Rocks exposed in the Commonwealth of Virginia record the advance of ancient shorelines, the collision of continents, the tracks of long-extinct dinosaurs, and over one billion years of geologic history. Virginia has a diverse landscape that extends from the high rocky summits in the Blue Ridge Mountains to low-lying barrier islands exposed to the Atlantic Ocean.

Geology is more than ancient rocks and fossils, modern geologic processes impact Virginia’s environment in many ways: from coastal erosion due to storms and sea-level rise to groundwater pollution, landslides, and earthquakes.

Begin discovering the geology and geologic history of Virginia by clicking on any of the Commonwealth’s five provinces on the map above. If you’re new to geology, check our Term Definition Section, the Rock Cycle, and Geologic Time Table, to familiarize yourself with the geological terminology.