THREE BILLION YEARS BENEATH YOUR FEET: GEOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL PARKS

GEOSCI 109

Course Description

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.

Prerequisties

None

Satisfies

GEOG/GEOSCI 420 , GEOSCI/GLE 627 , and GEOG/GEOSCI 320

Credits

Offered

Fall, Spring

Grade Point Average

2.16

22.62% from Historical

Completion Rate

99.1%

0.79% from Historical

A Rate

33.33%

157.58% from Historical

Class Size

111

-34.71% from Historical

2025 Fall Grade Distribution

Instructors (2025 Fall)

Sorted by ratings from Rate My Professors

Annie BAUER

[email protected]

2.5

Rating

Luke ZOET

[email protected]

Rating

Similar Courses

GEOLOGIC EVOLUTION OF THE EARTH

GEOSCI 204

Physical evolution of the earth and its relationship to the development of life through geologic time. Includes field trip.

INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES

GEOSCI 202

Introduction to recognition and mapping of geologic structures in the field. Landforms, folds, faults, tectonics, geologic maps, and field instrumentation.

HISTORY OF GEOLOGIC THOUGHT

GEOSCI/HISTSCI 514

Major concepts from earliest to modern times.

ADVANCED TOPICS IN GEOLOGY

GEOSCI 875

Special topics in Geoscience.

INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY: HOW THE EARTH WORKS

GEOSCI 100

Geologic processes; structure and history of the earth; earthquakes, volcanos, glaciers, groundwater, minerals, rocks, deserts, fossils; topographic and geologic maps; climate change on geologic and human time scales.