Geologic Secrets of Joshua Tree National Park in California

Team up with geology professor Shawn Willsey as he investigates the amazing landscape and rocks of Joshua Tree National Park in southern California.
GPS locations:
34.05957, -116.22642;
33.99267, -116.14945;
34.02266, -116.01876
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College of Southern Idaho
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Twin Falls, ID 83303

[@Splusmer]

One thing I just love about your videos is that you don’t just focus on the specifics of the rock itself (composition, etc), but its context-its history, its *story*. That all helps it come alive to me, even for processes that happen-literally!-on geologic time scales.

[@shawnwillsey]

Exactly!

[@outlawbillionairez9780]

I spent every free moment at Joshua Tree in the 70's And 80's. Camping, hiking,rock climbing. It sparked my interest in geology.

[@bjdefilippo447]

Great hiking!

[@ericchristensen695]

Me too.

[@ericchristensen695]

Me too.

[@ericericson4]

We love the flying sheep in your drawing....

[@lauxmyth]

I was so confused until I saw them.

[@SingularlyNaked]

I was waiting for a Bob Ross style "happy little clouds!"

[@theinstructor2687]

Thank you, Professor. I always enjoy your videos and enjoy learning about geology. I've been an avid off roader and hiker for over 50 years. But never knew much about the things I was seeing.

[@LizWCraftAdd1ct]

Nice gneiss, we have lots in Scotland. More new words to learn. Thanks Shawn. 👍

[@angellacanfora]

Was thrilled to see this vid pop up! I enjoy all your videos but Joshua Tree is near & dear to my heart. I hope you got a chance to check out the spectacular Jumbo Rocks area. And I was happy to see you talk about the Pinto gneiss which I’m endlessly fascinated by. I’m a photographer and have taken many shots of the gneiss around that area by 29 Palms entrance. And on the other side of the park towards the Cottonwood entrance, you can see tall piles of gneiss the size of small mountains. I could blather about the rocks of JTNP all night but I’ll stop!😂

[@jscottmaclean226]

I've often wondered how some mountains could end up looking like a pile of boulders, didn't make sense (other than deep time somehow). Spheroidal weathering along with deep time is the answer. Thanks for posting Shawn, love all your stuff!

[@nitawynn9538]

I was at 29 Palms ages ago. It’s good to see the Joshua trees again and learn about the rocks. Thanks.

[@outlawbillionairez9780]

Joshua was my favorite place, growing up in Orange County. Low level, high speed fly bys of the jets was a plus!

[@garyb6219]

@@outlawbillionairez9780 That must've been awesome!

[@jaspermolenaar1218]

I visited the Park a few years ago from Europe with my family. Thanks for the geological background story!

[@alpineflauge909]

had my mid-term for native plant id class there. best mid-term ever

[@alpineflauge909]

sweet

[@JorgeSanchez-uk4cb]

Love you professor 🤓🙏

[@burthburbankjr2813]

I have camped there many, many times as a boy scout. Never new any of this. I found it very interesting. Thank you.

[@judierickson7166]

Road trips are going to be a lot more interesting from now on! Thank you.

[@marinangeli3250]

Interesting timing, Shawn... my late husband's last request was to have his ashes scattered at Joshua Tree (at the Gram Parsons pyre site). Today is the 29th anniversary of his passing, but I still have not been able to bring myself to do it.

[@RWBHere]

At c. 5:36, my first thought was 'Aww! Shawn's been doodling sheep!' 😉 Thanks for sharing the amazing and interesting landscapes with us. 🙂👍

[@susannap.8834]

Inselberg - I'm surprised to hear a German word! Island-mountain. I thought you only took over "Kindergarten" and "Sauerkraut" 😂 Great explanation as always. I've been there in 1995 with my husband.

[@ericfielding2540]

There are many German words in geology, especially the geomorphology terms. Another is the horst and graben, the features formed by normal faults. The downdropped block in Grindavik is a graben.

[@Dragrath1]

Isn't English funnily enough is originally a Germanic language crudely mixed up with heavy amounts of French into an unholy fusion of sorts? But yeah its drifted so much few German words remain especially as German has also been updated. In geology words come from all over generally wherever the literature first documents or at least recognizes a type of feature.

[@bradley-eblesisor]

This gave me a vision of what the magma chambers might look like under Iceland. This is so interesting.

[@cyndikarp3368]

Mom & Dad made sure we saw Joshua Tree in 1960's. Thanks for the memories. We did a lot of geology tours.

[@maryt2887]

Another great field trip!

[@LisaBelleBC]

As always, spectacular! Thank you for taking us with you!

[@allenra530]

When I was in High School, we went there and camped for a week. I did a lot of rock climbing with my sister. We were all over those rocks in various parts of the park. At the time it was still a National Monument. It is one of the best memories of my life.

[@acfanter]

OMG … had no idea this was coming when I asked … so cool

[@skyepilotte11]

Joshua Tree is a great place to camp and explore... Thc Shawn

[@Mark_in_Boulder]

I climbed there several times during winter breaks in the mid-80s. One of my favorite climbing places with fantastic crack and face/slab climbing. I remember doing EBJBs and Rubicon and lots of climbs around the main campground and out in the hinterlands. Camping was free back then. Very nice to learn some of the geology. Thanks Shawn!

[@brucedymock6635]

Thanks again I’m enjoying seeing parts of US and learning about the geology

[@marinangeli3250]

Thank you, Shawn... always love a stroll through JT, and it's so nice to get details about some of the formations.

[@thomasauslander3757]

Thank you Professor..

[@tommunyon2874]

My late wife and I drove through Joshua tree country on our honeymoon in 1974. A revisit might be in order.

[@BennilocoLoves]

I love my giant backyard desert! ☺️🏜

[@glenncivale6824]

I used to live a mile from the entrance to the park. Mind blowing place. I miss the bright stars and the coyotes at night. Very special place! Thanks.

[@jimsafranek4286]

Thanks! Shared to California Geology Forum on Facebook. All are welcome to join.

[@shawnwillsey]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Jefuslives]

Yay! You made it there.

[@robbirobin9657]

Love the "tippy top" mountains.

[@outdooradventureswithfayde6832]

I enjoyed the tour of the park learning about all the geological features. You travel to many places I probably won't get the time or chance to go but are on my list of places I'd love to see. Very interesting gneiss and schist and the desert varnish on the rocks. I always learn something from your videos 👍

[@user-sg4ei3vv2t]

Really good, educational and thoroughly enjoyable for someone who cant get over there. Thank you.

[@ericfielding2540]

I am more of a geophysicist and geomorphologist than a geologist. I would call those granite, but I realize that there is a more precise name that you used.

[@hanspeterplanzer1837]

Thank you very much. I was here with colleagues in 1989. Greetings from central switzerland. 🇨🇭

[@shawnwillsey]

Be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. You can support my educational videos by clicking on the "Thanks" button just above (right of Like button) or by going here: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=EWUSLG3GBS5W8 or here: buymeacoffee.com/shawnwillsey

[@jeffs72]

Aww you went without me! I live there, next time you're out, lunch/dinner is on me! You videos are the best, especially with flying sheep! Love it!

[@billhollinshead7843]

A great example of spheroidal weathering is The Baths in Virgin Gorda, BVI. I am currently there, staying in a house that is nestled amongst house-sized round granodiorite boulders.

[@infomolerat]

Need any company? Lol

[@missingremote4388]

Ive been to St Thomas X2 and walked to Megan's Bay. Only remember bouldering in Dinosaur Nat'l park and the Alabama Hills Calif. 50 to 20years ago

[@EraX52]

I have been to many sites and have seen these lines of rocks on the rocks. In mojave desert, alabama hills, etc, I have seen a lot of these lines, and I always suspected that these were place by the tribes long ago and they would stretch for miles, through rivers, and up other rocks. But now I know, thanks shawn

[@lelandkelley2199]

Never been to this national park, thank you 😊

[@toughenupfluffy7294]

Me and a friend went camping at Joshua Tree once, when we decided to put on our headlamps and hike out on the cliffs on a moonless, inky-black night. We were at a spot where there were hundred-foot drop offs, being very careful not to fall, when we heard a weird scampering noise. We both turned off our headlamps and sat there, listening intently, wondering if there were mountain goats or something more sinister out there. We were both pretty freaked out when suddenly four marines came walking sternly up to us, dressed in combat camos. One of them said, "What are you boys doing out here? Don't you know this area is off-limits?" We were both taken aback, apologizing profusely, when the marine finally broke into laughter, saying, "Jus f$%ing with you-we're out doing night exercises in the Park! Ha ha! You should've seen the look on your faces!" They'd been running around on the the high cliffs without any lights, just allowing their eyes to adjust to the darkness. We ended up following them back to their base at Twenty-Nine Palms and partied our a$$es off! I'll never forget it, we had such a good time, then wearily drove back to our camp as the sun was coming up, after they'd fed us a big breakfast. Those marines were so friendly, they actually made me respect the armed forces even more than I already did, which was a lot! _Semper Fideles!_

[@infreedomitrust1667]

I grew up in Joshua Tree CA and you should go out to Johnson Valley Dry Lake bed. There's some very interesting faults and volcanic areas there. One hill we use to explore is half white and half black with an almost perfect line in the middle.

[@missingremote4388]

It is volcanic basalt toped with tuff. Who would have thought these mountains are the bedrock

[@nancyadamson6755]

I was just there. It is beautiful I love the rocks

[@paulproctor5555]

Thanks Shawn, love these field trips.

[@dennisbeam199]

Thanks for the video, me and a friend used to hike there when it was called Joshua tree national monument. A long time ago. I thought it was a beautiful place, all those rocks and interesting Joshua trees.

[@elainerhode2298]

Was stationed at 29 Palms MCB in the 70s and had many parties at Squaw Tanks and climbed around many of the rocks. My favorite rock shape was Skull Rock.

[@seanwelch007]

Handy dandy diagrams 🙌

[@jackmcmichael3560]

Thank you for stopping by one of my favorite parks and explaining some of the geology surrounding the Joshua trees this park is a awesome place to view the Perseus meteor shower every August

[@bjdefilippo447]

One of my favorite parks for hiking. Wish I'd known more geology then. Thanks for posting!

[@SidarthDasari]

Appreciate you taking us to all these places

[@jackprier7727]

Okay, thx. Aplite dikes makes sense and explains their presence as such. Roof pendant also exciting to see and hear explanation-

[@CAMacKenzie]

Inselberg=German--island mountain. It doesn't say so in IMDb, but there are a couple of scenes in "Tarantula" (1955, John Agar, Mara Corday, Leo G. Carroll) that look like they were filmed at Joshua Tree, particularly where the monster climbs over the top of the mountain (with rounded boulders) and knocks off some.

[@williamevans6522]

Or maybe filmed outside Lone Pine- Alabama Hills

[@Rachel.4644]

Very interesting and beautiful rocks! Joshua Tree rounded rocks are distinct. You're teaching us new ways to see formations plus new terms, as well. Great video Shawn.

[@Mchelle021]

Really enjoyed learning about this topography. Thanks Shawn! Camped here once and enjoyed bouldering and sketching some of the inspiring features. Found a small seashell and wondered if it was an ancient remnant of a time when water covered this land? Probably imaginative and unlikely, but one of my special takeaways.

[@jenibylsma9845]

These rocky outcrops look very similar to many Australian landscapes I have seen. Absolutely fascinating stuff. Thank you for sharing … 😁

[@brandohi]

Thank you for this education video professor. I didn’t know about inselbergs. It helps me better understand my area and how beautiful it is to live in the area.

[@charleswelch249]

Very nice job explaining the reason behind the landscape in southern California.

[@hestheMaster]

Awesome to see and understand what we are seeing geology- wise professor. So many Hollywood movies were made in areas just like this (some in the western part of Arizona south of Meadview, AZ) from what I've seen but with slightly different mountain geology.

[@Gizathecat2]

All those rounded rocks look like they were inspiration for Roger Dean paintings.

[@ericschmidt6129]

Great videos. Accessible and understandable for the amateur geologist.

[@tjmorrow416]

We plan to visit the park in the next couple of weeks. Happy to learn the geology before our trip. Thanks

[@Ice_Queen_Empress]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mandycleezehappyhour4238]

Gah, it it sooooooo satisfying (truly) FINALLY understanding the geology there. I've visited (and camped in) JT multiple times and always marveled at the beautiful landscapes (also done photography workshops in the park). I had no idea there was basement, b.y.o rock exposed in Joshua Tree?! Shawn, I wish I had you in my pocket on every road trip....you or Nick Zentner... I'm always wondering about the geologic history everywhere I go but rarely understand any of it and I feel like I'm missing out. To me, understanding the history really enhances all my travels bc my imagination takes over, wondering what these places looked like milennia ago, or imagining processes taking place on the surface of or deep within the Earth (Eastern WA/OR and the Columbia River gorge and the hundreds of miles of dozens of layers of lava floes with columnar basalt everywhere...it is mind boggling imagining that happening here in WA). I drive my husband nuts, I'm sure, all the times I say, "wow, look at that formation! I wonder how that happened?!" on our frequent road trips or hikes.

[@Selah-dl3ef]

U2 Joshua Tree.😉I like U2 😘

[@crchuckh6852]

thanks for sharing

[@MyMemphisable]

Thanks!

[@jeffsiegwart]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@kmacdowe]

That was gneiss, thanks Shawn 🤭 .

[@brianbergeron2172]

I was hoping for one on Joshua Tree! I noticed the Gneiss when I was there but didn't know anything about the area. Thank you for the overview.

[@OdinsChosen208]

love your videos its some genuine gneiss schist..... i use to live really close to there but now im up in idaho liking it much more then so cal

[@edwardlulofs444]

I have been waiting for this ….

[@celticmugwump]

Thanks

[@hamidrezasepahian7608]

excellent as usual

[@lindajohannsdottir4466]

So interesting place.

[@jerryrounds8586]

There are lots of armored tank track marks in Joshua Tree where Gen. George S. Patton Jr. trained his invasion forces preparing to engage the Germans in North Africa 1942-3.

[@tonyowen116]

Thanks for the tour. Your information answered some questions I've had about the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine. I saw similar dikes in that formation. Of course the Alabama Hills eastern Sierra Escarpmennt have quite interesting stories as well.

[@Cam-vz2zk]

It amazes me that erosion is so prevalent even in a desert environment with very little rain

[@garyb6219]

I really enjoy your videos, thanks for bringing us all this great info. Does finer grained tend to be more weathering resistant?

[@gumbyresearch]

Great descriptions! Question about the desert varnish on the monzonite boulders: Is the iron & manganese found in the varnish present in the monzonite rock, or does it come from somewhere else?

[@deborahriley1166]

Nice! Thanks 👍

[@minotaurbison]

Love these videos, I would love to find an explanation of the rock layers and sediment found in my area of NW Alabama... some weird red clay like dirt with what appears to be limestone chunks that some of which in the upper layers appears to be deposited by dissolved limestone in the ground water... Locally we call it chert. Very odd shapes and often the chunks contain the red dirt/clay inside of them. There are areas where the red dirt is found alone and areas where the limestone seems to form layers near the grey bedrock in some of the deeper road cuts.

[@grandparocky]

great information!

[@thendisnye7188]

Are the spherodial rock formations created by thermal expansion - exfoliation weathering?

[@nufosmatic]

Be on the lookout for Cholla cactus - one almost ruined my trip there...

[@troyrager1352]

First time I went to Joshua tree was like 7 years ago with my girlfriend, we had never been there but her sister had, and she said oh, you mean pile of rocks state park? Lol only once I got there did I know what she meant, the Joshua trees are definitely outnumbered by piles of rock😂

[@newellbate]

Thanks cool stuff

[@churchofjean2641]

Nice gneiss! ;-)

[@brown-eyedman4040]

Sure would be cool if you could do some videos in Yosemite NP.

[@davidk7324]

Inselberg. There's got to be a story behind that name. Thanks Shawn.

[@fazlerehman8891]

Very informative videos, I'm from Pakistan geologist

[@jens.5676]

Always interesting to find German words in other languages like Inselberg = Island mountain

[@generathjen890]

Good video

[@SPak-rt2gb]

Kind of looks like the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, California

[@davidsavage6227]

If you can, would you talk about the crazy giant rocks at Devil’s Punchbowl? It is on the Mojave side of the San Gabriels. My family uses the pulverized granite to maintain their landscaping and driveways.

[@stephanieparker1250]

See, bouldering doesn’t suck 😅❤

[@TyAndras]

I live in the Mojave Desert west of Joshua Tree in the Victor Valley. Are there any books you recommend that can show the geologic history of the high desert and rock types. Maybe a book that goes into some land features of this amazing area? To the south is the San Andreas Fault and the mountain ranges, cajon pass, Mormon rocks, west to the devil’s Punchbowl; east toward lucerne valley, and north toward stoddard valley, El Mirage, Calico, Apple Valley, and the Mojave River cutting though the valley. I can’t find anything of this area that is good. Someone needs to do a full video/book of this area. It’s an incredible area with just so much geologic diversity.

[@user-wk1mw9nj3i76]

I like learning those German words. Was Germany a leader in developing the science of geology? I’m just curious why there are many German terms in geology. Perhaps they were early explorers of the Alps? Thanks again!

[@pizzafrenzyman]

Is there a different geologic process for a dike and a vein? Other than whether the word is being used by a geologist or a miner.