Explore the geological forces and natural phenomena that shaped the Great Smoky Mountains over millions of years, from ancient collisions to the iconic 'blue smoke'.
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Mountains Older Than the Rockies
This series, The Ancient Peaks, traces the geological journey of the Great Smoky Mountains — from their violent origins to the landscape you see today.
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1
Continental Crashes That Built These Peaks
The rock beneath these ridges once sat at the bottom of an ancient ocean.
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2
Water and Wind Wore Mountains Down
These peaks once stood as tall as the modern Alps, possibly reaching elevations above fifteen thousand feet.
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3
Why These Mountains Wear Blue Haze
The Cherokee called this place Shaconage — land of the blue smoke. That name isn't poetic exaggeration.
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4
Two Thousand Miles of Flowing Water
More than 2,100 miles of streams cut through this park, making it one of the most water-rich landscapes in North America.
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5
Cades Cove's Upside Down Geology
The rocks on the floor of Cades Cove are younger than the rocks towering above it on every side — which breaks a basic rule of geology.
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