Geology

 
 

From River to Canyon

Curecanti and neighboring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park share a geologic makeup and history. Precambrian metamorphic basement rocks are visible from the Lake City Bridge to the Upper Black Canyon. Igneous rocks form the impressive features across the park - such as the Curecanti Needle and Dillon Pinnacles. Sedimentary rocks hold dinosaur and trace fossils. Ancient oceans, deserts, lakes, and rivers were the past environments of this area.

Colorado Plateau and the Southern Rocky Mountains

Curecanti National Recreation Area is situated between two physiographic provinces: the Colorado Plateau to the west and the Southern Rocky Mountains to the east.

The Colorado Plateau highlights a region well known for its natural features, plateaus, buttes, deep canyons, and colorful rock layers. The Southern Rocky Mountains contain massive 14,000 ft (4,267 m) peaks, valleys, and uplifts—the result of many tectonic episodes. The West Elk Mountains lie to the north, San Juan Mountains to the southwest, and the Gunnison Valley to the east.

 
A map of Colorado and adjacent states showing the physiographic provinces. Pink shading on the left for Colorado Plateau, purple shading in the middle for Southern Rocky Mountains, and blue shading on the right to show Great Plains.
Curecanti National Recreation Area falls between two physiographic provinces: Colorado Plateaus (west) and Southern Rocky Mountains (east).

NPS/Geologic Resources Division

 
Tall, dark canyon walls with water at the base. A blue sky with clouds is above the canyon.
Geologic Story

Read the chapters that make up the geologic story of Black Canyon and Curecanti.

A light pink rock intrusion diagonally across a larger brown rock
Rocks and Minerals

Learn about the types of rock and minerals found in Black Canyon and Curecanti.

Last updated: August 14, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230

Phone:

970 641-2337 x205
This phone is not monitored when the building is closed. If you are having an emergency, call 911.

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