Last updated: June 20, 2024
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NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Friendship Hill National Historic Site, Pennsylvania
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
Friendship Hill National Historic Site (FRHI) is located in the Appalachian Plateau on the Monongahela River near Point Marion in Fayette County, southwestern Pennsylvania. Authorized as an NPS unit on November 10, 1978, FRHI encompasses approximately 273 hectares (675 acres) set aside to commemorate the home and invaluable contributions of former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin (Anderson 2017). Gallatin, a Swiss emigrant and Treasury Secretary under Presidents Jefferson and Madison, worked to reduce the national debt, purchase the expansive Louisiana Territory, and fund Lewis and Clark’s famous expedition. In addition to cultural resources such as Gallatin House and its grounds, FRHI preserves land near the junction of three sections in the Appalachian Plateau physiographic province: the Waynesburg Hills, Pittsburgh Low Plateau, and Allegheny Mountain sections (Thornberry-Ehrlich 2008b).
Geologic Setting
The bedrock geology of the FRHI area consists primarily of sedimentary rocks of the Pennsylvanian (~320–300 million years ago) and Quaternary Periods (<2.58 million years ago) (Figure 23). Geologic units at FRHI are generally flat-lying, undeformed sequences of sandstones, limestones, claystones, conglomerates, dolomites, and shales that contain fossils, commercially viable coals, and some iron- and sulfide-rich minerals (Thornberry-Ehrlich 2008b). The landscape west of FRHI is decorated with the rolling hills and steep valleys of Monongahela and Dunkard townships, including Durrs Knob, Rocky Hollow, and Mundell Hollow. East of the historic site, Hardin, Bartons, and Victor Hollows rise steeply towards Chestnut Ridge (Thornberry-Ehrlich 2008b).
Regional Geology
Friendship Hill National Historic Site is a part of the Appalachain 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 2868. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for Friendship Hill National Historic Site and can be found on the NPS Data Store.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 2937. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
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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.