Introduction

A parking lot near eroding cliffs, Ocean Beach, Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

The National Park Service (NPS) relies heavily on US Geological Survey scientists for geologic maps and topical research focused on natural resources and geologic hazards. The “Geology of National Parks” project is one of several in the USGS Geologic Discipline that provide geologic information to NPS resource managers. The project supports the development of geologic maps, scientific reports, and interpretive products requested by individual park units, the NPS Geologic Resources Division, and the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program. Project members collaborate with NPS in their inventories of geologic mapping, identification of monitoring needs, and presentation of training workshops. Funding for this project is provided by the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program, USGS Office of the Chief Scientist for Geology, and the National Park Service.