Geology
Nearly 95% of Yosemite National Park is designated as wilderness. Recognized as a national park in 1890, visitors have long ventured to the Park seeking the wonders and solitude that it provides.
Massive Size and Geological Diversity
Encompassing 761,266 acres or 1,189 square miles the landscape of Yosemite National Park reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Chain. Most visitors to Yosemite see only the seven square miles that make up Yosemite Valley, but there is so much more. Internationally, Yosemite is known for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, Giant Sequoia groves and biological diversity.
Formation
Most of the unique geological features of the Park have been formed over millions of years by the influence and movement of monumental glaciers. The down slope movement of the ice masses cut and sculpted the U-shaped valley that attracts so many visitors to its scenic vistas today – Yosemite Valley.
The geology of the Yosemite area is characterized by granite rocks and remnants of older rock. Millions of years ago, the Sierra Nevada Mountain Chain was uplifted and then tilted to form its gentle western slopes and the dramatic eastern slopes. The uplift increased the steepness of stream and riverbeds, resulting in formation of deep, narrow canyons.
About 1 million years ago, snow and ice accumulated, forming glaciers at the higher alpine meadows that moved down the river valleys. Today the Park remains as one of the largest habitat blocks in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Chain.
Variance in Elevation
It is amazing that the elevation in the Park ranges from 2,000 to 13,114 feet. The ecology of the various areas contain at least five major vegetation zones – chaparral/oak woodland, lower mountain, upper mountain, sub alpine and alpine. The geology supports over 3,500 species of plant life and more than 160 rare plants have been documented in Yosemite National Park.
