The Geology of Virginia

A Resource for Information on the Commonwealth's Geology

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The Defenses of Yorktown

Yorktown became a famous locale in 1781 after the surrender of the British troops which effectively ended the Revolutionary War.  British forces in and around Yorktown dug a number of defensive earthworks that were sieged by American and French troops over a three-week period prior to the surrender on October 19th, 1781. In the early 21st […]

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What’s New in Virginia Geology

VAlavas

Virginia is for Lavas- The Catoctin Formation

Many of the highest peaks in Shenandoah National Park (including Hawksbill, Stony Man, and Hightop Mountain, just to name a few) are underlain by distinctive bluish-green rocks that were once ancient lava flows (Virginia is for Lavas!), and are part of a geologic unit known as the Catoctin Formation.  From the presidential retreat at Camp David to Jefferson’s […]

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