This is part of the extraordinary outcrops of metamorphic rocks exposed along I 26 from Ashville towards Johnson City just north of the North Carolina- Tennessee border. Some of the photographs are of the loose blocks of metamamorphic rock used as rip-rap fill, probably from local quarries and nearby road cuts.

The geology exposed along roadside from Ashville NC to Johnson City TN is spectacular but without geologic maps can be confusing. Great road side maps that are likely to help are published by the AAPG and also the Amateur Geologist home site is a really good source for maps too, at equally reasonable prices!