The Western side of the United States holds gamut of history on how geological features were formed millions of years ago. A fascinating attribute to this country would be the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Who knew the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range consisted of many unique national parks. This mountain range includes the Yosemite, Sequoia- Kings Canyon, and John Tree National Parks. Exploring the geology and tectonic setting of the Sequoia- Kings Canyon National Park will help give insight on the beautiful attractions that live within it. Comparing this park to Yosemite will show many geological differences or comparisons along their terrains.
In light of exploring the geology of Sequoia, it is home to America’s longest mountain range. I also came across its tallest Mountain known as Mount Whitney. With a height of 14,505, Mt. Whitney towers the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. This park contains over 450 million-year-old rocks. These rocks consist of ancient ocean floor sediment and submarine volcanic rocks called granitic rocks. Granitic rocks are made up of granite, diorite, and monzonite that were formed when molten rock cooled. The Sequoia also contains areas of metamorphic rocks. These rocks are fragments of volcanic islands before the Sierra Nevada Uplift. According to (NPS), ‘They include metamorphosed volcanic rocks, schist, quartzite, phyllite, and marble.’ The marble however makes up more than 270 amazing marble caves throughout the park. A beautiful attraction also seen by tourists is the Moro Rock. According to Nat. Geo. , ‘Moro Rock is a dome shaped granite monolith.’ Exfoliation is the process in which this rock is made. A constant shedding of rock layers as well as the expansion of the granite creates fractures within the process. Fractures then give results of the round dome feature. Sequoia also has the Great Western Divide, which has peaks of 11,000 feet. The Divide separates the Sequoia from Kings Canyon. Many rivers run through this park like the Kaweah, Kings, and Kern River.
As for the tectonic setting of Sequoia, it lies above an ocean continent subduction zones. The tectonic setting of this park correlates to the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range was formed. Subduction is when two plates collide and one is forced under the other resulting in the flow of ocean water under the earth’s surface. This water will climb up to scorching temperatures. The Earth’s surface starts to rise which then causes the melting point to lower around the common continental rocks. This process causes the rocks to melt. The raising of the earth’s surface created a volcanic system creating the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Sequoia also has activity of lithospheric extension though out its lifetime. Even though the volcanic system died out millions of years ago the mountain range are the remnants of this system. The mountain range is now dissected into different parks and one of which is the Sequoia- Kings Canyon National Park. As for the tectonic setting being related to the lithospheric extension in the Death Valley region it is possible. The tectonic setting of the Sequoia in comparison to lithospheric extension is similar because they both have extended the mantle. During the Neogene period rapid and large-scale extension occurred underneath the Death Valley region of California. As for Sierra Nevada (Sequoia), the extension rate was much slower. Over the course of history, the Sierra Nevada has shown more lithospheric extension than the Death Valley Region. According to Jones, ”extension near Death Valley’ localized in the crust’laterally connected to thinning of the mantle lithosphere beneath the Sierra Nevada.’ The reason for the connection is because of the uplifts of the Sierra Nevada. It’s also thought to be that the extension near the Death Valley is happening at a lower depth beneath the Sierra Nevada.
Furthermore, Yosemite and Sequoia- Kings Canyon National Parks are similar with geological features. Both of these parks have Batholiths. According to Hamilton and Myers, ” batholiths form from magmas’ in the upper mantle and lower crust” As for the location that this feature is made, the magma rises and reaches other rocks melting them together. Batholiths are composed of metamorphic Mesozoic and Paleozoic rocks as well as volcanic rocks. These rocks banded together precariously over time and eventually exposed by erosion showing the routes that fed volcanoes millions of years ago. Another fascinating geological feature both of these parks contain are the glaciers. According to Matthes, ‘…altitudinal range, about 13.100 feet, is greater than that of any other national park in the United States, south of Alaska” Glaciers form because of the low temperatures at such high altitude. According to Saaverda, ”these glaciers scoured the park's canyons enlarging and deepening the valley” Yosemite has a deep U shape valley because of the erosion of a glacier. As for Sequoia when glaciers frost and thaw continuously, fractures commonly occur. These glaciers also create hanging valleys that have waterfalls as a product of this type of erosion. Both of these parks have many rivers that developed from river erosion creating a V shape. An interesting difference between the two is the fact that Yosemite has crystallized diorite magma valley. Yosemite and Sequoia also have the same tectonic setting considering they are both apart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
In all, the fascinating geologic feathers within Yosemite and Sequoia are breathtaking. Natures art holds 450 millions worth of history. As you go deeper you learn how these geologic features came into existence by the tectonic setting that takes place. In addition to the tectonic setting, lithospheric extension can correlate with another. In my opinion the world is made up of puzzle pieces that coexist with one another. Depending on one another created the flabbergasting views we get to see today.