Monument Rocks (Kansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monument Rocks |
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View of the Monument Rocks
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Map showing location of Monument Rocks
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| 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.
Images for kids
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Wide view of largest formation and arch
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Southernmost rock in the early 1890s
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Wide view from the west
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With car for scale
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Night view with Milky Way
