Bald Eagle Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bald Eagle Mountain |
|
|---|---|
A Scimitar glider ridge soaring on Bald Eagle Mountain near Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,112 ft (644 m) |
| Geography | |
 Bald Eagle Mountain
Location in Pennsylvania
|
|
| Location | Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Parent range | Appalachian Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Jersey Shore (PA) Quadrangle |
Bald Eagle Mountain is a long, narrow mountain ridge in central Pennsylvania, USA. It's part of the Appalachian Mountains, which stretch across eastern North America. This mountain was once known as Muncy Mountain. It runs for about 60 miles (100 km) and helps separate several valleys in the region.
The mountain is located in parts of Centre County, Clinton County, and Lycoming County. It also forms part of the border between Blair County and Huntingdon County. Its western end is near Tyrone, and it stretches east towards Williamsport.
Many roads cross Bald Eagle Mountain. Some, like the Julian and Unionville Pikes, are paved roads. Major highways like Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 220 pass through "water gaps." These are places where rivers have cut through the mountain over time. Other roads, like U.S. Route 15, cross through "wind gaps." These are lower spots in the ridge that were not formed by water.
Bald Eagle Mountain is a great place for nature lovers. It's covered by a thick forest of oak and hickory trees. The mountain is also famous for its soaring birds, especially golden eagles. Many people come here to watch these magnificent birds migrate. Glider pilots also enjoy flying along the mountain's slopes, using the air currents to stay aloft.
What is Bald Eagle Mountain Made Of?
Bald Eagle Mountain is part of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. This area has many long, parallel ridges and valleys. The mountain is made up of very old rocks. These rocks were formed millions of years ago during a time called the Paleozoic Era.
How the Mountain Was Formed
Long ago, the Earth's crust moved and pushed these rock layers upwards. This created a huge, tall mountain range. Over millions of years, wind and water slowly wore away the softer rocks. The harder rocks, like sandstone and quartzite, were left behind. These harder rocks now form the ridges, including Bald Eagle Mountain.
The mountain has two main crests, or high points. There's a slight dip between them. This happened because of how the different types of rock wore away. The rocks on the side of Bald Eagle Mountain are almost straight up and down. This is different from other nearby mountains where the rocks are more tilted.
Rocks and Water on the Mountain
The rocks on Bald Eagle Mountain contain a mineral called pyrite. When pyrite mixes with air and water, it can create sulfuric acid. This acid can then get into the streams and groundwater. Because of this, engineers need to be careful when building roads through the mountain. They work to prevent this acidic water from causing pollution.
