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Geologic Trip, Sequoia NP Moro Rock Moro Rock is
an imposing granitic dome that protrudes
from the southern edge
of the heavily forested, rugged, upland plateau that that forms much of Sequoia National Park. The
Kaweah River and its tributaries are rapidly eating away the southern edge of
this plateau. This photo, taken from Hospital Rock (2725’) at the base
of the plateau, shows Moro Rock
(6500’) and the rugged southern edge of the plateau. The rapid 3775’ drop
from the plateau to Hospital Rock is due to deep erosion of the plateau by
the Kaweah River and its tributaries. The direct distance from Hospital Rock to
Moro Rock is about 2 miles, but the drive from Hospital Rock to Moro Rock
along Highway 198 is over 10 miles along a steep twisting road that climbs up
the southern edge of the plateau. The top of Moro Rock is easily accessible by a 400-step stairway and there are excellent views from the summit. Moro Rock was formed from a hard
sparsely-jointed granitic rock called the Giant Forest Granodiorite. The rock got its rounded shape from exfoliating shells of granodiorite. Like
Sentinel Dome in Yosemite, Moro Rock was never covered by glaciers. Exterior Websites National Park Service: _____ |