7/16/2010
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – “Geology underlies it all.” That’s
the theme of a summer program at West Virginia State Parks that invites
visitors to learn about some very, very old geologic formations that are a big
part of what makes West Virginia unique. Visiting geologists will present talks
and lead exploratory walks as part of the popular “Geology! Rocks” series,
according to Blackwater Falls State Park Naturalist Paulita Cousin.
“Ken Ashton and other geologists from the West Virginia Geological and Economic
Survey, located at Mont
Chateau Research
Center, are guest
geologists making presentations at 11 parks in 2010,” says Cousin. “Blackwater Falls and the nearby area have a very
interesting geologic history. In addition to the program, we use the
booklet ‘Geology of Blackwater and Canaan
Valley’ to help guests
understand our area.” The program format is an evening presentation and a walk
the following morning.
The lively and informative evening slide show focuses on how the land now known
as West Virginia
originally formed. Slides taken around the state 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 presentation answers questions such as: How did the mountains form? Can
dinosaur remains be found in West
Virginia? Can I find gold in West Virginia? Did glaciers ever cover the
state? On display will be maps, geologic articles, and general
information about West Virginia's
rocks and fossils.
A morning activity takes a closer look at the area's rocks, fossils, and
terrain on a guided geologic walk in one to two hours. The visiting
geologist will point out how the history of the ancient rocks can be deciphered
from the clues the rocks themselves reveal.
The remaining programs for Geology! Rocks series are scheduled at these parks
and dates. Please call the park for specific times and meeting sites.
·
Blackwater Falls – evening; July 26;
morning walk, July 27 – 304-259-5216
·
Lost River – evening, July 27; morning walk,
July 28 – 304-897-5372
·
Cacapon – evening, July 28; morning walk, July
29 –– 304-258-1022 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 304-258-1022 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 304-258-1022 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 304-258-1022 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting
·
Tygart
Lake – evening, August 2;
morning walk, August 3 – 304-294-4000
·
Beech
Fork State
Park – evening, August 5; morning walk, August 6
– 304-528-5794
·
North Bend –
evening, August 6; morning walk, August 7 – 304-643-2931
·
Pipestem – evening, August 12; morning walk,
August 13 – 304-466-1800
·
Geology! Rocks programs are open to the public to attend the evening program
and/or the morning walks. There is no fee. Groups as well as
individuals are welcome.
For information about WV State Parks and Forests, visit www.wvstateparks.com. For
information about West Virginia Geological & Economic Survey, visit www.wvgs.wvnet.edu.
Contact Information
Sissie Summers, Parks and Recreation Section
304-558-2764
Sissie.A.Summers@wv.gov