T152 Expanding Geoheritage Awareness in North America

Wednesday, 28 October 2020
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Meeting Rooms

THE INTERNATIONAL APPALACHIAN TRAIL: A GEOHERITAGE RESOURCE SPANNING THE NORTH ATLANTIC

Paper number: T152-10
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

Formed 500-250 million years ago, the Appalachian Mountain system spans the eastern margin of North America, with former Appalachian terranes distributed by rifting around the North Atlantic basin. Picking up where the long-established Appalachian Trail ends, the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) was founded on “Earth Day,” 4/22/1994 in Maine with the intent to establish a framework of long-distance hiking trails along the Appalachian terranes scattered around the Atlantic region. From its inception, the founders recognized the geological underpinnings of the IAT and have engaged a team of dedicated international earth scientists to advance this unique recreational, cultural, and educational resource. Through this strong team, the IAT now includes 21 Chapters representing an estimated 12,000 miles of trail around the North Atlantic.

Throughout human history, the geological foundations of our landscape have determined the location of settlements, trade routes, and human migratory paths, inextricably linking our culture to geology. With advances in communications over the past several decades, an ever-widening international audience has benefited from instantaneous information on geological events and discoveries. Consequently, geological literacy among non-scientists has probably never been greater. With its mission to advance recreation, tourism and education, and to support rural economic development, the IAT is poised to tap into and expand that geological literacy.

The development of the IAT continues to be a work in progress as individual Chapters: (1) construct a long-distance walking trail; (2) locate the IAT within areas that have been identified by geologists as having been part of the ancient Appalachian/Caledonian landscape; (3) locate the IAT so that it connects to the bordering Chapters; (4) make available to the public map and trail descriptions of the IAT via the internet; (5) produce educational web site materials; and (6) actively engage in economic development discussions in trail communities.

The IAT provides an excellent opportunity for earth scientists to participate in this unique recreational/educational project and to engage the public in a discussion of the geological foundations of modern society.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 52, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2020AM-358299

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