The Geologic Past of the Mid-Atlantic Region

Who knew that beneath our feet is evidence of magma chambers, giant sharks, Himalayan-sized mountains, and the breakup of several supercontinents? Geologist and Washington native Callan Bentley leads a fascinating day-long exploration of the Mid-Atlantic region that traces an extraordinary history spanning more than a billion years of geologic time.

10–11:15 a.m.

A Geographic and Chronological Overview and Introduction to Plate Tectonics and the Rock Cycle

11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.

The Blue Ridge Province and Shenandoah National Park

12:45–2 p.m.  Lunch (participants provide their own)

2–3:15 p.m.

The Piedmont Province and Massanutten Synclinorium

3:30–4:30 p.m.

Triassic Rifting of Pangaea and the Layers of the Coastal Plain

Bentley is assistant professor of geology at Northern Virginia Community College and writes the geology blog Mountain Beltway.