Geologic processes, such as faulting, folding, erosion, metamorphism, volcanism, deposition, and sedimentation, are powerful processes that shape the land. In Virginia, these processes played, and continue to play, an important role in the formation of the Appalachian Plateau, Valley and Ridge province, Blue Ridge province, Piedmont province, and the Coastal Plain province. However, these provinces did not form overnight. Millions of years have pased while the land has undergone many different geologic processes.
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In this WebQuest, you will choose one of the five provinces mentioned above and determine what geologic processes were involved in its formation. Keep in mind that one or more of the processes may have changed throughout geologic time. Then, based on your research, you will create your own geologic timetable for the province. If you are limited on time, you may fill in the geologic time table provided in this WebQuest.
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Two class periods to research and create geologic time table
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Before you begin your research, it is important to know more about the different geologic processes. Visit the following Web site to find information on geologic process that shaped the land.
Virginia
Earth Science Resource Page
Then, begin your research by visiting the Web sites listed
under Resources below. While you are gathering information
about the province you chose, record the answers to these
questions:
- Where is the province I’ve chosen to research
located?
- What is the topography of the province?
- What geologic processes were involved in the formation
of the province?
- At what period in geologic time have geologists found the most information on the province?
- What types of resources are found in the province?
Once you complete your research, create your own geologic
timetable for your province. If time is short, you may want
to print out and fill in the Virginia Geologic Time
Table provided. Make sure that you show when events
occurred that shaped and formed the province.
Click here for the
Virginia Geologic Time Table PDF.
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Use these Web links to find the information you need to
complete this WebQuest.
Review the rubric to understand how your geologic timetable and answers to the questions will be evaluated.
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In the process of completing this WebQuest, you have gained a better understanding of the physiographic provinces in Virginia. You have read information and answered a set of questions dealing with the geologic processes that shaped the physiographic provinces. You also created a geologic timetable showing when geologic processes occurred in a province of your choice. By completing the WebQuest, you have shown that you can apply research skills and illustrate your results.
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