Maryland Geological Survey

Maryland's Geologic Features

Dans Rock, Allegany County

contact: Dale Shelton (dshelton@mgs.md.gov)

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This picture was taken by David Brezinski in January, 1997.

Dans Rock is the highest point in Allegany County, western Maryland, at 2898 feet above sea level. This mountain was named for Daniel Cresap, an 18th century local historic figure. Dans Rock is an outcrop of the Pottsville formation on Dans Mountain. . The Pottsville contains sandstones, siltstones, claystones, shales, and several coal beds. These rocks date to the Pennsylvanian Period and are about 300 million years old.

The erosion resistant quatzite member of the Pottsville formation is a major ridge-maker in western Maryland. Nearby Dans Mountain State Park and Dans Mountain Wildlife Management Area, offer excellent recreational opportunities. For more information on Maryland's mountains follow this link to FactSheet 9: Maryland's five highest waterfalls and mountains.

Photos by Shannon Windows, 2008