• View of the Golden Gate Bridge, taken from the Marin Headlands, looking across the bay back towards San Francisco, seen in the distance.

    Golden Gate

    National Recreation Area California

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  • Tunnel to Marin Headlands Closed

    The tunnel on Bunker Road from Alexander Avenue in Sausalito towards the Marin Headlands is closed for construction. Please follow the detour signs to Conzelman Road (just above the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge) to go up over the hill. More »

  • Muir Beach (but not nearby Muir Woods) parking lot closed June-November 2013

    Muir Beach parking lot will be closed from June-November 2013 due to construction. Restrooms or nearby parking will not be available at Muir Beach during this period. Pacific Way is closed except to residents. Check back for updates or call (415)561-3054 More »

  • CAUTION: Post Storm Damage to Coastal Trail

    The Presidio Coastal Trail segment just north of the Pacific Overlook and adjacent to Lincoln Blvd remains CLOSED indefinitely. We have posted signage to alert bicyclists and hikers and with information for safe trail alternatives. More »

Developing an Essential Question

The essential question of our geology curricula, How do I recognize evidence of geologic change in my environment?, is intended to be a theme or thread, linking all curriculum components together. The question has the following characteristics:

Transportable: The essential question can be asked in any educational setting: National Park, school, neighborhood, Earth, and during any part of the Rocks on the Move curriculum: pre-site visit, on-site program, and post-site lessons.

Multi-sensory: The essential question can be answered using many senses. We can observe geologic changes, visually, or by feel (shaking ground), smell (volcanic activity), taste (salt air), hearing (hear the rumble of an earthquake or landslide).

Universal: All students have experienced geologic change of some sort or another by being residents of planet Earth, so all students have personal experiences to draw upon and share.

Process-oriented: The essential question addresses process (geologic changes and how they occur) rather than solely observation/description (rock identification and mapping).

Did You Know?

Wildflowers

A 1° F increase in average temperature seen in California over the last 100 years has led to Sierra snow melting 2 to 4 weeks earlier and flowers blooming 1 to 2 weeks earlier. Temperatures are predicted to increase another 1° to 2° F in the next 25 years.