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Listed below are some of the
topics about Illinois earth history that are discussed and listed
in this site. The topics are arranged in chronological order. Select
the link to which you would like to connect.
Paleogeography:
Maps that show what the positions of the continents were in during
several period of earth history. top
Cascade-Style
volcanics : Mt St. Helens is an example of the Cascade-style
volcanics that Illinois experienced 1.5 billion years ago.top
New
Madrid Earthquake Zone: This zone of weakness formed about 1
billion years ago. This site discusses the large earthquake that
took place over 100 years ago along that weak zone. top
Stromatolites:
Stromatolites are among the earliest life forms on earth. This site
explains what they are. top
Starved
Rock: Although the carving out of Starved Rock and Mattheison
State Parks in more recent, the rocks that form them are ancient.top
Reefs:
During the Silurian time Illinois was tropical and was a reef environment.top
Devonian:
The Devonian time was not too exciting in Illinois, but important
changes in life forms were occuring.top
Lead
and Zinc: These mineral deposits occur in NW Illinois, SW Wisconsin
and NE Iowa.top
Caves
and Karst: Caves and Karst topography are common in the Mississippian
rocks of Illinois.top
Coal
Age: See what Springfield may have looked during the Coal Age.
top
Coal
Museum: Do a virtual tour of the now closed Illinois Coal Museum.top
Mazon
Creek: Mazon Creek is a site of many fossils from the Coal Age,
including the state fossil, the Tulley
Monster.top
Meteor
Crater: Millions of years ago a meteorite hit near Chicago.
top
Fluorite:
While dinosaurs were becoming extinct, Illinois experienced volcanics
and fluorite deposits.top
Ice
Age: The Ice Age profoundly affected the Illinois landscape,
covering the state with till, and loess.
top
Mammoths:
Wooly mammoths and many other now extinct mammals roam the Ice Age
plains of Illinois. top
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