Montana Geoheritage Sites

About This Project

Following the Global Geoparks Network model, the purpose of this project is to introduce the natural and cultural heritage of selected sites in Montana for the enjoyment and education of learners of all ages. We take an Earth System Science approach, emphasizing the connections between the numerous components of the Earth system: bedrock geology, surficial processes, landscapes, geologic time, weather/climate, ecosystems and biota, human interactions with Earth, and impacts on society and culture. We selected the Augusta-Chateau area as our inaugural Montana Geoheritage site because of the diversity of geologic features present in this landscape, the rich cultural heritage of the people who live here, and the stunning beauty of the Rocky Mountain Front.

This project is being done as a service learning project by students Mariah Cannon, Sarah Devaney, and Willie Freimuth, in the Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University. This is a pilot project that demonstrates how web resources can be used to encourage exploration and discovery of the geoheritage of the Augusta-Choteau area. In coming school years we plan to extend our coverage to other geoheritage sites across Montana. We also hope that this project will serve as a model to develop geoheritage sites in other areas across the United States.

Geoheritage of the Augusta-Choteau Area

Explore the dramatic Rocky Mountain Front near Augusta and Choteau, Montana. In this web module you will find:

An Overview of the Geographic Setting, links to county resources
- Geographic Setting
Geologic Setting
Cultural Heritage
- Ivan Doig Country
- Native American Heritage (under construction)
Topical Issues Around the Rocky Mountain Front
- Climate Change
- Agriculture
- Topical Issues--Wilderness areas, Endangered Species Act, Oil and Gas Exploration Along the Rocky Mountain Front

Visit the Choteau Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta Area Chamber of Commerce for more information about tourist amenities.

Geoheritage of the Beartooth Mountains: Traversing 4.0 Billion Years of Earth History

Take a road trip around the Beartooth Mountains of Montana and Wyoming over the iconic Beartooth Highway and through the northern part of Yellowstone National Park! This website provides a series of field guides that provide information about travel logistics, road logs into Beartooth Country on state, county and USFS roads, campgrounds, trail guides and much more. Take a scenic drive, backpack or take a day hike to experience this remarkable country in person.

Overview and Travel Logistics
Beartooth Country Field Guides--Where to go, What to See and Do
- Livingston to Columbus, MT; West Boulder, Main Boulder and Bridger Creek
- Columbus to Red Lodge, MT; Stillwater River Valley, Stillwater Complex, West and East Rosebud Creeks
- Red Lodge to Cooke City, MT; Over the Beartooth Highway
- Cooke City to Gardiner to Livingston, MT; Northern Tier of Yellowstone National Park and Paradise Valley
Geologic History of the Beartooth Mountains: Field sites recommended in the road log are keyed to these explanations of geologic features, history, and processes. Descriptions are provided about "what" the key features are, and also "when" and "how" they formed. Additional sections on "How do we know...." provide explanations on the scientific methods and type of evidence that is used to interpret Earth history and processes and how to think as a geologist.
Bibliography of Scholarly Articles on the Beartooth Mountains: For those who want to really take a deep dive into research that has been done in the Beartooth Mountains over the past century, a comprehensive bibliography is provided. References cited throughout the Field Guides can be found in this bibliography.