Indiana’s Three Regions

What is a region? A region is an area that has at least one feature that makes it different from other areas.

Northern Moraine and Lake Region

This region has many moraines. Moraines are hills of soil and rocks made from glaciers.

What makes the Northern Moraine and Lake Region Different? Well, it looks like this! …. and this!

The Northern Moraine and Lakes also have dunes. Dunes are hills of sand built up by wind.

In the Northern Moraine and Lake Region there are many small lakes. These lakes were formed when the glaciers melted and filled lowlands.

Central Till Plain Region

A plain is an area of low, flat land. What is a plain again? A plain is an area of low, flat land.

This region wasn’t always so flat! In fact this region was quite hilly until the glacier hit our state about 16,000 years ago. The glacier was so heavy that as it grew it flattened everything in its path.

One benefit of the glacier flattening the land was the till it left behind. Till is a mixture of clay, sand, and small stones that glaciers left behind as they melt. The till makes very fertile soil.

Southern Hills and Lowlands

The glacier didn’t hit the southern portion of our state. Therefore, it has many hills and lowlands.

Southern Indiana at one time was covered with ocean Southern Indiana at one time was covered with ocean. When plants and animals died, they fell to the bottom of the ocean. Over many years this sediment pressed down and formed limestone. Water wears down limestone over many years and forms caves and sinkholes. Marengo Cave in Southern Indiana

The Southern Hills and Lowlands region has several “lost” rivers The Southern Hills and Lowlands region has several “lost” rivers. They are “lost” because they disappear below the surface of the land and flow mostly underground.

Lost rivers enter underground areas through sinkholes Lost rivers enter underground areas through sinkholes. A sinkhole is an opening in the land that develops when the rock above a cavern collapses.

http://marengocave.com/individuals/the-cave/discovery