Maryland's Geologic Features
Sideling Hill, Washington County
contact: Dale Shelton (dshelton@mgs.md.gov)
One of the best rock exposures in Maryland and indeed in the entire northeastern United States is located approximately 6 miles west of Hancock in Washington County, where Interstate 68 cuts through Sideling Hill. Almost 810 feet of strata in a tightly folded syncline are exposed in this road cut. Although other exposures may surpass Sideling Hill in either thickness of exposed strata or in quality of geologic structure, few can equal its combination of both. This exposure is an excellent outdoor classroom where students of geology can observe and examine various sedimentary rock types, structural features, and geomorphic relationships.
The Sideling
Hill Exhibit Center, along Interstate Route 68 at the base of Sideling
Hill, is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources State Forest
and Park Service, in cooperation with the Maryland Geological Survey, the
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, and the
Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Office of Tourism
Development.
The Maryland State Highways Administration had determined that the Sideling Hill Visitor Center will be permanently closed after August 24, 2009. Additionally, all tours of the Sideling Hill road cut will cease as of August 7, 2009. The parking lot, paved walkways, observation bridge and restrooms will remain open. DNR regrets the loss of educational resources at this premier earth science site.
Also, you can read about "The Geology of Sideling Hill". There are many web pages devoted to Sideling Hill. Use you favorite search engine to find them.