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Golden Gate National Recreational AreaGolden Gate Headlands
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Golden Gate National Recreational Area
Geology Resources
 

This page provides access to information resources on the rocks and geology of the Golden Gate Headlands that are the focus of PARK Teachers Geology at Golden Gate. 

Subduction Construction is an online game designed for middle to high school students. It guides them through the identification of rocks found in the Franciscan Complex and then helps them to place the rocks in their proper locations of origin in order to animate the subduction zone. 

Marine Headlands Rotation Animation shows and explains how the rocks of the Marin Headlands may have been spun around by motion on the San Andreas fault.

The Frequently Asked Questions and Franciscan Geology Glossary augment the Subduction Construction game with more in-depth information on different Franciscan rocks and is intended for both students and teachers.

View frequently asked questions on the following rock types:

The Geology of the Golden Gate Headlands Guidebook is a resource primarily for teachers. It provides information on the rocks and processes that formed of the Golden Gate Headlands and San Francisco in general. It also serves as a field trip guidebook for those interested in observing the rocks out in the park.

The Geology of the Golden Gate Headlands and Franciscan Rocks of the Marin Headlands posters allow teachers to download poster-size pdf files that can be output on a large-format printer for use in the classroom.

The Rock Identification and Rock History cards provide basic information on Franciscan Rocks and the processes in which they were formed. Teachers can use them in conjunction with hand specimens in either a field or lab setting to help middle to high school students identify these rocks and understand how and where they formed.

There are two sets of rock information cards: those used for the Rockin' in the Riprap program at Crissy Field, and those used for the Rocks on the Move program in the Marin Headlands.

Rockin' in the Riprap rock information cards:

Rocks on the Move rock information cards:

Golden Gate headlands geology
Download a Franciscan geology field guide (2.2mb)
Learn the geology of the Golden Gate headlands through this field trip guide
more...
Marin Headlands rotation animation image
View Marin Headlands Rotation Animation
Can large blocks of rock rotate?
more...
Carnelian and other Franciscan rocks
Download a glossary of Franciscan terms
This illustrated glossary is full of terms related to subduction geology
more...
Bedded chert
Download subduction-related rock history cards
These cards outline how and where different rocks at the Presidio formed
more...
Franciscan rocks of the Golden Gate Headlands  

Did You Know?
Studies in the Franciscan Complex in the San Francisco area were instrumental in providing scientists with an understanding of subduction processes and their geologic results.

Last Updated: February 20, 2009 at 14:51 EST