Mole Hill, Volcanic landform in Rockingham County, Virginia
Mole Hill is a volcanic landform in Rockingham County that rises approximately 577 meters (1,893 feet) above sea level. The dark basalt formation displays distinctive hexagonal columns created by ancient cooling lava.
This volcanic structure formed about 47 million years ago during the Eocene epoch. It remains one of the most recent volcanic formations along North America's eastern coast.
Mole Hill serves as a research site for James Madison University students and professors who study its geological composition and volcanic origins.
The hill sits west of Harrisonburg and attracts geology students and nature enthusiasts. Visitors should expect steep terrain and bring appropriate footwear for uneven ground.
The basalt surface contains green pyroxene and yellowish-brown olivine crystals visible when examining the rock. These minerals distinguish this formation from other volcanic structures along the eastern coast.
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