T263 Geology in the National Parks: Research, Mapping, and Resource Management

Wednesday, 7 November 2012
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
209AB

AN INVENTORY OF PROTECTED VOLCANIC PROPERTIES MANAGED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Paper number: T263-11
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 4:10 PM – 4:25 PM

Authors

Abstract

The United States (US) National Park Service (NPS) manages 397 parks and monuments in the US and several other areas (e.g. Pacific Islands, Virgin Islands). From the 1916 Organic Act, the US-NPS “purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” This means that one of the principle goals of the NPS is to preserve and protect natural places while allowing access so that they can be enjoyed by everyone. A number of these lands include prominent volcanic landforms such as Mount Rainier in Washington and Yellowstone in Wyoming/Montana. Many National Parks contain volcanic features that are less iconic, but volcanologically significant nonetheless. Many are also culturally significant; for example, Devil’s Tower, Wyoming is important to several Native American groups and many native legends are associated with this volcanic icon. Some of the volcanic parks are also listed as World Heritage sites, such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii.

The United States National Park Service is constructing an inventory of volcanic resources and hazards for managed lands, which will be integrated with a US-NPS geologic feature database. We are undertaking this inventory in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and utilizing their extensive library and knowledgeable staff. In many volcanic parks, collaboration occurs between NPS and USGS volcanic observatories, as well as with nearby academic institutions. The inventory is important in the effort to identify significant scientific and educational values, develop a program to monitor site conditions, and ensure appropriate management. It will provide park managers, interpreters and educators with summaries of the volcanic history of their parks, as well as similar parks, written in language aimed at the non-scientist. It will also provide insight into new management and teaching strategies based on what is being done in parks with similar features. The inventory will provide a better picture of the diversity of resources in parks and could identify gaps in the range of features represented within the United States National Park System.