Geology of Pennsylvania

Scenes of Pennsylvania: from lower left, then clockwise: Ames Limestone, kame terrace, Presque Isle, Hyner View, Bushkill Falls, Hickory Run State Park (Boulder Field), White Rocks, and (center) Whaleback.

Pennsylvania is enriched with many scenic geologic features and a strong geologic heritage. Survey geologists and cooperators are actively researching and mapping the geology across Pennsylvania, and are also actively researching the subsurface of Pennsylvania. Efforts are being made to continually provide information on the Survey's investigations. Selected research geology abstracts and papers from conferences and publications also are posted here.

Pennsylvania possesses a wide range of landforms from mountains to lowlands. To learn more about the state's landforms and their geologic origins, select our web page on landforms. There are many sites in Pennsylvania that you may visit to view geologic features and to learn about the geologic heritage of our state. These sites include State Parks where exceptional geologic features are preserved. To learn about geologic features at Pennsylvania's State Parks, click on Trail of Geology, which includes guides to selected state parks, or take a virtual tour on one of our field trips.