The American system of national parks and monuments provides a natural and exciting basis for learning about geology, the scientific study of the Earth. These spectacular, diverse natural classrooms will be used to uncover the origin and variety of Earth materials, probe the dynamic processes that have produced and continue to modify internal and surficial environments over geologic time, critically examine the effects of changing patterns of land use on the natural environment, and recount the conservation efforts that have preserved these unique natural environments for future generations.

The American system of national parks and monuments provides a natural and exciting basis for learning about geology, the scientific study of the Earth. These spectacular, diverse natural classrooms will be used to uncover the origin and variety of Earth materials, probe the dynamic processes that have produced and continue to modify internal and surficial environments over geologic time, critically examine the effects of changing patterns of land use on the natural environment, and recount the conservation efforts that have preserved these unique natural environments for future generations.