Educational Series 9. The Geology of Whitewater State Park

Abstract

Many attractions of Whitewater State Park are related to its geology. The scenic bluffs, caves, and even the cold streams that support a thriving trout population are all related to a geologic history that spans hundreds of millions of years. You can understand the geology of Whitewater State Park even if you do not have a background in geology. You need only be familiar with the processes of erosion and deposition, and the geologic time scale. Erosion is the natural process whereby water and other agents break down rocks and soil and shape the land. It can be chemical, as when mildly acid water dissolves limestone, or mechanical, as when wind blows away the soil or rainwater washes it away. Deposition is the accumulation of particles into layers, or beds, as small grains are dropped by wind or settle in water to form sandstone, or as elements dissolved in water, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, precipitate to form limestone or dolomite.