Geology on Display at Foellinger Auditorium
The imposing main entrance faces the Quad.
The pillars adorning the front of Foellinger are crafted of Indiana limestone, also known as Bedford limestone. To architects, this is a high-quality building stone. To geologists, it is known as the Mississippian-age Salem Formation.
The rock has a uniform texture and composition but lacks any preferred direction of splitting, which allows it to be easily shaped. Look closely at the pillars, the decorations, the upper layer of trim, and the railing around the north entrance.
Foellinger exemplifies the structural theme of this campus, with its brick walls and limestone trim. However, most of the older buildings have slate roofs, while the Auditorium roof is composed of copper (oxidized so that it looks green). Ceramic tiles decorate the top of the front facade, and granite provides a durable rock for the foundation and exterior steps.
Top of Foellinger wall
Limestone quarry
This closeup view shows details of the wall above Foellinger’s main entrance off the Quad. You can see brickwork, limestone trim, decorative tiles, and the intricate edge of the copper roof.
Many blocks of Salem Limestone remain in this abandoned quarry in Monroe County, Indiana. During operation, water was pumped out of the quarry, but when the pumps stopped, the hole filled with water. However, there are still some active quarries excavating Salem Limestone.
Further geological information about the Salem Limestone
Sources
- Hill, 2011, Indiana Limestone
- http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monroe_County_-_flooded_quarry_-_DSCF7264.JPG
- UIHistories Image IDs 18055 and 43027
Image selection and text by Eileen A. Herrstrom 2014