Bear Valley, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bear Valley, Pennsylvania
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 Bear Valley, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Bear Valley, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Northumberland County |
| Elevation | 833 ft (254 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern Time Zone) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 |
| ZIP code |
17824
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| Area code(s) | 570 |
Bear Valley is a small community in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located close to the town of Shamokin. Bear Valley is known for its history with coal mining.
Contents
What is Bear Valley?
Bear Valley is an unincorporated community. This means it is a group of homes and people living together, but it does not have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it is part of a larger county, which handles services like roads and schools.
Location and Geography
Bear Valley is found in the central part of Pennsylvania. It sits within Northumberland County. The area has a varied landscape, including hills and valleys. Its elevation is about 833 feet (254 meters) above sea level.
The Abandoned Coal Mine
One of the most notable features of Bear Valley is an old, abandoned anthracite strip mine. This mine was once a busy place where a special type of coal was dug out of the ground.
What is Anthracite Coal?
Anthracite is a very hard and shiny type of coal. It is sometimes called "hard coal." It burns very cleanly and produces a lot of heat. Because of these qualities, anthracite was once a very important fuel. People used it to heat their homes and power factories.
How Strip Mining Works
Strip mining is a way to get coal or other minerals that are close to the Earth's surface. Instead of digging deep tunnels, miners remove layers of soil and rock. This exposes the coal seam underneath. Once the coal is removed, the land is often restored.
The Llewellyn Formation
The abandoned strip mine in Bear Valley is a popular spot for people interested in geology. It is a great place to see rocks from the Llewellyn Formation.
What is a Geological Formation?
In geology, a "formation" is a specific layer of rock. These layers have similar features and were formed around the same time. Scientists study formations to learn about Earth's history.
Exploring the Llewellyn Formation
The Llewellyn Formation is a group of rocks that are very old. They formed during the Carboniferous period, millions of years ago. These rocks often contain fossils of ancient plants. They also hold the valuable anthracite coal that was mined in the area. Visiting the old mine allows people to see these ancient rock layers up close. It helps them understand how coal was formed and how the Earth has changed over time.
