Ridge and Valley Province
This image covers the central Pennsylvania section
of
the Ridge and Valley Province of the Appalachians. The orange-rust
colors identify the forest vegetation found on the plateaus and ridges
and
the tan and pale colors locate the intense agricultural and grasslands
of
the valleys. The image demonstrates the effects of fluvial erosion
on rock
layers that have been folded by continental collision. Although this image
dramatically displays physical features, it also can be used to illustrate
human-environmental interaction. When settlers encountered these parallel
ridges and valleys on their way westward, they were funneled into the water
and wind gaps made by streams flowing through the ridges and valleys.
These
natural breaks in the mountains provided settlers with an easier way to cross
the many ridges and valleys. Many cities and towns, shown in blue,
are located
near these water gaps today.
Created by Ingolf Vogeler 1 May 1996
