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 |
Imagine towering white rocks shaped like pyramids and arches! These are the Monument Rocks, sometimes called the Chalk Pyramids. You can find them in Gove County, Kansas. They are famous for their amazing shapes and the many fossils found there.
The U.S. Department of the Interior chose Monument Rocks as the very first National Natural Landmark in Kansas. This means they are a super important natural place! These chalk formations can reach up to 70 ft (21 m) tall. They include cool shapes like tall, flat-topped hills called buttes and natural arches.
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How Monument Rocks Were Formed
These incredible rocks were made from carbonate deposits. These deposits settled at the bottom of a huge ancient sea. This sea, called the Western Interior Seaway, covered parts of North America about 80 million years ago. It even split the continent into two landmasses! Over millions of years, these deposits hardened into the chalk formations we see today.
A Special Place in Kansas History
Monument Rocks is not just old; it's also famous! On January 29, 2008, Monument Rocks was named one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas." It shared this honor with another cool rock formation called Castle Rock, which is a bit further east. This recognition shows how special these natural landmarks are to the state.
Exploring the Rocks
When you visit Monument Rocks, you can see many different formations. Some look like giant pyramids, while others have natural arches that you can walk under. It's a great place to imagine what Kansas looked like millions of years ago when it was covered by a sea!
Gallery
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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
Other Cool Places in Kansas
Kansas has many other interesting geological spots to explore. If you like Monument Rocks, you might also enjoy:
