 The circular pattern made by the two creeks surrounding Panther Mountain suggest that it might have a different origin from other Catskill peaks.Most mountains' drainage basins show a more dendritic (tree-like) pattern rather than the rosette made by Esopus and Woodland creeks around the mountain.In the 1940s, geologist George Chadwick noticed this dome structure, and concluded that it might be the result of gas pushing up from below.