1. The Five Physiographic Provinces of Virginia
Virginia Geology
The Five Physiographic Provinces of Virginia

2. The Five Provinces

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

4. 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?

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

6. 1. Coastal Plain

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

8. 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
As sea levels rose and fell, fossils were left at various layers

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

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

11. 2. Piedmont

12. 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

13. 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 )

14. 3. Blue Ridge Mountains

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

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

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

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

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

20. 4. Valley and Ridge Province

21. 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

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

23. Limestone outcrops are common in the Valley and Ridge Province

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

25. Sink holes!

26. Caverns!

27. 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?

28. 5. Appalachian Plateau

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

30. Appalachian Plateau Facts
Do you notice any thing in these layers?

31. COAL!

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

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

34. Let’s see how you do on this 10 question quiz. Ask for quiz
Quiz Time
Let’s see how you do on this 10 question quiz.
Ask for quiz

35. THE END