The Geology of Virginia

A Resource for Information on the Commonwealth's Geology

  • MInerals, Rocks & Fossils
  • VA Geologic History
  • Geology Now
  • Hydrology
  • Maps & Diagrams
  • Resources
  • WM Geology

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

Photomicrograph of fault breccia in the Antietam Formation, Blue Ridge province. Breccias form when rocks are extensively fractured in fault zones and are cemented together when minerals precipitate in the cracks and fractures. Note the angular fragments (fr) of quartz sandstone in a matrix of fine-grained iron oxide cement (ic). Field of View 4 x 2.7 mm, Cross Polarized Light.

Fault Breccia in the Blue Ridge

Photomicrograph of fault breccia in the Cambrian Antietam Formation, Blue Ridge province. Breccias form when rocks are extensively fractured in fault zones and are cemented together when minerals precipitate in the cracks and fractures. Note the angular fragments (fr) of quartz sandstone in a matrix of fine-grained iron oxide cement (ic). Field of view 4 […]

Browse all Featured Images

See the Featured Images Map

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 […]

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2025 · Backcountry Child Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in