Foreword Open Access

The GSA Connects 2023 meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, offers field-trip opportunities covering a diverse range of geologic time and processes from the Paleozoic to Recent within the Appalachian Plateaus and the Valley and Ridge provinces.

Glaciation, both Paleozoic and Pleistocene, is a focus of several chapters. Examination of Upper Devonian diamictites in West Virginia (Chapter 1, Ettensohn et al.) gives insights into a glaciogenic succession influenced by a blend of eustatic sea-level changes and tectonic processes. Chapter 6 (Zelt and Fleeger) describes geological aspects of the Lake Erie shoreline, discussing interpretations of the Paleozoic bedrock and the influence of Pleistocene glaciation and modern processes on its ongoing development. Chapter 7 (Kavage Adams et al.) explores periglacial features in southwestern Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland, and examines glacial lake and peat deposits along with occurrences of Pleistocene fauna in caves.

Chapters that address the interplay of geology and climate in shaping the landscape include Chapter 3 (Zelt et al.), which describes the geologic features of Ohiopyle State Park with interpretations of the depositional environments of Pennsylvanian sandstone and Pleistocene–Holocene knickpoint migration and waterfall retreat. Chapter 5 (Riddell et al.) integrates geological investigations of underlying Paleozoic bedrock with hydrological studies of Fernow Experimental Forest, which is a protected Appalachian headwater mountain watershed in West Virginia. Chapter 4 (Lang et al.) discusses Alleghenian deformation in Upper Devonian bedrock and suggests possible tectonism that postdates Wisconsin glaciation. This chapter also examines mass-wasting processes along the southern shore of Lake Erie.

Two chapters address aspects of cultural geology. Chapter 2 (Zelt et al.) explores one of Frank Loyd Wright’s most significant designs, Fallingwater, and discusses its geologic setting and the depositional history of the Pennsylvanian sandstone that was used in its construction. Chapter 8 (Hannibal et al.) reviews the geological and cultural setting of Youngstown, Ohio, and describes the building, decorative, and monumental stones used for a variety of structures in its downtown area.

We greatly appreciate the efforts of field-trip leaders and authors in the planning and development of these excursions for GSA Connects 2023. Special thanks to the chapter reviewers who graciously offered their time and expertise. In addition, the publications staff at GSA provided valuable support and assistance in working with authors to finalize the chapters for this volume.

Brett McLaurin

August 2023