NEW NPS Geologic Resources of Tonto National Monument
The National Park Service (NPS) just released a 100-page, illustrated report detailing the geologic resources of the Tonto National Monument of central Arizona. Katie Kellerlynn authored the report as part of the NPS’ Geologic Resources Inventory program. A cohort of geologists with knowledge of the monument reviewed the report.
To access/download the Tonto National Monument: Geologic Resources Inventory Report. To retrieve the geospatial data and/or the Tonto National Monument map poster.
Tonto National Monument is outlined by green line.
Tonto National Monument abuts Theodore Roosevelt Lake on the southwestern edge of the Tonto Basin in Gila County, Arizona. The monument is about 90 miles from the Phoenix metropolitan area, a two-hour drive on paved road. Visitors are drawn to the monument to see cliff dwellings of the Salado culture, which flourished here from 1150 CE to the 15th century.
From KellerLynn’s report, ‘The monument was one of the first national monuments designated under the Antiquities Act of 1906. On 19 December 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt signed Presidential Proclamation 787, which established the monument, protecting “two prehistoric ruins of ancient cliff dwellings” and one section of land upon which these ruins were located.’
Geologic mapping by Arizona Geological Survey (1999) geoscientists Jon Spencer, Steve Richard, Charles Ferguson and W.G. Gilbert form the backbone of the geology here - see the Poster below References. The Geologic Resource Management section (p. 31-45) addresses geologic hazards that threaten monument features.
The Cited Literature and Additional Resources sections (p. 55-65) are exhaustive and include links (URLs) to online materials. Those interested in the Monument would benefit greatly from reading this report.
References
- KellerLynn, K. 2020. Tonto National Monument: geologic resources inventory report. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/GRD/NRR—2020/2212. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.
- Spencer, J. E., and S. M. Richard. 1999. Geologic map and report for the Theodore Roosevelt Dam area, Gila and Maricopa Counties, Arizona (scale 1:24,000). Open-File Report OFR-99-06. Arizona Geological Survey, Tucson, Arizona.
- Spencer, J. E., S. M. Richard, C. A. Ferguson, and W. G. Gilbert. 1999. Preliminary bedrock geologic map and cross sections of the Windy Hill 7.5’ quadrangle, Gila County, Arizona (scale 1:24,000). Open-File Report OFR-99-12. Arizona Geological Survey, Tucson, Arizona.
