Lecture Videos

Dr. Spears Lecture Part 1

Dr. Spears Lecture Part 2

Virtual Trip of Geologic Features Following the James River

Stop 1- Here we examine chlorite-bearing phyllite of the Western Piedmont geologic terrane and measure strikes and dips of foliation to define folds and fold axes. 

Stop 1a- A look at two levels of ancient river gravels above the spillway at Totier Creek Reservoir, west of Scottsville in central Virginia. 

Stop 2- This stop focuses on diabase boulders along River Road west of Scottsville, Virginia.  We discuss the nature, origin, and significance of diabase dikes along with an overview of the aeromagnetic map of Virginia. 

Stop 3- We examine an outcrop of red conglomerate containing green pebbles, and some pieces of red sandstone recently exposed during fiber optic cable installation along Rt. 20 north of Scottsville, Virginia.  We also discuss the tectonic origin and significance of Triassic basins. 

Stop 4- This is a short geology lesson about two different types of rocks in a creek west of Columbia, Virginia.  The outcrops show the relationship between an older, black metamorphic rock called "amphibolite" and a younger, light gray, slightly metamorphosed granite. 

Stop 5- A geology and history lesson at the Cowherd Quarry on Rt. 6 in downtown Columbia, Virginia.  The lesson features a lineated metamorphosed granite and a stop at a large diabase dike east of Columbia. 

Stop 6- A description of structural features in the Maidens Gneiss at Hidden Rock Park, including faults, folds, and boudins.