Chapter 8: Bypassed East

The Great Smoky Mountains help characterize Tennessee. These mountains are also referred to as the Blue Ridge mountains. The mountain ridge on the east side of the state have a blue hue to them during the evening, giving the mountain range their name. The Blue Ridge mountain range averages at 5,000 feet above sea level, although Tennessee is not predominantly known for its mountains. 

Blue Mountain range in Tennessee

Tennessee is a rather flat state although there the Great Smoky mountains on the east side of the state, the majority of the state is made up of what is called the Gulf Coastal Plain. The state is divided into six different regions however, when speaking area, the Gulf Plain is the obtains the largest amount. This makes the state very flat and perfect for tornados! 

Gulf Coastal Plain, Tennessee

The residents of Tennessee, although somewhat dependent on coal, are against the destruction of their land in order to mine it. To get to the coal mountain would be destroyed and landscapes ruined. Unfortunately the state leans heavily on its coal. In 2010 Tennessee was reported the eighth most coal dependent states in the U.S. In fact the state spent $1.2 billion on coal imports in 2008, that alone allows anyone to see how much the state relies on its coal. Coal mining began in the 1850's when the Nashville and Chattanooga railroads were built allowing the coal to be transferred. The state used to be the top producer of coal, however its rank has since diminished. 

In order to make pottery, you need clay. That clay can also be used to make silverware, floor tiles, bathroom tiles, and wall tiles. The nations main producer of this clay is Tennessee. Ball clay is a mineral that Tennessee produces, it makes up roughly 4% of the annual mineral production value in the state. 

Sources:

http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/tn_geography.htm
http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/geography/m_1
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_and_coal
http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/king/ill359.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/04/epa-objects-to-permits-for-three-more-mountaintop-removal-coal-mining-operations.php
http://www.tn.gov/environment/tdg/mineralind.shtml
http://www.unimin.com/essential-minerals.cfm