Geology

WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK

This remote corner of Alaska is one of the most geologically diverse places in the world

The contact zone of the upper limestone and bottom volcanic basalt layer is clearly visible on Donoho Peak (6,696 ft; center)

Clues to the Past

Wrangell-St. Elias is a geologically diverse place that consists of 7 distinct lithotectonic terranes that formed somewhere else and were eventually transported to the region currently known as Alaska. Simply put, there are a lot of different types of rocks with a variety of colors, shapes and consistencies. It’s a playground for geologists!

Fossils

Scattered all throughout the park is clear evidence that this land was once under the ocean. Sea shell and plant life fossils can be found everywhere in Wrangell-St. Elias. High in the mountains, on river beds and even on glaciers, no place is off limits. All you have to do is remember to look at the ground while you hike.

Limestone

One of the two most prominent types of rock in the park is limestone. It is found in every corner and around every turn in Wrangell-St. Elias.

Geodes

Some places have an abundance of quartz packed within the limestone.

Metals

Alaska has a rich mining history. Prospectors flooded into this area during the Klondike Goldrush. While there is certainly gold in Wrangell-St. Elias, it also has silver and copper. In fact, the Kennicott Valley is world-famous for producing the most successful copper mine in history during the early 1900s.

Pumice

Next to limestone, volcanic rocks are the most prominent in the park. Some areas are rich in pumice of varying colors including black, yellow and red.

Glacial Moraine

Each of the 3,000 plus glaciers in the park is visually unique. The rocks that make up the moraine is different for every glacier. Some glaciers even have a variety of rock types that can be seen in distinct bands of moraine.

Bizarre-looking rock creating an alien-like landscape

Moon or Mars?

Sometimes the rocks and mountains look so crazy that they appear to be from another planet or celestial body.

Multi-colored rock cliff with red and yellow bands

Kaleidoscope of Colors

Uniquely colored bands of rock reveal a visual history of their formation over millions of years.

Fractured rock from many years of erosion

Rugged Terrain

Erosion through years of extreme cold, wet and windy weather cause many types of rock to fracture. These pieces of broken rock have deposited over time to create the rugged terrain that makes Alaska travel so challenging.