Pocahontas County, West Virginia, is a geologically diverse area with significant mineral resources, making it an interesting subject for SEO content focused on geology and mining. The county features three distinct geographic zones, each with unique geological characteristics that can be optimized for search engines.
The northwestern part of Pocahontas County contains Carboniferous or Pennsylvanian rocks, including a substantial reserve of New River semi-smokeless coal. This coal, which is yet to be commercially mined, represents a future economic opportunity and a valuable search term. The presence of this coal in the Pottsville Series indicates a rugged topography.
The central zone, located northwest of the Greenbrier River, is characterized by Mississippian rocks. The Greenbrier Series limestones and the Mauch Chunk Series red shales and shaly limestones are prominent formations in this zone. These limestones are valuable for road construction and concrete production, and the weathered shales create fertile soils. The Union and Patton Limestones are key resources for their purity and are suitable for use in agriculture and cement production. The red shales of the Maccrady series are suitable for brick manufacture.
The eastern zone of Pocahontas County features Devonian and Silurian rocks that are generally siliceous and not as well-suited for agriculture. However, this region contains significant reserves of iron ore, with both Oriskany and Clinton Iron Ore present. These resources offer potential for future mining and industrial development. The quartzitic ledges found in this zone may also be suitable for building stone or ganister rock.
The county's physiography, marked by folded mountains in the east and rugged terrain due to stream erosion in the west, results from crustal movements and erosion over time. The sedimentary rocks, including sandstone, limestone, and shale, contribute to the county's diverse geological landscape and are key search terms for the region. The presence of various stream terraces, such as those along Shock Run, indicate different stages of erosion.
Key geological formations in Pocahontas County include the Maccrady Series, composed of red shales; the Pocono Series, mainly sandstones; the Chemung Series, with its shales and sandstones exposed along Allegheny Mountain; and the Catskill Series, characterized by red shales. The Marcellus Series with its black shales and the Silurian rocks, such as the hard and resistant White Medina Sandstone, are also notable.
Pocahontas County's mineral resources are diverse, with significant deposits of coal, including the Sewell, Hughes Ferry, Gilbert, and Big Spruce Knob Coals, and limestone, especially from the Greenbrier Series. The presence of iron ore in the eastern part of the county offers additional economic potential. While there are potential oil and gas horizons, structural conditions are not very favorable for these resources.
Specific coal seams include the Sewell Coal, located 100 to 250 feet above the base of the New River Group, and the Hughes Ferry Coal, which has been prospected in several places. The Gilbert Coal is primarily found in the highest ridges of the Little Levels District, and the Big Spruce Knob Coal is noted as occurring around 700 feet below the Princeton Conglomerate. These specific coal names and their relative locations would be useful to include in any SEO work.
The Greenbrier Series limestone is valuable for a variety of uses including road construction, agriculture, and cement production. The Maccrady shales are suitable for brick making. The Pocono Series is primarily made of sandstone and not suitable for agriculture. The sandstones of this series do have some use in heavy masonry, such as the Broad Ford Sandstone. The Silurian rocks are the oldest exposed in the county.
The detailed geology of Pocahontas County, with its various rock formations and mineral deposits, provides ample opportunity for SEO-rich content targeting geology enthusiasts, mining professionals, and those interested in the natural resources of West Virginia.
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