Yosemite National Park’s Geologic History

The City of Merced is the gateway to Yosemite National Park. Today, let’s dig a little deeper into the geology of this wonderful park and its interesting development through the ages.

Yosemite has a simple geologic history compared to many other mountain parks. Most all of the rock that you see in Yosemite is part of the Sierra Nevada Batholith, a large body of magma that intruded, crystallized, and lay buried as granitic material beneath a thick layer of metamorphic rock.

Geologists have estimated that the batholith was about six miles below the surface and it took about 100 million years for it to form. Inside Yosemite, dozens of plutons of different ages and compositions were emplaced. Most of the rock in Yosemite was thrust up between 80 and 120 million years ago. Some were intruded between 150 and 210 million years ago.

The entire Yosemite region rose and has been extensively eroded. Over time, almost all of the overlying metamorphic rock was eroded away and the batholithic granite remained. The latest period of uplifting occurred around 10 million years ago which created the Sierra Nevada range, which has a distinct westward tilt, steep east face, and gentle western slopes.

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At Central Valley Events, quality is paramount in everything, including our volunteer activities. This principle motivates our marketing professionals to donate their time and talents to nonprofit organizations that increase people’s quality of life. So it comes as no surprise that the Central Valley Quality of Life Programs Draw Support.

Two programs that have drawn special attention from our team are as follows:

• MicroMentor: Entrepreneurs often need guidance on everything from hiring and bookkeeping to presenting their new business’ best image to consumers and building brand loyalty.

Small business owners and experienced professionals with the specialized skills and knowledge they need to reach the next level can connect through the website MicroMentor.org. Mentors and mentees set expectations, organize meeting schedules, and set and track goals between themselves to ensure both individuals benefit.

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As promised in June, here is some more information about Yosemite Nation Park. Merced is also referred to as The Gateway to Yosemite National Park. From here, it’s just s short drive to get to one of America’s most stunning places of natural beauty.

Yosemite National Park belongs to America’s most visited national parks. This is the place where Ansel Adams was shooting his famous photographs when he had fallen in love with the area’s awe-inspiring waterfalls, the magnificent landscape, and the beautiful steep cliffs.

The majority of the more than four 4 million visitors that visit Yosemite National Park each year only get to see the area of Yosemite Valley but the impressive park offers so much more.

People who love mountain climbing will love El Capitan, a nearly 3600 foot (some 1110 m) vertical wall and rafters will love the wild waters that the Merced River provides. The park also draws large crowds of hobby and professional wildlife and nature lovers and photographers.

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