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Monument Rocks (Kansas) facts for kids

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Monument Rocks
Monument Rocks.jpg
View of the Monument Rocks
Map of Gove Co, Ks, USA.png
Map showing location of Monument Rocks
Location South of Oakley, Kansas, Gove County, Smoky Hills, Kansas, United States
Elevation 802 m (2,631 ft)
Established National Natural Landmark
Website Washburn University website
Designated: 1968

Monument Rocks (also Chalk Pyramids) are a series of big chalk formations in Gove County, Kansas. It has many fossils. The formations were the first landmark chosen by the US Department of the Interior as a National Natural Landmark. The chalk formations reach a height of up to 70 ft (21 m). It includes formations such as buttes and arches. The carbonate deposits were laid down during the Cretaceous Period in what was then the Western Interior Seaway. It split the continent of North America into two landmasses. They are estimated to have been formed 80 million years ago.

History

On January 29, 2008, Monument Rocks, 25 miles south of Oakley, Kansas, and Castle Rock, 31 miles to the east, together were named as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas.

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