Hanging Rock National Natural Landmark
Encyclopedia
Hanging Rock National Natural Landmark is a 1 acres (4,046.9 m²) site in Wabash County
, Indiana
that was designated a National Natural Landmark
in May, 1986. The site, located on the southern bank of the Wabash River
near the town of Lagro
, contains an impressive natural exposure of fossilized coral reef
dating from the Silurian Period
some 400 million years ago. The limestone reef deposit rises 75 feet (22.9 m) above the river and is being undercut by it, giving the site its "hanging" appearance.
Hanging Rock is owned by Acres Land Trust, and is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Fishing and littering at Hanging Rock are prohibited.
Wabash County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,960 people, 13,215 households, and 9,395 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 14,034 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
that was designated a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
in May, 1986. The site, located on the southern bank of the Wabash River
Wabash River
The Wabash River is a river in the Midwestern United States that flows southwest from northwest Ohio near Fort Recovery across northern Indiana to southern Illinois, where it forms the Illinois-Indiana border before draining into the Ohio River, of which it is the largest northern tributary...
near the town of Lagro
Lagro, Indiana
Lagro is a town in Lagro Township, Wabash County, Indiana, United States. Lagro was established by a group of explorers looking for the treasure of Chief Le Gris of the great Miami tribe...
, contains an impressive natural exposure of fossilized coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
dating from the Silurian Period
Silurian
The Silurian is a geologic period and system that extends from the end of the Ordovician Period, about 443.7 ± 1.5 Mya , to the beginning of the Devonian Period, about 416.0 ± 2.8 Mya . As with other geologic periods, the rock beds that define the period's start and end are well identified, but the...
some 400 million years ago. The limestone reef deposit rises 75 feet (22.9 m) above the river and is being undercut by it, giving the site its "hanging" appearance.
Hanging Rock is owned by Acres Land Trust, and is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Fishing and littering at Hanging Rock are prohibited.
External links
- Acres Land Trust's Virtual Hike of Hanging Rock on Youtube.
- National Park Service Hanging Rock National Natural Landmark