An Inland Sea

An Inland Sea

The rocks of the Valley and Ridge Province formed in a setting very different from that of the Ocoee Basin. For millions of years, a vast, shallow, inland sea covered the area. Shells and other hard parts of ancient marine plants and animals accumulated to form limey deposits that later became limestone.

The weathering of limestone now exposed at the land surface produces the lime-rich soils that are so prevalent in the fertile farmland of the Ridge and Valley Province. Limestone is important in the economy of the region because of its use in building and road construction, agriculture, and many other activities.