5.3 Virginia's Geologic Provinces

5.3 Virginia's Geologic Provinces

I can describe and explain the formation of Virginia's different geologic provinces.

The Coastal Plain

• Topography: relatively flat

• Type of rock: sedimentary

• Formation: weathering, erosion, and deposition of sediments from the western mountains

• Special: Chesapeake Bay, marine fossils, youngest rocks in Virginia

The Piedmont

• Topography: rolling hills

• Type of rock: metamorphic

• Formation: metamorphism of ancient seafloor rock by volcanism and the continental collision that formed Pangaea

• Special: Woodbridge Senior High School, Fall Line separates this region from the Coastal Plain

The Blue Ridge

• Topography: Long mountain chain

• Type of rock: igneous

• Formation: volcanic rock that was raised during the continental collision that formed Pangaea

• Special: oldest rocks in Virginia

The Valley and Ridge

• Topography: parallel ridges and valleys

• Type of rock: sedimentary

• Formation: ancient seafloor folded by the continental collision that formed Pangaea

• Special: Karst features like caves and sinkholes

The Appalachian Plateau

• Topography: relatively flat with high elevation

• Type of rock: sedimentary

• Formation: deposited in ancient seas and swamp and eroded over time

• Special: COAL!

Multiple Choice

Which letter is the Blue Ridge?

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

Multiple Choice

Which letter is the Appalachian Plateau?

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

Multiple Choice

Which letter is the Coastal Plain?

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

Multiple Choice

Which letter is the Valley and Ridge?

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

Multiple Choice

Which letter is the Piedmont?

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

Multiple Choice

Which of the provinces is the youngest?

• Coastal Plain

• Piedmont

• Blue Ridge

• Valley and Ridge

• Appalachian Plateau

Multiple Choice

Which of the provinces is the oldest?

• Coastal Plain

• Piedmont

• Blue Ridge

• Valley and Ridge

• Appalachian Plateau

Multiple Choice

Which of the provinces is the only place to find coal in Virginia?

• Coastal Plain

• Piedmont

• Blue Ridge

• Valley and Ridge

• Appalachian Plateau

Multiple Select

Select all of the following provinces that have sedimentary rocks.

• Coastal Plain

• Piedmont

• Blue Ridge

• Valley and Ridge

• Appalachian Plateau

Multiple Select

Select all of the following provinces that have mostly igneous rocks.

• Coastal Plain

• Piedmont

• Blue Ridge

• Valley and Ridge

• Appalachian Plateau

Multiple Select

Select all of the following provinces that have mostly metamorphic rocks.

• Coastal Plain

• Piedmont

• Blue Ridge

• Valley and Ridge

• Appalachian Plateau

Multiple Select

Select all of the following provinces that have relatively flat topography.

• Coastal Plain

• Piedmont

• Blue Ridge

• Valley and Ridge

• Appalachian Plateau

Multiple Select

Select all of the following provinces that have been folded and raised during a continental collision.

• Coastal Plain

• Piedmont

• Blue Ridge

• Valley and Ridge

• Appalachian Plateau