Earth Science Name _____________________________

Unit 5: VA Geology

Essential Question: How does the past topography and geology of Virginia explain the current
landscape (including topography, rocks and minerals for mining)?

Vocabulary: (write or type all definitions on a separate piece of paper):

o Physiographic
o Piedmont
o Plateau
o Fall Line
o Province
o Watershed
o River basin
o Coastal Plain
o Interior Plain
o Renewable Resources
o Nonrenewable Resources
o Fossil Fuels
o Hydrocarbons

Objectives:

o Name the 5 provinces in VA and locate them on a map.

o Explain the type of rocks and features that can be found in each province and the geologic
activity that formed them.
o Explain the different watersheds in VA and the major rivers in each.

Tasks: (All work is DUE by 3/___/11)

_____ 1. Write out the definitions of ALL the vocabulary words.

_____2. Complete on-line notes (website www.teacherpage.com/comstockearth; click on the

Geology Rocks, VA link.)

_____ 3. Selected Minerals and Rocks Mined In Virginia

_____ 4. US watersheds worksheet

_____ 5. VA Geology Stations Packet

_____ 6. QUIZ on 3/___/11

Notes:

Write the definitions below.

Basic Landforms

Mountains: _______________________________________________________________________

Hill: _______________________________________________________________________________

Plains: ____________________________________________________________________________

Plateaus: _________________________________________________________________________

Watershed: _______________________________________________________________________

River Basin: ______________________________________________________________________

Write in the names of the landforms that are on slide 3 of the notes.
There are 5 ___________________________ in Virginia. They are (from East to West):

1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________

Label the 5 provinces on the map and color them according to slide 2 of the notes.

Fill in the chart as you read the notes on the 5 provinces.

Each province has unique features.

Type of Rock found Geologic Action that Shape or land and/or

in province created rock special features Major Rivers

Coastal Plain

Piedmont
Blue Ridge

Valley and Ridge

Appalachian
Plateau

Fill in the chart below.

Fill in the blanks below.

Chesapeake Bay Formation

Virginia has 5 physiographic provinces produced by past tectonic and geologic activity. Each
province has unique physical characteristics resulting from its geologic past. Virginia has a
_____________________________________ tectonic and geologic history. Provinces extend from
______________________ to ___________________________. Chesapeake Bay formed from the
________________________ of the Susquehanna River and was impacted by a __________________.
 Watersheds

A watershed is _______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Land can be divided into major and minor watersheds (there can be a watershed in
another watershed).

Label the 3 watersheds on the map below.

The US is divided into 3 major watersheds: The Atlantic, Mississippi and Pacific.

Label the VA watersheds on the map.

VA Watersheds
What major US watershed is Virginia Beach located in? ___________________________________

What major VA watershed is Virginia Beach located in? ___________________________________

Use the map on the slide 15 to answer these questions.

What major local watershed is Virginia Beach located in? ___________________________________

What subwatershed is Virginia Beach located in? __________________________________________