The scenic attributes of the tallgrass prairie: spaciousness,
expansive grasslands, and rolling terrain are exemplified in the
Flint Hills. The least disturbed and largest remaining tracts of
tallgrass prairie lie in the Flint Hills, a sixty mile wide band
extending from Oklahoma to this area. This region is truly unique
in the North American landscape, and is worthy of preservation as a
resource of national signifigance.
The Flint Hills are underlain by layers of limestone and shales
which were deposited by ancient inland seas that covered the mid
continent millions of yeras ago. Large quantities of flint and
chert nodules formed within the limestone, as percolating waters
dropped silica around bits of shell and plant stems.
Later the region was uplifted and the seas drained. Sixty million
years of erosion removed the overlying sediments. The limestones,
more arrestant than the shales, formed the numerous ridges. The
hard, insoluble chert nodules have been left behind to give the
Flint Hills their name. The flat topped hills and deeply dissected
scarps with terraced slopes provide splendid scenic vistas.
The Flint Hills were created approximately 250 million years ago
during the Permian Period. During this time much of the Midwest,
including Kansas and Oklahoma, were covered with shallow seas. As a
result, much of the Flint Hills are composed of limestone and shale
with plentiful fossils of prehistoric sea creatures. The most
notable layer of chert-bearing limestone is the Florence Limestone
Member. It is approximately 45 feet thick; numerous roadcuts of the
Florence Member are prominent along Interstate 70 in Riley County,
Kansas. Many of the honey-colored limestones have been used for
building blocks. The non-chert-bearing limetones are best for this,
since the chert is extremely hard to cut, yet it can fracture quite
easily.
Beginning in the mid-1800s homesteaders replaced the American
Indian in the Flint Hills. Due to shallow outcroppings of limestone
and chert, farming was not practical over much of the area, and
cattle ranching became the main agricultural activity in the
region. Still sparsely developed, the Flint Hills represent the
last expanse of tallgrass prairie in the nation.
Logging Requirements:
First, go to the coordinates and find the plaque/sign and email
me the name of the person who gave the quote written on the
plaque/sign.
Second, look to the west and include in your email your best
guess as to how tall the limestone hill is.
Third, take a picture of yourself in front of the Flint Hills at
this location. Hope you enjoy the trip through the Flint Hills!
Congratulations to JJTally on the FTF!