Geology of Alabama

The geology of Alabama is marked by abundant geologic resources and a variety of geologic structures from folded mountains in the north to sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico coast. Alabama spans three continental geologic provinces as defined by the United States Geological Survey, the Atlantic Plain, Appalachian Highlands, and Interior Plains. [http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/parks/province/index.html] USGS; Geologic Provinces of the United States: Records of an Active Earth] [ [http://tapestry.usgs.gov/states/alabama.html] A Tapestry of Time and Terrain: The Union of Two Maps - Geology and Topography; State Boundaries; Alabama] The Geological Survey of Alabama breaks these provinces down into more specific physiographic provinces. [http://www.geo.ua.edu/map/ALNWleg.gif] Geologic Survey of Alabama; Geologic Map; Northwest Section Legend]

=Provinces=

Atlantic Plain

The broad, flat coastal plain stretches across the southern portion of the state, extending north from the Gulf coast to the fall line near Montgomery, Alabama. [http://tapestry.usgs.gov/physiogr/physio.html] A Tapestry of Time and Terrain: The Union of Two Maps - Geology and Topography; Physiographic Regions]

Appalachian Highlands

Extending north from the fall line to far northern Alabama, the Appalachian Highlands encompass the hills, valleys, mountains, and plateaus that make up the southern extent of the Appalachian Mountains. This province is further subdivided into the Piedmont, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateaus provinces. [ [http://www.discoveringalabama.org/teachersguides/Geological%20History.pdf] Discovering Alabama; Teacher’s Guide, Geologic History]

Interior Plains

Extreme north Alabama marks the southeast border of the Interior Plains province, characterized by flat or gently rolling terrain. In Alabama, this province generally lies north of the Tennessee River. This province is further divided into the Interior Low Plateaus province.

=Seismology=Alabama experiences frequent small earthquakes detectable only by instruments, and occasional moderate earthquakes large enough to be felt over a wide area and resulting in minor damage. [http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/1208679305170710.xml&coll=2] Faulk, Kent. Alabama isn't immune to earthquakes, scientists say; Birmingham News; April 20, 2008] [ [http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/?region=Alabama] USGS; Earthquake Hazards Program; Regional Information; U.S. Earthquake Information by State; Alabama] The largest earthquake in recorded Alabama history measured an estimated magnitude of 5.1 and occurred October 18, 1916 near Irondale and resulted in widespread panic, damage to structures, and dramatic changes in water well levels. [ [http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/events/1916_10_18.php] USGS; Earthquake Hazards Program; Regional Information; U.S. Earthquake Information by State; Alabama; Largest Earthquake in Alabama] Since 1886, slightly more than 10 percent of earthquakes with an epicenter in Alabama have been an estimated magnitude 3 or greater. The April 29, 2003 earthquake centered near Fort Payne, Alabama was felt over a wide area and received extensive media coverage. [ [http://www.gsa.state.al.us/gsa/geologichazards/earthquakes/index.html] Geological Survey of Alabama; Geologic Hazards Program; Earthquakes] Two fault zones are found in Alabama, the Southern Appalachian Seismic Zone (also known as the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone) in northeast and central Alabama, and the Bahamas Fracture Seismic Zone in southwest Alabama. Alabama also lies within the influence of the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the South Carolina Seismic Zone, earthquakes in those zones have resulted in damage in Alabama. The northeast corner of the state is subject to the greatest peak accelerations due to the presence of the East Tennessee Seismic Zone. [ [http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/alabama/hazards.php] USGS; Alabama; Seismic Hazard Map]

=Natural resources=Alabama’s abundant natural mineral resources include commercially viable deposits of coal, oil, natural gas, and various minerals such as limestone and marble. [ [http://www.gsa.state.al.us/] Geological Survey of Alabama] The Cahaba Basin and Black Warrior Basin in central Alabama produce coalbed methane. Extensive oil and gas deposits have been developed in the southern portion of the state, Mobile Bay, and coastal state waters. [ [http://www.gsa.state.al.us/ogb/ogb.html] Alabama Oil and Gas Board]

=Meteor crater=A meteor crater over five miles in diameter was identified near Wetumpka, Alabama in 1969-1970. Conclusive evidence of the origin of the Wetumpka Impact Crater was found by Auburn University geology professor David T. King in 1998. [ [http://www.unb.ca/passc/ImpactDatabase/images/wetumpka.htm] Earth Impact Database. Retrieved on April 24, 2008]

=References=

ee also

*Basic geologic features of each state
*Geology of the Appalachians

=External links=
* [http://www.gsa.state.al.us/] Geological Survey of Alabama
* [http://homepage.mac.com/jpashin/AGS.htm] Alabama Geological Society
* [http://www.auburn.edu/cosam/departments/geology_geography/] Auburn University; Department of Geology and Geography
* [http://www.geo.ua.edu/] University of Alabama; Department of Geological Sciences
* [http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/last_event_states/states_alabama.html] USGS; Latest Earthquake in Alabama
* [http://www.geo.ua.edu/algeomap.php] University of Alabama; Department of Geological Sciences; Geology of Alabama in Sections (map)

United States topic
title = Geology of the United States by political division
prefix = Geology of