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NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana

Geodiversity refers to the full variety of natural geologic (rocks, minerals, sediments, fossils, landforms, and physical processes) and soil resources and processes that occur in the park. A product of the Geologic Resources Inventory, the NPS Geodiversity Atlas delivers information in support of education, Geoconservation, and integrated management of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of the ecosystem.

cover of gri report with photo of a cemetery
In-depth geologic information is contained in the baseline inventory products of the Geologic Resources Inventory, see table below.

Geologic Features and Processes

[Site Under Development]

The bedrock that underlies Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is from the Upper Cretaceous Period (about 100 million to 65.5 million years ago) and represents sediments (mud and sand) originally deposited in a seaway that inundated west-central North America. Surficial units consist of alluvium (gravel, sand, silt, and clay) that streams deposited during the Quaternary Period (the past 2.6 million years). These rocks and unconsolidated deposits give rise to the landforms that influenced the actions taken during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Maps and Reports

geologic map of the park cropped thumbnail view
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The Geologic Resources Inventory produces digital geologic maps and reports for more than 270 natural resource parks. The products listed below are currently available for this park, check back often for updates as many maps, reports, and posters are still in progress.

  • Scoping summaries are records of scoping meetings where NPS staff and local geologists determined the park’s geologic mapping plan and what content should be included in the report.

  • Digital geologic maps include files for viewing in GIS software, a guide to using the data, and a document with ancillary map information. Newer products also include data viewable in Google Earth and online map services.

  • Reports use the maps to discuss the park’s setting and significance, notable geologic features and processes, geologic resource management issues, and geologic history.

  • Posters are a static view of the GIS data in PDF format. Newer posters include aerial imagery or shaded relief and other park information. They are also included with the reports.

  • Projects list basic information about the program and all products available for a park.

Source: Data Store Saved Search 3806 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

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Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument


National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas

The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on geoheritage and geodiversity resources and values within the National Park System. This information supports science-based geoconservation and interpretation in the NPS, as well as STEM education in schools, museums, and field camps. The NPS Geologic Resources Division and many parks work with National and International geoconservation communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available.

For more information on the NPS Geodiversity Atlas, contact us.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Last updated: January 5, 2021