Newfound Gap,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

view
Figure 1. The southern view from Newfound Gap.

 

 
      

        Newfound Gap is located on the Tennessee, North Carolina border, near the center of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Nearly a mile high elevation, the gap is one of the highest points within the park at 5048 ft.. The Appalachian Trail crosses Newfound Gap and quickly drops down into the Oconalufee River Valley to the south, shown above in Figure 1.   

       The rocks at Newfound Gap are part of the Anakeesta Formation, comprised of slate and meta-siltstone.  These rocks have been tilted to a dip of 50° to the southeast (Figures 3 & 5).  The rusty color of these rocks is the result of pyrite oxidation with in the formation, (Moore, 1988).  Except for a few conifer trees (pine trees), little to no vegetation can grow on the gap due to high pH levels produced during this on-going oxidation (Figures 3 & 4).

sign
Figure 2.  Elevation / Stateline sign at the gap.
profile
Figure 3.  Profile of  Newfound  Gap.

 
 rusty
Figure 4.  Rusty coloration of
 rocks due to pyrite oxidation.
 		tilted
Figure 5. Side view of profile showing 50 degree dip of  cleavage plane.  East side of outcrop.


 

 Warning: Do not eat ice or drink water from this outcrop.  May cause serious and possibly permanent health issues such as hyper-activity and may impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle.  Jim hasn't been the same since.

 

References:
 -Moore, Harry L., 1988, A Roadside Guide to the Geology of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
Roadside Guide, 1988

Website design by Don Larimer,
Geo-science undergrad,
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
4-20-2004

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