• Death Valley from Aguereberry Point

    Death Valley

    National Park CA,NV

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  • EXTREME SUMMER HEAT

    Expect high temperatures of 100 to 120 degrees F on your summer visit to Death Valley. Heat related illness is a real possibility. Drink plenty of water and carry extra. Avoid activity in the heat. Travel prepared to survive. Watch for signs of trouble. More »

  • Furnace Creek Visitor Center hours to change for Summer 2013

    To better serve summer visitors, the Furnace Creek Visitor Center will be open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm beginning June 16 through October 7, 2013.

  • Furnace Creek Campground Temporary Closure

    Furnace Creek Campground will be CLOSED for construction starting April 16, 2013. Texas Springs Campground will remain open for summer camping in the Furnace Creek Area. More »

Faults

fault scarp
The massive earthquake that created this 20 foot tall fault scarp near Badwater happened about 2000 years ago.
 
Nature and Science

Figure 1. Diagram showing types of movement along major fault systems in Death Valley.

Faulting is the one of the main reasons Death Valley exists. Movement along faults allow the mountains to rise and the valleys to sink. Death Valley is located in the southwestern portion of the Basin and Range geomorphic province. The Basin and Range province has a long and active geologic history, including faulting and regional tectonic movement. Fault-bounded uplifted ranges are separated by down-dropped sedimentary basins.

Most faulting that is presently occurring within Death Valley is strike-slip (transverse) with a component of normal movement (see Figure 1). With faulting comes the possibility of seismic activity, more commonly known as earthquakes. Most earthquakes that occur today are very small and cause no damage to structures or the ground surface. However, at some point in the future (no one knows how long into the future), the major fault systems in Death Valley are almost sure to create a significant seismic event.

  • Geology Fieldnotes Geology Fieldnotes

    Tour the geology of Death Valley. Read More

Did You Know?

Telescope Peak, 11,049 feet above Badwater Basin

The highest mountain in Death Valley National Park is 11,049 foot Telescope Peak. The vertical drop from the peak to the Badwater Basin is twice the depth of Grand Canyon. More...