6/22/2011
Geology underlies it all” and in West Virginia you’ll find Limestone and Dolomite, Sandstone, Salt , Clay and Shale and Sand and Gravel, according to the West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey geologists. This summer, state parks visitors will have the opportunity to explore what’s underground by participating in Geology! Rocks.
“You’ll learn about some very, very old rocks that make up West Virginia and about environmental geology as well,” said Sissie Summers with programming services at West Virginia’s state parks.
“Visiting geologists talk not only about the type of rock in the state, but why landslides occur, are there earthquakes, and how floods and water carve and continue toslowly contour our mountains,” Summers explained. Fossil formation, salt production, and why “falling rock” signs are predominate along roadways are part of the evening program information.
The visiting geologists will point out how the history of the ancient rocks can be deciphered from the clues the rocks themselves reveal.
In West Virginia State Parks, interpretive programming introduces visitors and state residents to natural history: “Those elements that make West Virginia unique,” Summers said. Visiting geologists for “Geology! Rocks – Geology Underlies it All” will present evening talks and lead exploratory morning walks as part of the popular interpretative series.
The lively and informative evening slide shows illustrate the importance of West Virginia's hundreds of millions of years of geologic history to the present mineral wealth, economy, breathtaking scenery, and the geology of the particular park.
The morning walks take a closer look at the area's rocks, fossils, and terrain on a guided geologic walk in one to two hours.
Geology! Rocks programs are at these areas with additional dates added as scheduled and posted on www.wvstateparks.com. Call the area for program times and locations.
- June 24, 25 – Greenbrier State Forest, 304-536-1944
- June 28, 29 – Holly River State Park, 304-493-6353
- July 12, 13 – Blackwater Falls State Park, 304-259-5216
- July 20, 21 – Watoga State Park, 204-799-4087
- July 28, 29 – Canaan Valley Resort State Park, 304-866-4121
- August 3, 4 – Lost River State Park, 304-897-5372
- August 4, 5 – Cacapon Resort State Park. 304-258-1022
- August 11, 12 – Pipestem Resort State Park, 304-466-1800
- August 12 – Kanawha State Forest, 304-558-3500
Geology! Rocks programs are open to the public. Attendees are welcome to attend either the evening program or the morning walks, or both. There is no fee at participate. Groups as well as individuals are welcome.
For information about West Virginia Geological & Economic Survey, visit www.wvgs.wvnet.edu. WVGES Research Center is located at Mont Chateau Road, Exit 10 off Interstate 68, east of Morgantown, W/Va. For programs and activities at West Virginia’s state parks visit www.wvstateparks.com and click Events Calendar.
Contact Information
Sissie Summers
304-957-9365
sissie.a.summers@wv.gov