Across
- 1. Sitting atop a volcanic hot spot, The world’s first national park. It contains half of the world’s known geothermal features.
- 3. two of the world's most active volcanoes, this landscape is constantly changing as molten lava creates new land and reshapes the island's coastline.
- 4. A "slot canyon" formed by flash flooding rushing through sandstone, it is famous for its wave-like walls and light beams that shine down into the narrow openings, creating a surreal photographic atmosphere
- 6. This high desert landscape contains over 2,000 natural stone arches. The red sandstone formations contrast sharply with the often snow-capped La Sal Mountains in the distance.
- 8. Renowned for its biological diversity and the blue mist that hangs over its peaks, this ancient mountain range contains some of the largest tracts of old-growth deciduous forest left in North America.
- 11. A land of extremes, this basin sits 282 feet below sea level (the lowest point in North America) and holds the record for the hottest air temperature ever recorded on Earth (134°F / 56.7°C).
- 12. Formed by the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama, this is the deepest lake in the US (1,943 feet). It is famous for its intense deep blue color and water clarity, fed entirely by rain and snow.
- 13. Rising dramatically 1,267 feet above the surrounding terrain, this igneous intrusion is a sacred site for many Plains Indians tribes. It is famous for its distinct hexagonal basalt columns.
- 15. This massive waterfall system (specifically the Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil falls) flows with the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America.
Down
- 2. These parks protect nearly half of all remaining coastal redwoods, the tallest trees on Earth. Some of these giants grow over 370 feet tall and can live for more than 2,000 years.
- 5. Canyon Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, Its sheer scale and the colorful layers of sedimentary rock provide a glimpse into the Earth's geological history.
- 7. This is the world's longest known cave system, with over 420 miles of surveyed passageways. It features vast chambers and complex labyrinths formed in limestone strata.
- 9. Part of a 25-million-acre World Heritage Site, this area features massive tidewater glaciers that calve icebergs into the sea.
- 10. Famous for its towering granite monoliths like El Capitan and Half Dome, this glacial valley is also home to Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America (2,425 feet).
- 14. This vast subtropical wilderness is actually a slow-moving river known as the "River of Grass." It is the only place in the world where American alligators and American crocodiles coexist in the wild.