Structural Geology of the western Blue Ridge in Central Virginia: Blue Ridge Fault, Myth or Reality?
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Blue Ridge Proterozoic to Cambrian rocks are in tectonic contact with Cambrian- Ordovician rocks in the Valley & Ridge. Studies in north-central Virginia by Gathright, Henika, and Sullivan (1977, 1978) illustrate that the contact between these two provinces is stratigraphic. This explanation is on the State of Virginia Geologic map of 1993. More recent works done by Evans (1989) indicate that the contact between the Great and the Blue Ridge is a tectonic unconformity. The purpose of this research is to determine which of these interpretations is most accurate and to produce an up-to-date map and cross-sections. Data was collected by compiling data from already existing data from geologic maps that have already been published and from field done from the winter of 2006 to the fall of 2006. This data was put into two computer programs where it could be interpreted. Stereograms were created were created using Stereonet version 6.3 and the map and cross-sections were produced in Adobe IIlustrator®. The data suggests that the Blue Ridge is in tectonic contact with the Valley & Ridge rocks. Breccias and higher amounts of fracturing in the Antietam Formation indicate a fault zone. Faulting cuts across stratigraphy and there is missing stratigraphy from stratigraphic section. With missing stratigraphy from the stratigraphic column, the stratigraphic contact suggested by Gathright (1977) is dismissed.
Date Awarded
2007
Department
Geology
Recommended Citation
Tadlock, James E., "Structural Geology of the western Blue Ridge in Central Virginia: Blue Ridge Fault, Myth or Reality?" (2007). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 187.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/187
