What lies beneath influences what we see on top.
Land formations may not be foremost in the minds of people as they travel, but these features influence the weather, plant, animal and human life present. The lands hosting these formations are often preserved and protected, to provide recreation opportunities in the heart of nature for the public. South Carolina has several important land formations and travelers can experience them easily, simply by visiting destinations such as Table Rock State Park and some of South Carolina's bigger cities.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Travelers to South Carolina can visit the oldest mountains in America: the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. These mountains are folded mountains, producing ridges that run parallel to one another and steep valleys that extend deep into the land. The mountains affect the weather pattern in states all along the East Coast. Appalachian culture formed in part due to the land itself. The rugged terrain influenced social trends, determined economic opportunities and often forced residents to make due with what was at hand to survive. The Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway follows the mountains and eight parks protect the land and provide recreational activities to the public.
Piedmont Plateau
The Encyclopaedia Britannica says the hills of the Piedmont Plateau were once mountains of granite and igneous rocks. The fall line is the term for the boundary of separation between the plateau and the coastal plain, where the soil changes from the rocky loam and clay-loam plateau soils to other soil types. Located in the central portion of South Carolina, the many large cities of the state included in this area suffer hot temperatures due to the plateau's placement--too low in elevation and too far from the coast to gain the cooling benefits those regions experience.
The Sandhills
South Carolina has large hills of sand deposits that are remnants of the time when the state's coastline used to be in a completely different place. Sand Hills State Forest protects some of these lands, and visitors can camp, hike and ride horses in the park to view them. The park land includes Sugarloaf Mountain. The mountain itself is made up of sand and the land is home to species that have adapted to the unique terrain and vegetation present. The South Carolina Forestry Commission lists the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, the Pine Barrens Treefrog and pixie moss among the rare and endangered plants and animals present in the area. North Carolina State University and the State Climate Office of North Carolina paired to provide research that indicates the region is more prone to thunderstorms because of the interaction of heat and moisture caused by the sand.
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