Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
In the Scottsville Basin, in the Piedmont province of Virginia, there are diabase dikes that emplaced into sandstone country rock millions of years ago. The diabase dikes outcrop in the James River and along a creek to the north. These dikes are approximately 100 meters in width and have a northwest trend. The contact metamorphism region between the diabase dikes and the sandstone contains the mineral epidote. Epidote is found in the metamorphic rock called hornfels. Hornfels have a different appearance than the surrounding country rock and are also denser. The density of the hornfels is greater closer to the contact and decreases with distance away from the diabase dike. These variables can give insight into the age of the igneous intrusions, the pressure and temperature conditions upon emplacement, and the environment of Virginia at the time of the magmatic activity.
Date Awarded
2013
Department
Geology
Advisor 1
Christopher M. Bailey
Advisor 2
Brent E. Owens
Recommended Citation
Jaeger, William M., "Analysis of Mesozoic Diabase dikes in the Scottsville Basin, Virginia" (2013). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 291.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/291
