Unraveling the Juniata Culmination, Valley and Ridge Province, Appalachian Mountains, PA: Implications for Fold-Thrust Development

Abstract

A new roadcut along US 22/322 in north-central Pennsylvania exposes a ‘profile plane’ cross-section through the Juniata culmination, Pennsylvania Valley and Ridge fold-thrust belt. Currently, there are two end-case models for the development of the Valley and Ridge. The Juniata culmination holds clues to which model, if any, fits best. Fracture patterns and several orders of folds preserved within the culmination suggest that the Valley and Ridge formed via a one-stage model. This information can help to understand the development of Fold and Thrust Belts (FTBs) and provide insight into the formation of culminations, in general.