A Geological Overview of North Central West Virginia: Observations from the Field

1. 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 • Locations of Geological Interest 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. • Chestnut Ridge Anticline/Coopers Rock • 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. 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. • 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. • 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 5000-9000 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 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. • 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. • 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 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/ after West Virginia Geological Survey, 2002, and A Geologic Time Scale; Cambridge Earth Press, 1982 http://thevoltagegate.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html