2. Physiographic Provinces of Virginia Earth Science

3. Virginia is divided into ____ major physiographic provinces (physio-physical features, graphic—map of). 5 Coastal Plain PiedmontBlue Ridge Valley & Ridge Appalachian Plateau W E

4. 1. Coastal Plain

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

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

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

8. Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic fossils are found in Virginia

9. The Coastal Plain The Coastal Plain A gently seaward sloping surface in Eastern Virginia 0’ sea level 300’ -Coastal Plain Sediments “_______” of loose sediments that have eroded from the mountains. Pile The highest elevation is about 300 ft. above sea level.

10. 1. Kinds of rocks: 2. Ages of rocks: 3.Fossils: 4. Features: Wetlands Sedimentary, loose sediments 0-225 MYA Sea critters

11. This area is rich in _____ and ______ resources. These resources are used to build roads. The Chesapeake Bay is found here where this region borders the Atlantic Ocean. Also called the Tidewater Region it is the region closest to sea level. (low elevation) sand gravel

12. Coastal Plain Note Card:  Flat, layered w/ sediments & fossils  Youngest region of VA  Formed from the erosion of the Appalachian Mountains and deposition of these sediments onto the Coastal Plain.  Contains gravel and crushed stone used for road construction.

13. a.Waterfalls and rapids are located here. b. Major cities are located here. Fall Line:

14. Separates the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont. It is a boundary between an upland region and a coastal plain. Rivers from the upland region drop to the plain as falls or rapids. Separates the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont. It is a boundary between an upland region and a coastal plain. Rivers from the upland region drop to the plain as falls or rapids. A fall line is formed in an area where the rivers have eroded away the soft rocks of a coastal plain more quickly than the older harder rocks of an upland region. A fall line is formed in an area where the rivers have eroded away the soft rocks of a coastal plain more quickly than the older harder rocks of an upland region. Fall line Note Card:

15. 2. Piedmont

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

17. A gently rolling area with hills and valleys (pied-foot, mont-mountains). This is located in Central Virginia. The Piedmont A gently rolling area with hills and valleys (pied-foot, mont-mountains). This is located in Central Virginia. The Piedmont W E Blue Ridge Piedmont Coastal Plain Lynchburg VA

18. An episode of ___________ that occurred before the formation of the Appalachian Mountains created these rocks. They are part of the ______ of the mountains. subduction roots

19. 1. Kinds of rocks: 2. Ages of rocks: 3. Fossils: Igneous and metamorphic (some sediment) 245-570 mya Exception: Culpepper Co. Dinosaur tracks None

20. Piedmont Note Card:  This is where we live  This is where we live  Rolling hills underlain by ancient igneous and metamorphic rock.  Igneous rocks here are the roots of volcanoes formed during an ancient subduction occuring before the formation of the Appalachian Mountains.  Located west of the fall line.

21. 3. Blue Ridge Mountains

22. Blue Ridge A narrow line of mountains north of Roanoke, a broader, upland surface south of Roanoke. _________ mountains in Virginia. The Appalachian mountains are ________ and more _________ than the Rocky Mountains. Highest oldereroded

23. Mount Rogers Elevation: 5719’ ___________ _______ in Virginia. Highest peak W

24. 1.Kinds of rocks: 2.Ages of rocks: 3.Fossils: Igneous & metamorphic 245 mya-1 bya None ____________ occurred during the Appalachian Mountain formation. These are the ________ rocks in Virginia. Metamorphosis oldest

25. Blue Ridge Note Card:  A high ridge between the Piedmont and Valley & Ridge Province.  Billion year old rocks are the oldest in the state. the oldest in the state. (Metamorphic & Igneous) (Metamorphic & Igneous)  Some Metamorphism occurred during the formation of the Appalachians.

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

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

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

29. Valley and Ridge An area of long, parallel ridges separated by valleys Valley and Ridge W Plateau RidgesValleysGreat Valley Blue Ridge Thrust Faults

30. Sections of hard, resistant rocks make up the ridges, while soft, eroded limestone makes up the valleys. ________ has eroded and leaves caves and caverns (karst topography). Limestone

31. Sink holes!

32. Caverns!

33. Folding and faulting occurred during the formation of the Appalachian Mountains (when N. America collided with Africa and Europe). This occurred during the Paleozoic Era (300-265 million years ago).

34. 1.Kinds of rocks: 2.Ages of rocks: 3.Fossils: Sediment 350-570 mya Sea critters

35. Valley and Ridge Note Card:  Long parallel ridges and valleys underlain by ancient folded and faulted sedimentary rock.  Folding and faulting occurred during a continental collision between Africa and North America in the late Paleozoic Era.  This collision created the Appalachian Mountains!  Contains limestone caves or “Karst Topography”.  Limestone is used to make concrete

36. 5. Appalachian Plateau

37. Appalachian Plateau Appalachian Plateau This is a series of plateaus separated by faults. “The Boot” This area is known for rich deposits of ____, ____, and _________. coaloil natural gas Coal seams

38. COAL!

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

40. 1.Kinds of rocks: 2.Ages of rocks: 3.Fossils: Sediment 286-360 mya Scale trees Ferns Some sea critters

41. WE “Rolling Hills” Plateaus Appalachian Plateau Valley & Ridge Faults

42. Appalachian Plateau Note Card:  Rugged, Irregular Topography  Underlain by ancient flat lying Sedimentary Rocks  A series of plateaus separated by faults  This area contained an ancient swamp responsible for most of VA’s coal.

43. Let’s Review each region: