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

Nottoway Falls in the Piedmont of south-central Virginia

Nottoway Falls

Nottoway Falls is an impressive set of cascades along the Nottoway River in the south-central Piedmont.  Here the Nottoway River forms an impressive knick zone, dropping ~30 meters (~100′) in less than 1 kilometer (0.6 mi.).  A strongly lineated granitic gneiss is well-exposed during low water conditions.  The origin of this knick zone is poorly […]

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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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