1. Physiographic Provinces of Virginia
Earth Science
Deborah Bowyer, ITRT

2. 5
Virginia is divided into ____ major physiographic provinces (physio-physical features, graphic—map of).
Coastal Plain
Valley & Ridge
Appalachian Plateau E W
Blue Ridge
Piedmont

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

4. Ages of rocks: Fossils: Sedimentary, loose sediment
Kinds of rocks:
Ages of rocks:
Fossils:
Sedimentary, loose sediment
0-225 mya (millions of years ago)
Sea critters

5. This area is rich in _____ and ______ resources. gravel
sand
This area is rich in _____ and ______ resources.
gravel
Fall line:
b. Major cities are located here.
a. Waterfalls and rapids are located here.

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

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

8. Ages of rocks: Fossils: Igneous and metamorphic (some sediment)
Kinds of rocks:
Ages of rocks:
Fossils:
Igneous and metamorphic (some sediment)
mya
None
Exception: Culpepper Co. Dinosaur tracks

9. Blue Ridge Highest older eroded
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
older
eroded

10. Mount Rogers Elevation: 5719’ W Highest peak
__________________ in Virginia.

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

12. Valley and Ridge An area of long, parallel ridges separated by valleysW
Ridges
Valleys
Great Valley
Blue Ridge
Plateau
Thrust Faults
Alleghany County

13. 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

14. 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 ( million years ago).

15. Kinds of rocks: Ages of rocks: Fossils: Sediment 350-570 mya
Sea critters

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

17. Kinds of rocks: Ages of rocks: Fossils: Sediment 286-360 mya
Scale trees Ferns Some sea critters

18. W E Appalachian Plateau “Rolling Hills” Plateaus Valley & Ridge Faults
Alleghany County