Last updated: June 17, 2024
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NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Kentucky and Tennessee
Geodiversity refers to the full variety of natural geologic (rocks, minerals, sediments, fossils, landforms, and physical processes) and soil resources and processes that occur in the park. A product of the Geologic Resources Inventory, the NPS Geodiversity Atlas delivers information in support of education, Geoconservation, and integrated management of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of the ecosystem.
Introduction
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BISO) is located in the Cumberland Plateau in parts of southeastern Kentucky (McCreary County) and north-central Tennessee (Fentress, Morgan, Pickett, and Scott Counties). Encompassing approximately 50,051 hectares (123,679 acres), BISO protects and preserves the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries (Anderson 2017). Authorized as a park unit on May 7, 1974, BISO was designated as both a national river and national recreation area to preserve the area and offer recreational opportunities. BISO offers miles of scenic gorges, sandstone bluffs, arches, mesas, and a variety of natural and historic features.
Geologic Setting
The geology of BISO predominantly consists of sedimentary rocks that date back to the Pennsylvanian and Mississippian (~360–300 million years ago). Pennsylvanian rocks are predominantly sandstone and shale, and include also siltstone, conglomerate, and coal. The rocks have been weathered to form an impressive array of formations, including arches, chimneys, cliffs, coves, cracks, and mesas. Underlying Mississippian-age units consist predominantly of limestones that contain oil and gas deposits both within and outside the boundaries of BISO. The landscape of BISO is characterized by a dendritic river drainage pattern and narrow, V-shaped gorges with river valleys dotted by huge boulders that have broken from the cliff faces. The rivers and streams at BISO consist of stretches of rugged, whitewater rapids and quiet pools. A focal point of the recreation area is the Big South Fork River gorge with its sheer cliffs towering over forested talus slopes.
Regional Geology
Big South Fork National River Recreation Area is a part of the Appalachian Plateaus Physiographic Province and shares its geologic history and some characteristic geologic formations with a region that extends well beyond park boundaries.
The Geologic Resources Inventory produces digital geologic maps and reports for more than 270 natural resource parks. The products listed below are currently available for this park, check back often for updates as many maps, reports, and posters are still in progress.
- Scoping summaries are records of scoping meetings where NPS staff and local geologists determined the park’s geologic mapping plan and what content should be included in the report.
- Digital geologic maps include files for viewing in GIS software, a guide to using the data, and a document with ancillary map information. Newer products also include data viewable in Google Earth and online map services.
- Reports use the maps to discuss the park’s setting and significance, notable geologic features and processes, geologic resource management issues, and geologic history.
- Posters are a static view of the GIS data in PDF format. Newer posters include aerial imagery or shaded relief and other park information. They are also included with the reports.
- Projects list basic information about the program and all products available for a park.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 3408. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area and can be found on the NPS Data Store.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 3409. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
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National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas
The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on geoheritage and geodiversity resources and values within the National Park System. This information supports science-based geoconservation and interpretation in the NPS, as well as STEM education in schools, museums, and field camps. The NPS Geologic Resources Division and many parks work with National and International geoconservation communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available.