The Five Physiographic Provinces of Virginia

The Five Provinces

Virginia is divided into 5 provinces based on their geologic formations.

1. Coastal Plain

The Coastal Plain runs from the fall line on the west, to the Atlantic Ocean on the east It contains unconsolidate d sediments

Sand, silt and clay produced by erosion of the Appalachian Mts. covers the plain As sea levels rose and fell, fossils were left at various layers

Virginia Fossils Fossils include various marine organisms like clams, scallops, sharks teeth, and other hard remains

Virginia Fossils Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic fossils are found in Virginia

Fall Line Divides the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont. Waterfalls and rapids are common where the elevation changes

2. Piedmont

Facts about the Va. Piedmont It is an area of rolling hills underlain by ancient igneous and metamorphic rock It is the largest of the provinces

3. Blue Ridge Mountains

Blue Ridge Facts The billion year old igneous and metamorphic rocks are the oldest in the state

Blue Ridge Facts It is a high ridge separating the piedmont from the valley and ridge province

4. Valley and Ridge Province

Valley and Ridge The Valley and Ridge Province is an area of long parallel ridges and valleys underlain by ancient folded and faulted sedimentary rocks

Cambrian fossil algal structures are found in the V&R Province

Limestone outcrops are common in the Valley and Ridge Province

Sink holes!

Caverns!

Think you figured it out? Karst is an irregular limestone region with sinks, underground streams, and caverns The Valley and Ridge Province is famous for its caverns, can you name one?

5. Appalachian Plateau

Appalachian Plateau Facts The Appalachian Plateau has rugged, irregular topography and is underlain by ancient, flat-lying sedimentary rocks

Appalachian Plateau Facts What do you notice in these layers?

COAL!

Virginia Coal Most of Virginia's coal is found in the Appalachian Plateau.

Virginia Coal These old sedimentary rocks contain many fossils and tons of coal.