By Craig Flannery

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN TRIP

- -Alabama to New Foundland in Canada

- -Marine sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks and slivers of ancient ocean floor = Plate collision

- -Younger mountain chain

BUS SQUAD

Igneous rockFirst Geologic stop was at an “urban outcrop” behind

Sonic in Nashville, TNYounger in rock cycleLayers of shale.Dynamite usedPrecambrian Fossils!

DAY 1: STOP 1: URBAN OUTCROP

Located in KentuckyWorld’s largest known underground cave systemOver 400 miles longParts unexcavatedThick Mississippian-aged limestone strata capped by

a layer of sandstone –very stable

DAY 1: STOP 2: MAMMOTH CAVE

60-80ft high sandstone cliffsCross bedding

DAY 2: STOP 1: NADA TUNNEL NEAR RED RIVER GORGE

Over 100 natural sandstone archesSimilarities - Red River and the Colorado River

DAY 2: STOP 2: SKY BRIDGE AT RED RIVER GORGE

- -Metamorphic gneisses to the East of Appalachians- -Older rocks- -The result of a transformation from pre-existing rock.

See rock cycle

DAY 3: STOP 1: BLUE RIDGE NEAR GREAT SMOKY NATIONAL PARK

Metamorphic rock intrusion.

DAY 3: STOP 2: “ ”

DAY 4: STONE MOUNTAIN

A giant granite plutonWhy is there only one giant mountain sticking up out

of a surrounding flat plain?XenolithsQuarry

STONE MOUNTAIN

AMPHIBOLITE BIOTITE

METAMORPHIC AND IGNEOUS ROCK:A LOVE STORY