Knobstone Escarpment facts for kids

The Knobstone Escarpment is a very hilly area in Southern Indiana. It's known for having some of the roughest and hilliest land in all of Indiana. The tallest point in this region is Weed Patch Hill, which stands at 1,060 feet (about 323 meters) above sea level.

What is the Knobstone Escarpment?

The most important features of the Knobstone Escarpment are its steep hills, which people often call "knobs," and deep, narrow valleys called "ravines." These hills are very noticeable because they rise sharply from the flatter land around them.

Where is it Located?

This impressive ridge of hills stretches for about 150 miles (240 kilometers). It starts in southern Johnson County in Indiana and goes all the way south, crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky. To the east of the Knobstone Escarpment is a flatter area called the Scottsburg Lowland. The Knobstone hills stand hundreds of feet above this lowland.

These scenic hills also mark the eastern edge of a larger hilly area known as the Norman Upland. The famous Hills of Brown County are a great example of the kind of land you find in the Norman Upland. You can enjoy amazing views from the highest points of this region, especially in places like Brown County State Park.

How Were the Knobstone Hills Formed?

The Knobstone Escarpment is made mostly of strong, hard rocks called siltstones. These siltstones are part of a group of rocks known as the Borden Group.

To the east, the Scottsburg Lowland was formed from older rocks called shales. Shales are softer and wear away more easily, which is why that area is flatter. To the west of the Norman Upland, there's another type of land called the Mitchell Plain. This area is made of limestones, which are rocks that can dissolve over time, creating a gently rolling landscape. The different types of rocks and how they wear down have created the unique and varied landscapes of Indiana.