The Five Physiographic Provinces of Virginia

The Five Physiographic The Five Physiographic Provinces of VirginiaProvinces of Virginia

The Five ProvincesThe Five Provinces

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

After looking at the first few After looking at the first few slides, how many of the slides, how many of the

provinces can you name?provinces can you name?Do you know in which Do you know in which

province we live?province we live?

1. Coastal Plain1. Coastal Plain

The Coastal Plain runs from the fall The Coastal Plain runs from the fall line on the west, to the Atlantic line on the west, to the Atlantic

Ocean on the eastOcean on the east

• It is a terraced landscape

• 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 FossilsVirginia Fossils

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

Virginia FossilsVirginia Fossils

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

2. Piedmont2. Piedmont

Facts about the Va. PiedmontFacts 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 PiedmontMining 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. Blue Ridge Mountains3. Blue Ridge Mountains

Blue Ridge FactsBlue Ridge Facts• The billion year

old igneous and metamorphic rocks are the oldest in the state

Blue Ridge FactsBlue Ridge Facts

• It is a high ridge separating the piedmont from the valley and ridge province

Ready for a quick review?Ready for a quick review?• 1. Which province, that has

already been described, is known for having layers of fossils?

Quick ReviewQuick 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!Let’s see how you did!

• 1. Coastal Plain• 2. Piedmont• 3. Blue Ridge• 4. Piedmont

4. Valley and Ridge 4. Valley and Ridge ProvinceProvince

Valley and RidgeValley 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 Cambrian fossil algal structures are found in the V&R Provinceare found in the V&R Province

Limestone outcrops are common Limestone outcrops are common in the Valley and Ridge Provincein the Valley and Ridge Province

This area is also famous for This area is also famous for KarstKarst

• What does karst mean?• Want some hints?

Sink holes!Sink holes!

Caverns!Caverns!

Think you figured it out?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 Plateau5. Appalachian Plateau

Appalachian Plateau FactsAppalachian Plateau Facts

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

Appalachian Plateau FactsAppalachian Plateau Facts

• Do you notice any thing in these layers?

COAL!COAL!

Virginia CoalVirginia Coal

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

Virginia CoalVirginia Coal

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

• Let’s see how you do on this 10 question quiz.

• Ready? Here we go!

Questions!Questions!• 1.Which province is covered by

sand, silt and clay?• 2.Which province has Cambrian

algal fossils?• 3. This province has a terraced

landscape.

More Questions!More Questions!

• 4. This province contains billion year old rocks.

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

More Questions!More Questions!

• 6. This province has rolling hills underlain by ancient rocks.

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

More Questions!More Questions!

• 8. Which province is at the most western part of the state?( province #5 )

• 9. Which province is the largest?• 10.Which province is famous for

coal?

How did you do?How did you do?

• Get ready and we’ll check your answers

• Ready?

The AnswersThe Answers• 1. Coastal

Plain• 2. Valley and

Ridge• 3. Coastal

Plain• 4. Blue Ridge• 5. Appalachian

Plateau

• 6. Piedmont• 7.Karst• 8. Appalachian

Plateau• 9. Piedmont• 10. Appalachian

Plateau