explored in the framework of physiography, tectonics, time, and fundamental geologic processes, highlighting the major parks from Hawaii, to Alaska, to the conterminous US. Provides a view of the geological evolution of the Earth using specific examples.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: None Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Physical Science Level - Elementary L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify basic geologic concepts, including mineral and rock groups, geologic time, the geologic record of life, geologic structures, and plate tectonics. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Identify the physiographic provinces of the US and how these are related to broad geologic and climatic factors. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Compare the variety of tectonic processes that produce different mountain belts of the US, such as the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, Rockies, and Appalachians and how this affects the landscapes of the National Parks in these regions. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Contrast the effects of recent and long-term climate change on the landscapes of the US, using specific National Parks as examples. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Describe the interactions between humans and the environment in several physiographic provinces that host national parks and evaluate the current and future environmental challenges faced by organisms living in these regions. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify basic geologic concepts, including mineral and rock groups, geologic time, the geologic record of life, geologic structures, and plate tectonics. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Identify the physiographic provinces of the US and how these are related to broad geologic and climatic factors. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Compare the variety of tectonic processes that produce different mountain belts of the US, such as the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, Rockies, and Appalachians and how this affects the landscapes of the National Parks in these regions. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Contrast the effects of recent and long-term climate change on the landscapes of the US, using specific National Parks as examples. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Describe the interactions between humans and the environment in several physiographic provinces that host national parks and evaluate the current and future environmental challenges faced by organisms living in these regions. Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027