Sea stars (Stelleroidea) Cabrillo National Monument Facts: • Created on October 14, 1913 to memorialize the first European expedition to the North American West Coast, led by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo • Cabrillo National Monument comprises more than 160 acres of coastal environment • The park is located on a 400-foot peninsula near between the Pacific Ocean and the adjacent city of San Diego • Cabrillo National Monument is the highest point on Cabrillo National Monument, whose light shown at 465 feet above sea level • Old Point Loma Lighthouse, one of the first on the West Coast, is the highest point on Cabrillo National Monument, at 46 feet • Cabrillo National Monument welcomes 1,100,000 visitors per year • The park is known for its well-preserved rocky intertidal areas and its views of the adjacent landscapes and annual gray whale migrations Please contact the Cabrillo National Monument for more information at (619) 557-5450, or visit their website at www.nps.gov/cabr.

Physical Science

Though a relatively small area, Cabrillo National Monument is geologically and topographically diverse. The monument rises 400 feet above sea level. Three predominant formations comprise the monument and are sedimentary in nature. The Cretaceous Point Loma Formation is the oldest and extends from northern Baja California to Carlsbad, California. Rich in marine fossils, it is an excellent example of a late-Cretaceous marine environment.

Superimposed on the Point Loma Formation, the Cabrillo Formation is composed of terrestrial deposits ranging from sandstone to boulder conglomerates indicative of braded river deposits.

The younger Pleistocene Bay Point Formation is a poorly cemented sandstone structure that is indicative of a near shore marine environment. This formation forms the coastal marine terraces on both sides of the peninsula. The Pleistocene Bay Point Formation offers opportunities for geomorphologic studies because of its slope instability.

Cabrillo National Monument offers many opportunities to study the effects of human populations on Mediterranean climate, water, air quality, soils, erosion, storm runoff, and other physical science related issues that impact park management. and visitation because of its proximity to San Diego. Additionally, the Mediterranean Climate and the unique physiography of the monument allows for the study of interactions between the ocean, and tidal environments, San Diego bay, and the surrounding terrestrial environments.

Current Research
Numerous local universities and research institutions have used the Cabrillo National Monument as an outdoor laboratory for research ranging from major seismic studies being conducted throughout southern California, to smaller studies focused on the physical geography within the park. Many studies are concerned with the impacts of human activity on park resources. Specific Studies include the following:

Research Opportunities
We are particularly interested in work which will assist in the management of the natural and cultural resources in the park. These include the following studies:

Researchers in Cabrillo National Monument have access to an extensive geographic information system (GIS) database that includes land use, demographic, jurisdictional, political, and natural and cultural resource data.

The National Park Service looks forward to working with researchers to explore novel opportunities and facilitate future studies in Cabrillo National Monument through the CMRLC. Please contact Cabrillo National Monument for more information at (619) 557-5450 or visit their website at www.nps.gov/cabr.