The Geology of Virginia

A Resource for Information on the Commonwealth's Geology

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Coal Strata in the Appalachian Plateau

August 14, 2016 by Chuck Bailey ·
Layers of sandstone, shale, and coal in the Appalachian Plateau, Wise County.
Filed Under: featured image · Tagged: Appalachian Plateau, coal, Wise County, Wise Formation

Featured Image

The NW face of Old Rag Mountain, which is situated in the Shenandoah National Park. This mountain is famous for the rock scramble that is at the top.

Old Rag Mountain

Old Rag Mountain is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park. The trail leading to the top is one of the most popular hikes in Virginia. This is due to the fantastic views, and the scrambling nature of the hike required to reach the summit.  The large granitic boulders provide a unique rock […]

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What’s New in Virginia Geology

pluton contact

At the Pluton’s Edge

When large quantities of magma intrude and solidify in the Earth’s crust they form bodies of intrusive igneous rock known as plutons. The featured image nicely illustrates the edge (geologic contact) of a granitic pluton in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. The granite is part of the 706 ± 4 million year old […]

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