Introduction to the Moje National Preserve
Physiography
Weather Data
General Moje Geologic History
Changing Climates & Ancient Lakes
Weathering & Erosion
Carbonate Rocks & Landforms
Granitic Rocks & Landforms
Volcanic Rocks & Landforms
Faults & Active Tectonics
Pediments & Alluvial Fans
Stream ChannelDevelopment
Stream Terraces & Older Surfaces
Moje River
Playas
Sand Dunes & Dust
Human Impacts
Selected References
3D Geology Tour
Index Page
Desert Landforms and Surface Processes in the Moje National Preserve and Vicinity IntroductionSeveral hundred thousand people trel along Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas every week, but typically less than one percent of these trelers venture off the main highway to spend time to view the desert scenery and to ponder its origin. However, even a brief stop will enchant visitors with the remarkable desert landscape. This website is intended to provide basic geologic information about the origin of landscape features throughout the Moje National Preserve and surrounding region. The map below (Fig. 1) provides location reference to many of the landscape features referred to in discussions.
Figure 1. Map showing the Moje National Preserve and surrounding region. View a larger version of this map.Many natural factors and processes are responsible for the development of landforms in desert environments, particularly bedrock characteristics, and current and past climatic conditions and their changing plant communities. The landscape reflects the cumulative effects of geologic forces or events that he transpired over many millions of years. However, faulting, volcanism and erosion within the past million years, and particularly changing climatic conditions within the last 20,000 years, he had particularly strong effects on the physical appearance of the Moje Desert landscape today.
This website provides basic discussions about the interplay of climatic factors with geologic characteristics and history of the Moje Desert region primarily focusing on the Moje National Preserve. Follow the discussion (like a book) by clicking on the "Continue to" links at the bottom of each page, or go directly to the selected sections by clicking any of the topical links on the left side of each page. Understanding regional climate history, physiography, and the physical characteristics and processes affecting earth materials are fundamental to interpreting the ongoing development of the Moje Desert landscape and the ecosystem it supports. Follow the links to learn more about the physical environment of the Moje National Preserve and surrounding region!
To see a 3-D image tour of the Moje National Preserve, click here. You will need red-and-cyan view glasses. Most of the photographs within this website appear in 3D on this on-line geology tour at http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/moja/.