The rocks that underlie North Carolina tell a story of almost 2 billion years of Earth history spanning the formation of two supercontinents, multiple rifting events, and the collision of multiple terranes.
The Mountains of North Carolina are home to the State’s oldest rocks that record the early history of the ancient North American continent (Laurentia) from its incorporation into the supercontinent Rodinia and its subsequent breakup.
The Piedmont contains a collection of accreted terranes that through plate tectonics slammed into and became part of the Laurentian continent and North Carolina.
The sediments of the Coastal Plain record the erosion and deposition of the once grand Appalachian Mountain chain that resulted from the last mountain building event in North Carolina.
Explore various aspects of North Carolina’s rich geology and geologic history
by clicking on a region on the below map:
MOUNTAINS_______________ PIEDMONT_______________ COASTAL PLAIN
About the ncgeology.com website:
This is the web portal for draft websites for information about the general geology of North Carolina.
The content of this website is developed in several ways: 1) pre-existing geologic information is adapted to the web, 2) new content is produced specifically for the website, and 3) collaborators from universities (including students) and volunteers develop original content for the website.
The website is intended as a general guide to the rocks of North Carolina and the geology of various locations in the State including State Parks and other public land. As more information is acquired, updates and edits to this website will occur.
Comments or identification of errors or technical inaccuracies can be directed to Phil Bradley – pbradley1968@gmail.com
Disclaimer:
This website and data is preliminary. Further revisions or corrections to this website may occur. This data is not suitable for site-specific geologic evaluations. References are provided and should be reviewed before conducting any site investigations.
Chris Bagley (undergraduate student from Appalachian State University) assisted with the development of the layout and design, banner, and other graphics of the website through the Appalachian State University's Dean of Arts and Science's Summer Research Stipend.