Q. 90: Is it true that continuous sediment layers lie beneath today’s Appalachian Mountains?

CPT Q. #90 – 101 Q&A on Catastrophic Plate Tectonics

Question: 90. Most geologists claim that the formation (orogeny) of the Appalachian Mountains is the result of continental collisions and that they were essentially pushed up from below. The problem with this view is that it is not able to account for the vast, thick (1-2+ miles thick) layer of younger unbroken sediment layers discovered beneath the mountain chain. If the mountains were pushed up from below, then how did the sedimentary layer get beneath it?

Response: I am not familiar with the “younger unbroken sediment layers discovered beneath the mountain chain” which you describe. I deal with the history of the Appalachian region in moderate detail in my response to question 95. Let me refer you to that answer. Perhaps you are referring to the thrust sheets in the Ridge and Valley province in the western part of the belt. Here indeed younger sedimentary rocks do underlie older rock, rock which in some cases has been metamorphosed. Numerous field studies over the past half century offer strong evidence that large thrusts have occurred throughout that part of the Appalachian belt. As to the basic issues of whether large thrusts have actually occurred and the mechanics of how they might occur, please see my response to question 91.