Clingmans Dome - Geology

Geology

Clingmans Dome, like most of the Smokies, consists of a type of lightly metamorphosed sedimentary rock (especially sandstone) that is part of a formation known as the Ocoee Supergroup. These rocks were created from ancient ocean sediments nearly one billion years ago. Although a dense forest understory covers most of the mountain, this rock type is noticeable in rock outcroppings and in a large boulder pile at the Forney Ridge Parking Lot at the end of Clingmans Dome Road. The actual age of the mountains is somewhat speculative, but they are among the oldest in the world, created approximately 200-300 million years ago in the Alleghenian orogeny.

Clingmans Dome has two subpeaks: 6,560-foot (2,000 m) Mount Buckley to the west and 6,400-foot (1,950 m) Mount Love to the east. The headwaters of several substantial streams are located on the slopes of Clingmans Dome, namely Little River on the north slope, and Forney Creek and Noland Creek (both tributaries of the Tuckasegee River) on the south slope. The mountain is located entirely within the Tennessee River watershed.