Yosemite Valley: Location and Glacial Formation

California's Glacial Masterpiece

Where Is Yosemite Valley?

• Location: Yosemite National Park, California, USA
• Coordinates: ~37.73°N, 119.57°W
• Distances: 120 mi (190 km) east of San Francisco; 200 mi (320 km) south of Sacramento
• Setting: Western Sierra Nevada, Merced River canyon

How It Formed: A Glacial Sculpture

Geological Timeline

1. 10+ million years ago: Sierra Nevada uplift begins
2. 2–3 million years ago: Glaciation cycles commence
3. Last Glacial Maximum (~20,000 years ago): Massive ice sheets cover high Sierra
4. ~10,000 years ago: Glaciers retreat, revealing carved valley

Glacial Mechanics

The Merced Glacier, fed by high-country ice fields, flowed down the pre-existing river canyon. Glacial erosion—plucking and abrasion—transformed the V-shaped river valley into a classic U-shaped glacial trough with sheer walls, hanging valleys, and a flat floor.

Iconic Glacial Landforms

• El Capitan: 3,000-ft (900m) granite monolith—world's largest exposed granite face
• Half Dome: 4,800-ft (1,460m) granite dome, split by exfoliation and glacial quarrying
• Yosemite Falls: 2,425 ft (739m) — North America's tallest waterfall, from hanging valley
• Bridalveil Fall, Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks: Additional glacial sculptures

Ongoing Processes

Rockfalls, river erosion, and biological weathering continue shaping the valley today—geology in action.