GEOLOGIC MAP OF GUILFORD COURTHOUSE NATIONAL MILITARY PARK, CENTRAL PIEDMONT, NORTH CAROLINA

Geologic mapping of the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Guilford County, North Carolina reveals the details of the major shear zone between the Charlotte Belt and the Carolina Slate Belt. The shear zone (Carpenter, 1982} separates the metamorphosed porphyritic granite of the Churchland Pluton from the felsic intrusive complex, primarily biotite schist, of the Carolina Slate Belt. The shear zone is composed of mylonitized materials from both rock units. Additionally, large “slabs” of one rock unit appear to be interleaved with the other along the shear zone. Generally the shear zone and the regional geology trend east-northeast. Minor structures and petrologic studies suggest more than one period of movement along the shear zone in association with the building of the Appalachian Mountains.

In addition to the geologic work, impacts of the geology on the Revolutionary War battle fought here and the impact of later human settlement on the land were mapped. Alternate placement of one of the American lines was given more credence by this study.

The National Park Service and the Department of Geology and Earth Sciences at Guilford College supported this study.