6 June 2012
Virginia geology on video: the Alleghanian Orogeny
Posted by Callan Bentley
Here’s another video, wherein I’ve made some improvements from the last one (reserved the lower right corner for the webcam “talking head” video inset, and adjusted the microphone for fewer audio blowouts). It’s still not perfect – there’s a disconnect between the audio and the webcam video that becomes more and more pronounced throughout the course of the video, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The Alleghanian Orogeny:
[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJZy_BCKrIU”]
Any comments or critique?
Callan Bentley is Associate Professor of Geology at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America. For his work on this blog, the National Association of Geoscience Teachers recognized him with the James Shea Award. He has also won the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council on Higher Education in Virginia, and the Biggs Award for Excellence in Geoscience Teaching from the Geoscience Education Division of the Geological Society of America. In previous years, Callan served as a contributing editor at EARTH magazine, President of the Geological Society of Washington and President the Geo2YC division of NAGT.
One comment: in the Mesozoic the Appalachian region seems to have been planed down to the “Old Age”/Canadian-shield style topography you show, and during that time the major river systems crossing the range developed their meander. The current “Middle Age” appearance is more a rejuvenation, and hence the ridge-cutting meanders (as in the Harrisburgh region).
Thanks Tom — Yes, indeed. I was trying to squeeze a coherent story into 10 minutes, though, so I didn’t have time to elaborate on that aspect of things. Maybe in the next episode!
From a teaching perspective, the explanation and “animation” of the Blue Ridge thrust fault in cross section at about 8:00 min is excellent!
Thanks!