Download A Geologic Time Scale

A Geological Overview of North Central West Virginia:
Observations from the Field
Lyndsey Lieb and Angela Lands, Kennesaw State University and Mike Kelly and Minjuan Cheng, Indiana State University
ABSTRACT
For this project, we will introduce the geology and underlying lithology
common to several areas located in Monongalia county, West Virginia,
and Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Specifically Chestnut Ridge Anticline,
Coopers Rock in West Virginia, and Youghiogheny River area of Ohiopyle,
Pennsylvania.
INTRODUCTION
The geology of West Virginia was first investigated in the mid late 1700’s
to early 1800’s. The first official research was conducted my geologist
William Barton Roger from 1835-1842. Geological mapping was
established by Israel Charles White between 1906-1939 and is still used
today. These maps and discoveries have allowed better definition of the
coal areas, rock layers, paleontology, oil and gas fields, and mineral
resources.
Locations of Geological Interest
Chestnut Ridge Anticline/Coopers Rock
The cliffs are of hard sandstone known as griststone, and range from 10 to 30 feet high.
The massive sandstone layer that forms Cooper's Rock -- the Upper Connoquenessing
Sandstone -- is exposed where Cheat River cuts through the lofty Chestnut Ridge anticline
which extends southwest from Pennsylvania across most of West Virginia. The
sedimentary rocks of the surface were formed during the Mississippian and the
Pennsylvanian periods. The other exposed rock layers mainly consist of sandstones,
shale and limestone.
Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown sits on large deposits of Ordovician age
shale and Pennsylvanian age clay that is used in the
production of pottery, bricks and cement. But the largest
geological resource for the town’s economy is coal.
Below the Morgantown area lies the Pittsburgh Coal
Seam holding the Upper Freeport and Upper Kittanning
Veins of coal.
OVERVIEW
The area of observation is part of the Appalachian Plateau. The rock
formations of the plateau that cover the western part of the state are
relatively flat, except on the east side where there are dominant folds and
faults. These hold some of the oldest rocks of the region and range in age
from late Ordovician up through the Mississippian. The rest of the
Appalachian Plateau is of Pennsylvanian and Permian age and is where
coal seams are located. The folded and thrusted rock of the plateau is
made up mainly of marine sedimentary rock and volcanic rock. They are
some of the oldest rocks in the world.
In addition, much of this portion of the Plateau has deep bedded salt
deposits nearly 50 feet thick. These deposits can be found some 50009000 feet below the surface. It is estimated that there is enough salt in this
area to supply the needs of our nation for nearly 2000 more years.
The importance of geology…Geological history…Observations …bserved
and deciphered of the orogeny, 300 million year old rock layers, and other
geological features of
Photos by Angela Lands
SUMMARY
Youghiogheny River, Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania
The Youghiogheny river area consists mostly of Pottsville sandstone while outlying areas
are shale. The rock exposures and landscape of the area tell the story of sedimentation,
deformation and erosion that is typical of this part of the Appalachians. The oldest rocks
are part of the Pottsville group and consist of brown, gray and reddish-colored sandstones
and shale. Younger rocks range from light-gray conglomerates, made up of small, white
quartz pebbles, to red and green shale, to gray, very sandy limestone. The youngest rocks
in the area contain the coal seams and are economically important to the area.
This particular Appalachian region tells a much larger
geological story than what is shown here. The formation
of the mountains in this area is a complex wrangle of
folding and thrusting of tectonic plates. Add to this
intense heat and pressure and you have a diversity of
minerals and natural resources. Because the
Appalachians are some of the oldest mountains on earth,
the surface is heavily eroded, thus appearing at much
lower elevation. Due to its timeless changes the
Appalachians will provide a geological story for years to
come.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND REFERENCE
Acknowledgements
The group would like to thank Dr. Nancy Hoalst Pullen and Dr. Jay Gatrell for their
organization and leadership. Thanks to fellow students for their notes, opinions,
and other input on the research and observations conducted. Thanks to Dr. Ken
Martis, WVU and Mr. Brownie Stewart, Patriot Mining Company.
References
A Geologic Time Scale [Internet], [1982], Cambridge Earth Press: West Virginia
Geological Survey; [cited 29 July 2009]. Available from
http://www.geocraft.com/WVFossils/PennsylvPeriod.html
West Virginia Geology [Internet], [updated 28 September 2004]. West Virginia
Geological and Economical Survey; [cited 29 July 2009]. Available from
http://www.wvgs.wvnet.edu/WWW/GEOLOGY/geology.htm
Appalachian Mountains. [Internet], [2009]. Encyclopedia Britannica. [cited 29 July
2009]. Available from
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/30353/Appalachian-Mountains
after West Virginia Geological Survey, 2002, and A Geologic Time Scale; Cambridge Earth Press, 1982
Coopers Rock State Forest Forest Resources Management Plan. [Internet], [19
January 2006]. West Virginia Division of Forestry; [cited 29 July 2009]. Available
from http://www.wvforestry.com/CRSF%20final%20draft%201-19-06.pdf
http://www.ohiopyle.us/
http://thevoltagegate.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html