Blue Ridge Mountains

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/blue-ridge-mountains

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is the Blue Ridge Mountains?Approximately 550 miles (885 km) in length
2. What is the location?Eastern United States, extending from southern Pennsylvania to northern Georgia
3. What is the geological composition?Primarily ancient metamorphic and igneous rocks
4. Why do the Blue Ridge Mountains look blue from far away?The mountains look blue because trees release a gas called isoprene that mixes with sunlight and creates a blue haze.
5. How long is the Blue Ridge Mountains range?The range stretches about 550 miles, starting in southern Pennsylvania and ending in Georgia.

Physiographic Province: A distinct geographical region characterized by specific landforms and geological history.
Isoprene: A volatile organic compound emitted by vegetation that contributes to atmospheric haze and the characteristic blue color of the mountains.
Appalachian Highlands: A major mountain system in eastern North America, comprising several distinct physiographic provinces including the Blue Ridge Mountains.