Geology | Aurora Fossil Museum

Geology, Aurora Phosphate Mine, NC Coastal Plain, NC Minerals

North Carolina is divided into three physiographic provinces. A physiographic province is defined as a region in which all parts are similar in geologic structure and climate and which has had a unified geomorphic history.



The physiographic provinces in North Carolina consist of: The Blue Ridge, The Piedmont, and The Coastal Plain. Although the coastal plain can also be subdivided into inner coastal plain and outer coastal plain, for simplicity, the term, "coastal plain" used herein applies to the whole.

The Blue Ridge Province is located in the western region of North Carolina and is a component of the southern Appalachians. It is a mountainous region with a rugged character and contains the highest mountains in Eastern North America. Elevations in the Blue Ridge can exceed 6000 feet above sea level!

The Piedmont Province is located between the Blue Ridge and Coastal Plain provinces. It consists of rolling, well-rounded hills and ridges.Elevations in the Piedmont range from 1500 feet above sea level (at the Blue Ridge Province) to 300 to 600 feet above sea level (where it meets the Coastal Plain Province).



The Coastal Plain Province is located in the eastern region of North Carolina, it covers nearly 45% of the state's land area and consists of stair-step-like planar terraces that gently dip seaward. Elevations range from 300 to 600 feet above sea level to sea level. The Inner Coastal Plain Province includes the Fall Zone, which is the boundary between the Piedmont and Inner Coastal Plain provinces. This zone represents the geomorphic break between the resistant rocks of the Piedmont and the easily eroded sediments of the Coastal Plain. The Outer Coastal Plain Province is characterized by flat, poorly drained low-lying land. Aurora is located in the Outer Coastal Plain Province.



Map and info from:
Physiography of North Carolina. North Carolina Geological Survey, 2004