Hanging Rock and Wabash Reef National Natural Landmark, Natural landmark in Wabash County, United States
Hanging Rock and Wabash Reef is a natural formation in Indiana that rises 75 feet (23 m) above the Wabash River and displays a fossilized coral reef from the Silurian Period. The 4-acre site shows a limestone structure with a wide base spanning roughly 200 feet (61 m) along the river's edge.
The rock formation dates back to the Silurian Period, roughly 420 million years ago, revealing an ancient ocean environment that once covered this region. The site received National Natural Landmark protection in 1986 to preserve this significant geological location.
Local indigenous groups and early settlers recognized this rock as an important landmark for navigation along the river. People relied on it for finding their way through the valley for centuries.
A short trail of roughly 0.2 miles loops around the base of the rock and is open from sunrise to sunset for visitors to explore. The site is managed by Acres Land Trust, which provides on-site information and guidance for those exploring the landmark.
The top of the rock formation overhangs dramatically due to river erosion, jutting roughly 65 feet above the Wabash Valley floor. This unusual shape made it a recognizable landmark that people noticed and used as a vantage point long before it received official protection.
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