Structures In Rocks Topics

• Introduction
• Forces
• Geologic Structures
• Mapping Geologic Structures
• Structures In Virginia Rocks
  1. Coastal Plain
  2. Piedmont
  3. Mesozoic Basins
  4. Blue Ridge
  5. Valley and Ridge
  6. Appalachian Plateaus

Structures In Virginia Rocks (Part 2)

Mesozoic Basins

• The Mesozoic Basins are underlain by tilted sedimentary rocks.  Large normal faults have formed along basin edges in many places.

Dipping sedimentary rocks in the Mesozoic Basins (Photograph by Robert Whisonant)

The Mesozoic Basins are underlain by gently dipping sedimentary rocks.  The layers at this Pittsylvania County quarry dip at about 30 degrees. 

Blue Ridge

• Like the Piedmont, the Blue Ridge is also underlain by highly deformed igneous and metamorphic rocks.  Folds and faults are present.  Generally, Blue Ridge rocks are less deformed on the western side.

Highly deformed gneiss from the Blue Ridge (Photograph by Stan Johnson)

This gneiss was found in the Blue Ridge of Grayson County.

 

 

 

   

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