George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Thomas Stone National Historic Site Geologic Resources Inventory Report
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Program Center George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Thomas Stone National Historic Site Geologic Resources Inventory Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2009/127 THIS PAGE: Haberdeventure, Thomas Stone’s restored planta- tion home, dating from the late 1700’s, is the focus of Thomas Stone National Historic Site. ON THE COVER: The bluffs along the Potomac River at George Washington Birthplace National Monument are highly eroded. NPS Photos. George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Thomas Stone National Historic Site Geologic Resources Inventory Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2009/127 Geologic Resources Division Natural Resource Program Center P.O. Box 25287 Denver, Colorado 80225 September 2009 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Program Center Denver, Colorado The Natural Resource Publication series addresses natural resource topics that are of interest and applicability to a broad readership in the National Park Service and to others in the management of natural resources, including the scientific community, the public, and the NPS conservation and environmental constituencies. Manuscripts are peer-reviewed to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and is designed and published in a professional manner. Natural Resource Reports are the designated medium for disseminating high priority, current natural resource management information with managerial application. The series targets a general, diverse audience, and may contain NPS policy considerations or address sensitive issues of management applicability. Examples of the diverse array of reports published in this series include vital signs monitoring plans; "how to" resource management papers; proceedings of resource management workshops or conferences; annual reports of resource programs or divisions of the Natural Resource Program Center; resource action plans; fact sheets; and regularly-published newsletters. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations and data in this report are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the National Park Service. Printed copies of reports in these series may be produced in a limited quantity and they are only available as long as the supply lasts. This report is also available online from the Geologic Resources Inventory website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/inventory/ gre_publications.cfm) and the Natural Resource Publication Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/NRPM/index.cfm) or by sending a request to the address on the back cover. Please cite this publication as: Thornberry-Ehrlich, T. 2009. George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Thomas Stone National Historic Site Geologic Resources Inventory Report. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2009/127. National Park Service, Denver, Colorado. NPS 332/100136, 477/100136, September 2009 ii Contents Figures .......................................................................................................................... iv Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... v Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Geologic Resources Inventory ........................................................................................................... 1 Geologic Setting and Parks’ Establishment ................................................................................................................ 1 Geologic Issues ............................................................................................................. 3 Erosion and Slope Processes..................................................................................................................................... 3 Hydrogeology and Surface Water Issues ................................................................................................................... 4 Paleontological Resource Potential ............................................................................................................................ 6 Sediment Budget for Popes Creek Watershed ........................................................................................................... 6 Seismic Potential ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 Evolution of the Landscape at Thomas Stone NHS .................................................................................................... 8 Issues with Surrounding Development at George Washington Birthplace NM ........................................................... 9 Geologic Features and Processes ............................................................................. 17 Geology and Connections with History ..................................................................................................................... 17 Shoreline Erosion at George Washington Birthplace National Monument ................................................................ 18 Geology and the Ecosystem ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Map Unit Properties .................................................................................................... 21 George Washington Birthplace National Monument ................................................................................................. 21 Thomas Stone National Historic Site ........................................................................................................................ 21 Digital Geologic Map ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Geologic History.......................................................................................................... 27 Proterozoic Eon ........................................................................................................................................................ 27 Paleozoic Era ........................................................................................................................................................... 27 Mesozoic Era ............................................................................................................................................................ 27 Late Mesozoic and Early Cenozoic Eras .................................................................................................................. 28 Cenozoic Era ............................................................................................................................................................ 28 Glossary ....................................................................................................................... 33 Literature Cited ............................................................................................................ 36 Appendix A: Geologic Map Graphics ........................................................................ 38 Appendix B: Scoping Summary – George Washington Birthplace National Monument .................................................................................................................... 41 Appendix C: Scoping Summary – Thomas Stone National Historic Site ............... 48 Attachment: Geologic Resources Inventory Products Disk GEWA-THST Geologic Resources Inventory Report iii Figures Figure 1. Maps of George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Thomas Stone National Historic Site ....... vi Figure 2. Map of Virginia with physiographic provinces and sub provinces ................................................................... 2 Figure 3. Steep cliff areas of the Potomac River shoreline at George Washington Birthplace National Monument ..... 10 Figure 4. Coarse grained gravel layers in the beds atop the relatively impermeable Calvert Formation. ..................... 11 Figure 5. Slumps of coarse-grained gravel layers on steep embankments along the Potomac River .......................... 12 Figure 6. Poorly sorted coarse grained gravel deposits at Thomas Stone National Historic Site ................................. 12 Figure 7. Scarp resulting from rapid shoreline erosion during Hurricane Isabel (2003)................................................ 13 Figure 8. Low lying vegetated islands within the estuary of the mouth of Popes Creek ............................................... 13 Figure 9. Ephemeral tributary of Hoghole Run at Thomas Stone National Historic Site ............................................... 14 Figure 10. Sand spit located at the mouth of Popes Creek looking south .................................................................... 15 Figure 11. Location of the parks relative to major waterways and regional geologic structures ................................... 16 Figure 12. Steep, forested slopes characterize