The Five Physiographic Provinces of Virginia Virginia Geology The Five Physiographic Provinces of Virginia

The Five Provinces

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

Do you know in which province we live? After looking at the first few slides, how many of the provinces can you name? Do you know in which province we live?

Be sure to take good notes! There will be a quiz at the end of this presentation.

Coastal Plain

The Coastal Plain runs from the fall line on the west, to the Atlantic Ocean on the east It is a terraced landscape

As sea levels rose and fell, fossils were left at various layers

Sand, silt and clay produced by erosion of the Appalachian Mts Sand, silt and clay produced by erosion of the Appalachian Mts. covers the plain

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

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

Mining the Piedmont High quality slate is mined from this area The Piedmont host one of the worlds largest kyanite mines ( see picture of kyanite )

3. The Blue Ridge

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

Ready for a quick review? 1. Which province, that has already been described, is known for having layers of fossils?

Quick Review 2. Which province is the largest? 3. Which province has the oldest rocks? 4. Which province has slate and kyanite mines?

Let’s see how you did! 1. Coastal Plain 2. Piedmont 3. Blue Ridge

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

This area is also famous for Karst. What does karst mean? Want some hints?

Sink holes!

Caverns!

Think you figured it out? Karst is an irregular limestone region with sink holes, 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 Do you notice any thing 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.

Let’s see how you do on this 10 question quiz. You may use your notes Quiz Time Let’s see how you do on this 10 question quiz. You may use your notes Ready? Here we go!

1.Which province is covered by sand, silt and clay? Questions! 1.Which province is covered by sand, silt and clay?

2.Which province has Cambrian algal fossils? Questions! 2.Which province has Cambrian algal fossils?

3. This province has a terraced landscape. Questions! 3. This province has a terraced landscape.

4. This province contains billion year old rocks. Questions! 4. This province contains billion year old rocks.

Questions! 5. Which province is underlain by ancient, flat-lying sedimentary rocks?

6. This province has rolling hills underlain by ancient rocks. Questions! 6. This province has rolling hills underlain by ancient rocks.

Questions! 7. What do we call an irregular limestone region with sink holes and caverns?

8. Which province is at the most western part of the state? Questions! 8. Which province is at the most western part of the state?

9. Which province is the largest? Questions! 9. Which province is the largest?

10.Which province is famous for coal? Questions! 10.Which province is famous for coal?

Let’s check your answers Trade papers with a neighbor. How did you do? Let’s check your answers Trade papers with a neighbor.

Now trade with a different person! How did you do? Now trade with a different person! Sign your name at the bottom of the page

The Answers 1. Coastal Plain 2. Valley and Ridge 3. Coastal Plain 4. Blue Ridge 5. Appalachian Plateau

The Answers 6. Piedmont 7.Karst 8. Appalachian Plateau 9. Piedmont 10. Appalachian Plateau