2004 Denver Annual Meeting (November 7–10, 2004)

Paper No. 4
Presentation Time: 8:00 AM-12:00 PM

GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY


SHALLOW, John, Boulder, CO 80304, shallow111@aol.com

A large scale geologic map of the Blue Ridge Parkway is presented. The map was compiled from the state geologic maps of South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Additional sources include DNAG volume F-2 and other publications. Scale (1:500,000), orientation (southwest to northeast), and size (8.25 in x 57 in - 0.22 m x 1.45 m) of the geologic map is identical to that of the Official Map and Guide as provided by the National Park Service. This map covers the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, from Great Smoky Mountain National Park at the southwest to Shenandoah National Park at the northeast. Stratigraphic units were arranged according to a scheme based upon that of Rankin and Drake (1990, GNA-F2, plate 2). Digitizing and drafting were performed using AutoCad 2000 on simple x-y coordinates.

The purpose of the map is to present a comprehensive view of this geologically interesting area in a format aimed at professional and student geologists. Several geologic provinces are represented on the map (Valley and Ridge, Blue Ridge, and Inner Piedmont) as well as important regional structures (Grandfather Mountain Window, Brevard Fault, Rockfish Valley Fault, etc.). This region contains geologic evidence of several deformational events (Greenville, Avalonian, Taconic, Acadian, and Alleghanian) and sedimentary depositional periods (Late Precambrian to Mississippian).

The large map is folded to a convenient size for use in the field, classroom, or office. The reverse side of the map shows an explanation, a schematic geologic history, and a cross-section through the Grandfather Mountain Window.