Toxaway Dome

Location

The Toxaway Dome is located along highway 64 three miles west of Safori in South Carolina.  Included at the site is a road cut along the highway and also in and around the Toxaway Falls which are located below the road cut. 

Note:  The falls are part of a dome.  For this reason they gradually drop off and can be very dangerous.  Good advise would be to stay a safe distance behind the edge of the falls.

Prof. Boundy gives a description of the geology & location of Toxaway to the class. (Special thanks to Dr. Robert Hatcher for the detailed geologic maps)

Geology

The Toxaway Dome consists of approximately 1.2 Ga Gneiss basement rock.  This rock unit was later deformed during the Taconic at approximately 460 Ma.  The falls are at most approximately a 60 foot drop.  Behind the falls there are excellent examples of “potholes.” 

To the left is a perfect example of the potholes seen at Toxaway Falls.  The flow swirls around creating a depresion over time.

(Click on "Pothole" Picture to view video feed!!!)

Above is a nice example of the Gneiss found at Toxaway Dome.

Below is a view of the class venturing below HWY-64 along the edge of flow to access the falls.  The falls can also be accessed from atop the highway across from the road cut.