Indiana Uplands

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The Indiana Uplands or the Hoosier Uplands are a geographical region in south-central Indiana. On a topographical map the Indiana Uplands begin slightly north of the city of Martinsville, Indiana and continue south to the Ohio River. The description of the region inspired the name of Upland Brewing Company. The region's approximate boundaries are Interstate 65 to the east and U.S. Route 231 to the west. [1] The Uplands are characterized by terrain varying from rolling hills to cliffs, sharp rugged hills and valleys. Nearly all of these hills are composed of sandstone, limestone, and siltstone from West to east. The siltstone hills are the most rugged followed by the sandstone while the limestone are the smoothest. This is contrast to the Tipton Till Plain immediately to the north in central Indiana, which features flat to gently rolling landscape. [2] [3] Interstates 64 and 69 pass through this rugged section of the state with sections of both cut deep into the rock and others towering over the treetops. Overall, the Indiana Uplands have the same basic characteristics of the Pennyrile Region and the Highland Rim and are the northernmost extent of the range.

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Ecoregions

The Indiana Uplands include the following ecoregions: [1] [4]

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The Crawford Upland of Southern Indiana, United States. The western section of the Indiana Uplands, this region contains the hilliest terrain in the state caused by the outcropping of sandstone units at the surface. In some areas erosion cuts through the sandstone layers completely and exposes underlying limestones. The exposure of limestone at the surface in the Crawford Upland results in the formation of caves, dolines, and other surface expressions of karst topography. The alternating sandstones, limestones, and shale of the West Baden and Stephensport groups that compose the Crawford Upland are Mississippian in age. Interstate 64 traverses this section within Perry, Crawford, Harrison, and Floyd Counties.

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References

  1. 1 2 Thom, James Alexander (March 1976). "Indiana's Self-Reliant Uplanders". National Geographic. 149 (3). Washington, DC: National Geographic Society: 340–363.
  2. Hill, John R. "Surficial Geology - Landscapes of Indiana". Indiana Geological Survey. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  3. "Geologic Framework" (PDF). Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  4. Woods, Alan; et al. "Ecoregions of Indiana and Ohio" (PDF). US EPA. Retrieved July 9, 2016.[ permanent dead link ]

38°45′N86°30′W / 38.750°N 86.500°W / 38.750; -86.500