Cumberland Plateau

Cumberland Plateau
Kmusser · CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
Name	Cumberland Plateau
Location	United States, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia

Cumberland Plateau. The Cumberland Plateau is a USGS-defined physiographic province located in the eastern part of the United States, covering parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia. It is a significant part of the larger Appalachian Plateau and is characterized by its unique karst topography, with numerous caves, sinkholes, and rock formations similar to those found in Mammoth Cave National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The plateau is also home to several notable rivers, including the Cumberland River, Tennessee River, and Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, which flow through NPS-managed areas like Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Obed Wild and Scenic River.

Geography

The Cumberland Plateau is situated in the southeastern part of the United States, stretching across Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia. It covers an area of approximately 18,000 square miles, with its highest point being Cumberland Mountain, which is part of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. The plateau is bounded by the Great Smoky Mountains to the east, the Tennessee Valley to the south, and the Ohio River to the north, with notable cities like Knoxville, Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Lexington, Kentucky located nearby. The region is also home to several notable lakes, including Dale Hollow Lake, Lake Cumberland, and Center Hill Lake, which are managed by the USACE and offer recreational opportunities like fishing and boating.

Geology

The Cumberland Plateau is characterized by its unique geology, with a mix of sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks, and metamorphic rocks that are similar to those found in other Appalachian regions like the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. The plateau is composed of limestone, sandstone, and shale, with numerous caves and rock formations like those found in Mammoth Cave National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The region is also home to several notable mineral deposits, including coal, iron ore, and copper, which have been mined by companies like Arch Coal and Peabody Energy in areas like the Appalachian coal region. The plateau's unique geology has also created a variety of landforms, including arches, natural bridges, and rock shelters, which are protected by organizations like the NPS and the USFS.

Climate

The Cumberland Plateau has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers similar to those found in other southeastern United States regions like Florida and Louisiana. The region experiences significant precipitation throughout the year, with an average annual rainfall of over 50 inches, which is managed by organizations like the NWS and the USGS. The plateau is also prone to severe weather events, including tornadoes, thunderstorms, and blizzards, which can impact cities like Nashville, Tennessee, and Knoxville, Tennessee. The region's climate is influenced by its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, with notable weather patterns like the Bermuda High and the Polar front affecting the area.

Ecology

The Cumberland Plateau is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands that are similar to those found in other Appalachian regions like the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The region is characterized by its unique biodiversity, with numerous plant species and animal species that are found nowhere else in the world, including the black bear, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey. The plateau is also home to several notable parks and wildlife refuges, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and Obed Wild and Scenic River, which are managed by organizations like the NPS and the USFWS. The region's ecology is influenced by its unique geology and climate, with notable ecological processes like succession and nutrient cycling occurring in the area.

Human History

The Cumberland Plateau has a rich and diverse human history, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years to the time of Native American tribes like the Cherokee and Creek. The region was also home to several notable explorers and settlers, including Daniel Boone and John Sevier, who played a significant role in the region's history. The plateau was also the site of several notable battles and events, including the American Civil War and the Coal Creek War, which involved companies like the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company and the UMWA. The region's human history is preserved in several notable museums and historic sites, including the Tennessee State Museum and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, which are managed by organizations like the NPS and the Tennessee Historical Society.

Economy

The Cumberland Plateau has a diverse economy, with significant contributions from agriculture, mining, and tourism industries like those found in other Appalachian regions like West Virginia and Kentucky. The region is home to several notable farms and ranches, including those that produce tobacco, cattle, and poultry, which are supported by organizations like the USDA and the Tennessee Farm Bureau. The plateau is also rich in natural resources, including coal, iron ore, and copper, which are mined by companies like Arch Coal and Peabody Energy. The region's economy is also driven by tourism, with numerous parks, museums, and historic sites that attract visitors from around the world, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, which are managed by organizations like the NPS and the USFS.