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The Wichita Mountains are an ancient mountain range located in southwestern Oklahoma. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, a favorite for Southwest Oklahoma hikers and mountain climbers, is located adjacent to Medicine Park, Oklahoma and 25 miles northwest of Lawton, Oklahoma. Buffalo, elk and deer are protected on the refuge, making it a great place to see buffalo up close and personal. Surrounded by prairie, the refuge's mountains and lakes provide a welcome break in terrain.
Geology
The geologic history of the Wichita Mountain region began with the deposition of late Precambrian to early Cambrian sandstones. These sandstones were intruded by coarse gabbro sills of about 575 million years ago as the region began to rift apart in a failed continental breakup. The gabbro intrusion was followed by erosion and further intrusion of granite accompanied by volcanic eruptions of rhyolite lava and explosive volcanic breccias some 50 million years later. Following these igneous episodes the region subsided and shallow sea sediments were deposited over the area consisting of sandstones and limestones.
During the Pennsylvanian Period (330-290 million years ago) the region was subjected to intense pressure during the continental collision or orogeny which produced the Ouachita Mountains to the east. This resulted in faulting and folding along with up to 20,000 feet of local uplift. This uplift created rugged mountains which have been reduced to their present state by subsequent erosion. The highest peak in the Wichita Range is Mount Scott (2,464 feet; 750 m.). A paved road leads to the mountain's summit, from which visitors can see for dozens of miles on a clear day.
References
External links
"Wichita Mountains"