Geophysical Survey of Cultural and Natural Resources at White Sands National Park

Project Description: For this project a geophysical survey will be conducted to locate and record covered cultural (hearth mounds, buried statures, archeological sites) and natural resources (fossil trackways and lakeshore features). This is a continuation of past surveys for the collection of additional imagery and analysis. The initial surveys to test the capabilities of geophysical equipment and gather data and images for public sharing and resource management and protection had great results. The surveys of the western half of the Park at a highly concentrated track site provided incredible images of buried tracks. The PI located tracks that could not be detected from the surface and provided justification for the bill that re- designated the monument to a park. The new legislation calls for the preservation of archeological and paleontological resources. The information gathered from this project will provide the knowledge to conduct extensive surveys in the future for the shorelines of Park, hearth mounds, and archeological sites.

The information from this survey will provide new media for public interpretation and understating. From this survey, GIS layers will be created and a final report on the significance of the unique characteristics that from these cultural and natural resources. The associated analyses, models, and supportive maps will provide important baseline information about the nature of geological conditions that formed and preserve this incredible fossil resources.

Lead Principal Investigator: Dr. Sturt Manning, Cornell University

Partner Institution: Cornell University

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Federal Agency Technical Contact: David Bustos

Project Type: Research

Project Discipline: Natural Resources

Project Sub-Discipline(s): Cultural and Historic

Start Year: 2020

End Year: 2024

Initial Funding Amount: $30,679.00

Federal Grant Number: P20AC00605

Amendments

  • Amendment Number: 01, Year: 2021, Amount: $30,679.00
  • Amendment Number: 02, Year: 2022, Amount: $49,080.00

National Park or Protected Area: White Sands (NPS)

Products Associated with this Project:

  • No products found.
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