The Geology of Virginia

A Resource for Information on the Commonwealth's Geology

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Terms and Definitions

Geologic time scale

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ThumbnailCumberland

The Cumberland Gap

Cumberland Gap, elevation 506 m (1,660′), in the far southwestern corner of Virginia is a wind gap near the geographic triple point* between Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The gap has long been an important crossing point through the Appalachian Mountains, and lies at the western edge of the Valley & Ridge province with the Appalachian Plateau province […]

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What’s New in Virginia Geology

Nelsonite-scalebar

Virginia’s State Rock: Nelsonite

On July 1, 2016, Governor Terry McCauliffe signed a bill into law that made nelsonite the first official state rock of Virginia. The initiative for this project was led by students from Piedmont Virginia Community College.  Michelle Stanislaus and her classmates from their Historical Geology class and Government class ran the petition for this law starting […]

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