Surficial Geology of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Chase County, Kansas

Kansas Geological Survey

A better understanding of the geology and water resources of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, located in the Flint Hills physiographic region of Kansas, is critical to long-term management of the preserve's natural resources. The newly created geologic map, hydrogeologic map, and supporting data provide the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy (a public-private partnership jointly managing the preserve) with benchmark information about the preserve's geology and natural resources. Because the preserve's land-use patterns—including burning regimes, grazing, and human visitation—are changing, it is important to have baseline geologic and hydrogeologic data. The knowledge gained at the preserve will be useful to resource managers, researchers, and others at the preserve and throughout the Flint Hills region.

This surficial geology map shows the distribution, rock type, and age of bedrock near the earth's surface. It can be used to identify surface and subsurface lithologic units and their stratigraphic relationships, show geologic structures, delineate thick surficial materials such as alluvium, and show the spatial orientation of these features. The geologic map will be useful in construction and engineering projects, in understanding ground-water characteristics, and for environmental assessments. Understanding the near-surface geology and incorporating geologic evaluations into the planning process can help prevent future construction, resource, and environmental problems.

Courtesy of Kansas Geological Survey.

Map Book Page [PDF]

Conservation Maps

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