Cretaceous Geology: Places
This page was written by Jen Aschoff as part of the DLESE Community Services Project: Integrating Research in Education.
Cretaceous strata exposed in the Book Cliffs near Green River, Utah. Details
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Places to see Cretaceous Geology
Resources containing photos and descriptions of places to see Cretaceous Geology.
Show me information about places to see Cretaceous geology
Hide- Introduction to the Cretaceous Geology of Texas and Other States. The goal of this site is to form a database for Cretaceous rocks of North America. The site provides a discussion of Cretaceous stratigraphy with maps and cross sections that illustrate Cretaceous formations of Texas and an extensive bibliography for additional information. Diagrams and discussions of Cretaceous geology in several states can also be accessed by clicking on the appropriate state in the navigation bar to the left. (more info)
- Touring Colorado Geology. This site is a portal to several online tours throughout Colorado. An array of rock types, stratigraphic units, paleoenvironments, structural geology, archeological sites and landscapes are discussed in the tours. Tours include the Red Rocks area, Cave of the Winds, Mesa Verde National Park, Pikes Peak, Parfet Prehistoric Preserve, Dinosaur Ridge, Garden of the Gods, Colorado National Monument, Rocky Mountain National Park and Dinosaur National Monument. ( This site is likely no longer available. )
- Touring Colorado Geology: Parfet Prehistoric Preserve. This site contains several outcrop photos of the Upper Cretaceous Laramie Formation from the Parfet Prehistoric Preserve. Exceptionally-preserved, 70 Million year-old dinosaur tracks, palm frond impressions and raindrop impressions are featured on this site. Specific topics include Cretaceous climate, vertebrates, ceratopsian and hadrosaur footprints, burrows, mudrock, sandstone and cast formation. Additional information and photographs are obtained by clicking on the top page photos. ( This site is likely no longer available. )
- Virtual Field Trip to the Austin Chalk Group. This virtual field trip explores the Upper Cretaceous, Austin Chalk Group and provides visitors with an understanding of the geology of central Texas. Visitors can access information about any formation within the Austin Chalk Group by clicking on a portion of the stratigraphic column. Descriptions, photographs, fossil content and environmental interpretations of each unit are provided. Specific topics include the geology of central Texas, Atco Formation, Vinson Chalk, Jonah Formation, Dessau Chalk, Burditt Marl, Pflugerville Formation and the historical development of regional stratigraphic nomenclature. ( This site is likely no longer available. )
Cretaceous Geology in the Parks
Resources describing Cretaceous geology in National Parks.
- Geology Fieldnotes: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. Located on the Colorado Plateau in Utah, this canyon is comprised mostly of sedimentary rocks, and continues to be eroded and shaped by the Paria River. Its geologic and human history are outlined on this site, including the formation of the canyon, from the Cretaceous period (144 million years ago) to the present, and geologic features, such as fins, columns, pinnacles, and hoodoos. Visitor information, links to other resources, maps, and a teacher feature (resources for teaching geology with National Park examples) are also available. (more info)
- Geology Fieldnotes: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. This Capitol Reef National Park site contains park geology information, park maps, photographs, visitor information, and a teacher feature (resources for teaching geology with National Park examples). Geologic data includes descriptions of the Waterpocket Fold, a monocline formed in the Laramide Orogeny and made of sedimentary rock. Also covered is erosion, and details about the Cathedral Valley outcrop of gypsum. This formation is Permian to Cretaceous in age (270-80 million years old). (more info)
- Geology Fieldnotes: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. This National Park Service resource includes information about geology, park maps, visitor information, photographs, and links to other sites about this park. Geologic information spans the entire history of the park, beginning 2.5 billion years ago (Precambrian) to the present. Details about the different rock types and their formation, mountain building through plate tectonics and the Laramide Orogeny, formation of valleys and canyons, volcanism in the area, and erosion by glaciers are all covered. (more info)