HYDROGEOLOGY OF THE PROPOSED TULE SPRINGS FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, CLARK COUNTY NEVADA

The proposed Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument (TSFBNM) is located in the northernmost part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, home to approximately 2 million people. The currently proposed size is approximately 27,000 acres and was proposed by a group of local residents in 2006. The proposed TSFBNM will likely have a very large visitation volume, due to ease of access. It may provide one of the best opportunities for education of the public about conservation issues, specifically Geologic and Palentological resources. Despite it proximity to a large urban area, literally across the street from several developments, a high school and a gun range, the subsurface Geology is poorly known. The surfical geology was intensively studied in the early 1960’s and was the locations of one of the first uses of Carbon 14 for age determination. This investigation was known as “the big dig” and was selected for intensive study because it was believed to be (at the time) the oldest known occurrence of humans and mega-fauna in North America. The area has also been investigated recently, partially in connection with the proposed monument. This presentation will show the local Hydrogeology of the area, how it fits with the context of the Geology of the Las Vegas Valley, the potential uses of passive Geophysical techniques, and opportunities for public education.