Which Virginia region is a high region separating the Piedmont from the Valley and Ridge and contains some of the oldest rocks in the state?

Which Virginia region is a high region separating the Piedmont from the Valley and Ridge and contains some of the oldest rocks in the state?

• A. Blue Ridge
• B. Piedmont
• C. Valley and Ridge
• D. Appalachian Plateau

Answer: (A)

The main idea is recognizing Virginia’s major landscape regions and where their high, ancient bedrock sits. The Blue Ridge is a tall, rugged belt that sits between the Piedmont to the east and the Valley and Ridge to the west, forming the high dividing line in the state. It contains some of the oldest rocks in Virginia—Precambrian metamorphic rocks such as gneiss and schist, with granite intrusions—left over from ancient mountain-building events. That ancient, high terrain is what makes this region the correct choice. In contrast, the Piedmont to the east has younger metamorphic and igneous rocks with rolling hills, the Valley and Ridge to the west features long belts of folded sedimentary rocks, and the Appalachian Plateau lies farther west with a plateau landscape and different rock types.

The main idea is recognizing Virginia’s major landscape regions and where their high, ancient bedrock sits. The Blue Ridge is a tall, rugged belt that sits between the Piedmont to the east and the Valley and Ridge to the west, forming the high dividing line in the state. It contains some of the oldest rocks in Virginia—Precambrian metamorphic rocks such as gneiss and schist, with granite intrusions—left over from ancient mountain-building events. That ancient, high terrain is what makes this region the correct choice. In contrast, the Piedmont to the east has younger metamorphic and igneous rocks with rolling hills, the Valley and Ridge to the west features long belts of folded sedimentary rocks, and the Appalachian Plateau lies farther west with a plateau landscape and different rock types.