Crawford Upland facts for kids
The Crawford Upland is a special hilly area in Southern Indiana, United States. It's part of the eastern Indiana Uplands region. This area is known for having the hilliest land in the state!
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Why is the Crawford Upland Hilly?
The hills here are formed because of sandstone rocks that stick out of the ground. These sandstone layers are very strong. Over a long time, wind and water have worn away softer rocks around them. This process leaves the tough sandstone standing tall as hills.
How Rocks Shape the Land
Sometimes, the powerful forces of erosion cut right through the sandstone layers. When this happens, older rocks called limestones are uncovered underneath. This mix of sandstone and limestone creates a very interesting landscape.
Caves and Sinkholes: The Karst Landscape
When limestone is exposed at the surface in the Crawford Upland, something amazing happens. Water can slowly dissolve the limestone. This creates unique landforms like caves and sinkholes (also called dolines). These features are all part of what geologists call karst topography. It means the land has been shaped by water dissolving soluble bedrock, like limestone.
What Rocks Make Up This Area?
The Crawford Upland is made of different types of rocks layered together. You'll find alternating layers of sandstone, limestone, and shale. These rocks belong to specific geological groups named West Baden and Stephensport.
How Old Are These Rocks?
The rocks that form the Crawford Upland are very old! They were formed during a time period called the Mississippian Period. This was a long, long time ago, millions of years before dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
Exploring the Crawford Upland
If you want to visit this unique area, Interstate 64 passes right through it. The Crawford Upland stretches across several counties in Indiana, including Perry, Crawford, Harrison, and Floyd Counties. It's a great place to see some of Indiana's most interesting natural features.
