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VA Geo and Resources
Va Geology
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Coastal Plain | Created by erosion from the Appalachian Mountains. |
Piedmont | The igneous rocks are the “roots” of volcanoes formed during an ancient episode of subduction that occurred before the formation of the Appalachian Mountains. “foot of the mountains” |
Blue Ridge | Oldest rocks in Virginia. |
Valley and Ridge | Underlain by limestone which creates caves through erosion – Karst topography. |
Appalachian Plateau | Most of Virginia’s coal resources are found here. |
Renewable resources | Can be replaced by nature in a short period of time (in your lifetime). |
Nonrenewable resources | Are replenished very slowly or not at all. |
Fossil Fuels | Nonrenewable resources that are cheap and easy to use once they are extracted but may cause pollution. Coal, natural gas, and petroleum (oil). |
Anthracite (last stage of coal) | Pressure over time would have removed most of the impurities making Anthracite the most “pure” coal and the one with the least amount of pollution. |
Geothermal Energy | The natural heat of the Earth, originating at the Earth’s core and flowing outward to the surface. This heat can be used in its unchanged form to heat homes or it can be harnessed in the form of steam to turn turbines and generate electricity. |
Solar Energy | Comes from the sun in two forms: heat and light. Solar radiation can be used directly to make electricity in a solar cell, or it can be changed into steam for making electricity, heating homes, or heating water. |
Wind Energy | Formed by the heating of the Earth’s surface. As the surface of the Earth heats up, air becomes lighter and begins to rise. As it rises, cooler, heavier air moves in to take its place. This movement of air creates wind. |
Hydroelectric Energy | Moving water, such as water flowing in a stream or river is used to turn turbines to generate electricity. |
Wood (Biomass) | As a tree grows, solar energy is stored in its cells. When wood is burned this potential energy is released as heat. |