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

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Micrograph of Deformed Quartz Sandstone

This micrograph colorfully illustrates deformed quartz grains in a well-cemented quartz sandstone from the Cambrian Antietam Formation, a prominent geologic unit in the Blue Ridge geologic province.  Many of the individual sand grains are elongated (~horizontal orientation), but not recrystallized.  Photo taken in cross polarized light with the gypsum plate inserted.

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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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