Cloudland Canyon State Park is part of the Valley and Ridge Province of the Appalachian Mountains. This entire mountain range was formed in a geological event known as the Appalachian orogeny. The orogeny was caused by Africa colliding with North America in the formation of the super-continent Pangea. Pangea contained all major continental land masses after its formation. The collision exerted massive stress on the Eastern Seaboard or North America, forming a wide and high mountain chain.
It is believed that when this event first happened, the Appalachian Mountains likely reached elevations similar to those of the Alps and Rocky Mountains. Subsequent erosion has dropped the elevation significantly below those other ranges. As the continents collided, the rock material trapped in-between was crushed and forced upward. With nowhere to go, rocks along the eastern margin of the North American continent were shoved far inland. The same thing happened in the oppostie direction in Africa, forming the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and the western Sahara.
The sedimentary rock in the eastern Appalachian Basin region was squeezed into great folds that ran perpendicular to the direction of forces. The greatest amount of deformation associated with the Alleghanian orogeny occurred in the Southern Appalachians (North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia). In that region, a series of great faults developed in addition to the folds. As the two continents collided, large belts of rock bounded by thrust faults piled one on top of another, shortening the crust along the eastern edge of North America in the North Carolina and Tennessee region by as much as 200 miles (320 km).
As time passed after this massive continent collision, erosion began to chisel down the Appalachians. Where you are now used to have a much higher elevation in days past. Water erosion has carved the valley in this area, also forming the waterfall you now see. To claim this earthcache, please answer the following questions.
1) What is the "sister" mountain range that was formed during the Appalachian Orogeny? (HINT: This range is located in Morocco.)
2) The greatest amount of deformation occured in what region of the Appalachians?
3) Water erosion formed the majority of this valley, but missed a few "chunks." How many gigantic rocks do you see in the plunge pool area of Hemlock Falls? (You'll know which rocks I'm talking about)
4) How tall do you estimate Hemlock Falls to be? (Do not attempt an actual measurement)
BONUS: (Not required, but encouraged) How do you think these falls got their name?
OPTIONAL: Post a picture of you or your group at Hemlock Falls
We hope you enjoyed this earthcache and Cloudland Canyon State Park!