Blue Ridge
Sunset, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park
Within the Appalachian Mountain Range, the Blue Ridge Mountains are among the oldest in the world. Formed over 300 million years ago when the North American and European continents collided, the range was once as high as the Alps. Time and weather have eroded it, and the highest peak, Mt. Mitchell, is now under 7000 ft (2100 m) - less than half the height of the tallest Alpine peaks.
The blue color of the distant mountains is from the release of Isoprene, a hydrocarbon produced in trees and other plants. The aerosols created by Isoprene form a haze that scatters sunlight and is thought to create a sort of natural sunscreen for the trees.
Blue Ridge
Sunset, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park
Within the Appalachian Mountain Range, the Blue Ridge Mountains are among the oldest in the world. Formed over 300 million years ago when the North American and European continents collided, the range was once as high as the Alps. Time and weather have eroded it, and the highest peak, Mt. Mitchell, is now under 7000 ft (2100 m) - less than half the height of the tallest Alpine peaks.
The blue color of the distant mountains is from the release of Isoprene, a hydrocarbon produced in trees and other plants. The aerosols created by Isoprene form a haze that scatters sunlight and is thought to create a sort of natural sunscreen for the trees.