Cross Mountain (Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cross Mountain |
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Cross Mountain (note the tower on the summit)
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,062 ft (628 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Franklin County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Parent range | Appalachian Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Clear Spring (MD, PA) Quadrangle |
Cross Mountain is a cool mountain peak located in the Appalachian Mountains. It's the tallest point in the Bear Pond Mountains, which are a smaller part of the Appalachians. This mountain range sits right on the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Contents
What is Cross Mountain?
Cross Mountain is a well-known peak in the Appalachian Mountains. It stands tall at 2,062 feet (about 628 meters) above sea level. You can find it in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, close to the Maryland border.
The "Punchbowl" Formation
Cross Mountain and a nearby peak called Hearthstone Mountain (which is 2,021 feet tall and in Maryland) create a special natural shape. This shape is known as the "Punchbowl". Imagine a giant bowl carved into the Earth!
How the Punchbowl Formed
The "Punchbowl" was made over millions of years by nature.
- It started with soft rocks called shales that formed during the Ordovician age (a very long time ago!).
- These shales were in the middle of a big rock fold called an anticline. An anticline is like a giant arch in the rock layers.
- Over time, rain, wind, and ice wore away the softer shale rocks. This erosion created the large, bowl-shaped area we see today.
- The harder rocks of Cross Mountain and Hearthstone Mountain, made of tough quartzite from the Silurian age, resisted the erosion. They now form the rim of this natural "punchbowl."
Cold War History on Cross Mountain
Cross Mountain was once home to a secret microwave relay station. This station was used during the Cold War, a time when there was a lot of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.
The "Cannonball" Site
- The station was called the "Cannonball" site 2.
- It had a tall tower, about 103 feet high, that held the microwave equipment.
- This site was part of a network designed to send important messages across the country.
- The "Cannonball" site was closed down in 1977.
- Even today, you can't easily visit the very top of Cross Mountain because access is still restricted.
Images for kids
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Cross Mountain with the tower on its summit
