appendix Geologist Report Overview of the Midland Trail’s Geology

SECTION 1: CHARLESTON Over the last 300 million years, the the late 1800s and early 1900s (White). The Midland Trail is a prime brine has migrated to these sandstones The Kanawha Formation also contains example of the tremendous effect TO GAULEY BRIDGE known as the “Salt Sands” (Ludlum).The oil some relatively rare cannel coals used (MILE 0 TO 38) and gas, formed from decomposed marine for extracting lamp fuel oil. By the mid- mineral resources and geology plants and animals mixed in with sea floor 1800s, petroleum had replaced them as Geologist have had on West Virginia. The The Kanawha River Valley’s ancient histo- sediments, has also slowly migrated to these lamp fuel (Workman). As a result of ry is the foundation for its cultural history. rocks.At Burning Spring Creek, gas bubbling their high quality, the Kanawha Claudette Trail is richly endowed with coal, Charleston and the other communities built through the spring was believed to have Formation coals have been extensively oil, gas, limestone, sandstone, along the Kanawha owe their existence to been recognized by Native Americans and mined east of Charleston to the Gauley Simard offers an the area’s 300-million-year-old history. perhaps used for fuel (Eggleston). Bridge area. shale, salt, sand and gravel overview of the At that time, known as the Pennsylvania Technology developed by the Ruffner At Shrewsbury, mile 15, these coals because of its 380-million-year- Geologic Period, North America was near brothers to drill brine wells in 1806 was are being mined and the tipple is still geology of the the equator, ferns were as big as trees, and essential equipment for drilling for oil and active. I recommend this site as an ideal old history. The conditions were dragonflies had three-foot wing spans. The gas later in the century (Eggleston). Oil and pull-off area for signs to describe how Trail perfect for depositing the miner- sandstones that dominate the Trail’s road- gas, which were considered a nuisance by coal formed and its impact on the econ- cuts and cliffs are the remains of sandy the salt-well drillers, were wasted to the omy. Today, the majority of these and and als, then later exposing them for streams meandering across a low-lying extent that the Kanawha River was long other West Virginia coals are burned in easy access. As these minerals coastal area next to an inland sea. Plant known as “Old Greasy” by boatmen power plants like the Glasgow Power recommends give proof that these were stream (Eggleston). In 1841, the value of gas was Plant (mile 20) to supply electricity for were discovered and extracted, rather than beach sands. In places, the first realized commercially when it was used homes and industry.West Virginia is the ways to enhance they attracted people and indus- streams were separated by flood plains to evaporate brine in the Dickinson area nation’s leading exporter of electricity. where mud accumulated and was later (Ludlum). Not until 1826 was oil used for The Kanawha River’s wide flood our scenic try to this area. This had a pro- compressed into thinly layered shales. In lamps in workshops and factories plains provided some of the rare flat other places, swamps were teeming with (Eggleston).The Kelley Creek Oil Field near land for building trails, then, later, roads, attributes. found impact on the culture and luxuriant tropical-like plants that thrived in Chelyan (mile 14) and the Cabin Creek Oil communities, and industry. The River history of the heart of West this hot equatorial climate. The plants died Field near Cedar Grove (mile 18) are has always been a vital transportation and piled into layers that formed peat and important gas producers for the area link to the Ohio River for people and Virginia--the Midland Trail. An were eventually compressed over time into (Gulley, et.al.). Today, Kanawha County is commerce. It has been and still is an increasingly important aspect of coal. Limey mud would settle in large lakes one of the state’s larger producers of gas important water source for local com- or a shallow arm of the ocean would cover and lesser amounts of oil. munities and industry.The Marmet Lock the state, its scenic beauty, is the area and deposit thin layers of what is Coal,West Virginia’s most valuable min- and Dam (mile 8) and London Lock and directly related to the underlying now limestone. Over time, the inland sea eral worth more than $4.5 billion annually, Dam Number 3 (mile 24) maintain a drained and these rock layers were uplifted, was first used commercially in 1817 when it constant river level for barge trans- rocks and processes that shaped then worn down to their present heights replaced charcoal as fuel at the Kanawha portation of products such as coal on them over time. above the Kanawha River. These rocks are River salt furnaces (Eggleston). By 1840, the Kanawha. Flood control dams at typical of the sedimentary rocks (made of 200,000 of the 300,000 tons of coal pro- Bluestone, Summersville, and Sutton In this report, the Midland particles or sediments) found in 99 percent duced that year were used at the Kanawha hold back flooding water that would Trail has been divided into four of West Virginia. salt furnaces (Eggleston). In 1997, 13 million normally inundate communities on the The sandstones have been quarried over tons of coal were produced in Kanawha Kanawha flood plain. I recommend signs parts based on changes in geology the years for decorative building stone and County, ranking it 5th among 28 coal-pro- at the dams to explain the role that the expressed in the landscape. Each crushed stone for making roads. (Haught). ducing counties, a distinction it has held for river plays in the lives of its inhabitants. From the early 1800s to about 1980, some at least the past 30 years (Ludlum; WV The Kanawha Falls Park is an excel- section includes recommenda- of the shales have been used to produce the Department of Mines). West Virginia com- lent place to showcase the scenic beau- tions for pull-off areas and signs tile, building brick, and road brick so com- petes with Kentucky every year for the ty in view of Kanawha Falls and to mon in the area (Haught). position of second leading coal-producing describe the vital role geology plays in to explain the essential role geol- At Malden, the sandstones are a source state. the development of the Falls, the New ogy plays in the available mineral of oil, gas, and brine that have, in places, filled West Virginia’s southern coal fields River Gorge, and the most valuable the tiny pore spaces between the sand formed under ideal conditions to make coals of the state, the New River coals. resources, history, and scenic grains.The brine, or ancient sea water, was them the best low-sulfur coals in the world I also recommend a geologic/scenic sign beauty of the area. instrumental in attracting Indians and, later, (Workman). The low-sulfur “smokeless” for the Kanawha Falls park at the Glen settlers, industry, and workers to the area. coals were premium steam coals sought Ferris Power Plant, mile 36. 11.2 after for steamship and locomotive fuel in 11.3 SECTION 2: GAULEY BRIDGE TO RAINELLE SECTION 3: RAINELLE TO WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS (MILE 38 TO 73) (MILE 73 TO 120)

In this section, the Midland Trail County produced close to four million At the Fayette/Greenbrier County line, at Alta (mile 95),have a definite north- leaves the Kanawha and New River tons of coal in 1997, ranking it 15th of 28 mile 73, the rivers and streams have cut east-southwest orientation from the Valleys to traverse the ridge-tops. The coal-producing counties (WV Department through the younger -age folding.The folding has also raised the Trail climbs a large arch in the rock that of Mines). New River and layers rock layers higher and cracked them, has lifted the ’s Lookout, at mile 58, is at the center of to expose -aged rocks below. enabling erosive forces of water and Nuttall sandstones from 700 feet the arch in the rocks that lifted the New In 1997, 500,000 tons of New River wind to wear the younger under the surface at Dickinson to a River Formation’s sandstones and coals to and Pocahontas coals in Western Pennsylvanian rock layers away 1270-foot elevation at Hawks Nest the surface.This uplift and subsequent ero- Greenbrier County’s hills were produced, completely. This left the older, (Ludlum). sion created the area’s spectacular scenery This tough sandstone is the same and made the valuable New River ranking it 24th out of 28 coal-producing once-buried Mississippian layers at one that produces gas in this area and Formation coals accessible. The arch was counties (WV Department of Mines). At the surface for the rest of the route. brine and gas at Dickinson (Ludlum). folded when the continents collided about one time, all of the coal mined in this At mile 94 is the Boxley Greenbrier Numerous small cascades grace this 200 million years ago. During this collision, county passed through Rainelle (Heck), Limestone Quarry that produces section of the Trail as they flow over rocks in eastern West Virginia were folded making it a booming town as shown by crushed stone mainly for use in building the edge of the resistant sandstones. into northeast-southwest trending ridges. the historic King Coal Hotel at mile 75. roads. Boxley quarries Greenbrier The Trail clings precipitously to the Rock layers closer to the collision point According to Heck, more than 1.5 million Limestone, the limestone that yields New River Gorge’s edge as it winds its (those in eastern West Virginia) were more tons of coal traveled through Rainelle 60% of the state’s production. way to the top of Gauley Mountain. En severely folded than those farther away annually during the 1930s.This is the last Greenbrier County, West Virginia’s route, it passes through thirty of the (western part of the state).As a result, the leading limestone-producing county, 100 coal zones in the state, 20 of which Midland Trail will pass through more and coal seen on the Trail driving east,because are worked commercially somewhere more severely folded rock layers as it tra- the rest of the Trail is in older quarries almost three millions of the in West Virginia (Ludlum). The New verses eastward. Mississippian-aged rocks which do not state’s fifteen-million-ton total. West River Formation coals of the area “fur- Babcock State Park, about three miles have any mineable coal. Virginia’s limestone is mainly used in nish some of the purest coal and cokes from the Midland Trail on Route 41, is The communities from Rainelle to Sam the state’s roads, although some is of the state,” according to I.C.White. another recommended geologic/scenic Black Church are on the wide flood plain sold to other states. I recommend a geology/scenic sign stop. Glades and Mann’s Creeks have of the Meadow River and its tributaries. The Greenbrier Limestone contin- at Hawks Nest State Park or one of carved a 1000-foot gorge on their journey These streams have worn through ues westward to underlie the younger the scenic pull-offs before the park. to the New River.The gorge slices through Mississippian rock that is much easier to Pennsylvanian rock. Along the Trail, it From any of them, West Virginia’s the Pennsylvanian-aged New River and ranges in thickness from 600 feet in name, the “Mountain State”, will be Pocahontas Formations to expose the erode than the tough New River sandstones strikingly obvious from the scenery, Mississippian-aged rock (approximately downstream. As a result, the streams have this county to 200 feet at the Ohio rugged topography, and geology typical 340 million years old) below. used their erosive energy to cut unusual- River (McCue, et.al.).The Greenbrier’s of the greater part of central West The distinctive rust color of the rock ly wide valleys through this area. The thickness and marine shell fossils are Virginia. The spectacular view of the along the Trail from mile 60 to mile 94 is Meadow River and its tributaries meander proof that West Virginia was under the New River 510 feet below (Ludlum) from iron in the rock that rusted when lazily across it and pond into numerous ocean for an extended period of time will be a perfect backdrop to explain exposed to air.The color occurs in some of wetlands. I recommend a geologic/scenic about 340 million years ago. The the rock’s effect on the river, the histo- the Pennsylvania rocks, but is even more sign at Rainelle to explain this interesting Greenbrier Limestone below the sur- ry of the river, and how Union Carbide pronounced in the older Mississippian- feature. face has been one of the state’s lead- harnessed its energy to produce aged Mauch Chunk Group of rocks from ing gas producers and a less significant hydroelectric power. Rainelle to just beyond Clintonville. One of The dividing line between the rock In the past, beehive coke ovens at the Mauch Chunk sandstones that is slight- layers that are horizontal and the layers oil producer (Avary). Ansted, Boomer (Gulley), and many ly iron-stained into a beautiful pink and yel- that are folded is at Clintonville, mile 91. From Richland, at mile 99, to other parts of the state burned coal to low color is quarried and cut into building From Charleston to a few miles west of Lewisburg, the Midland Trail traverses concentrate the fuel. The result is a stone near Alderson. Scenic view areas this point, the rock layers appear to be prime examples of land features clean-burning fuel used in smelting iron near mile 69 would be ideal places to flat. From this point east, they are inclined unique to limestone. Because lime- and steel and for domestic heat explain the role which the area’s ancient or dipping at an angle from the folding stone slowly dissolves from rainwater, (Ludlum).The Sewell seam of the New history plays in creating the terrain, espe- that occurred during continental collision which is naturally slightly acidic, it River Formation coals, which is com- cially since the highest elevation on the about 200 million years ago.The ridges on often contains caves, sinking creeks, mercially mined almost exclusively in Midland Trail is nearby. the rest of the journey, like Brushy Ridge sinkholes (depressions on the land), Fayette County, was mined for coking 11.4 as well as other uses (Ludlum). Fayette con’d 11.5 and springs. Numerous fine examples In summary, geology is the of these land forms can be seen on foundation of the Midland Trail. either side of the Trail toward Because of the ancient history Bibliography Lewisburg. More spectacular examples enroute, coal, oil, gas, limestone, include the very large sinkhole that AVARY, K.West Virginia Geological Survey, Morgantown,WV, personal Lewisburg is built in and Lost World sandstone, shale, water, sand and communication, 1998. Caverns located about three miles gravel are present and accessible to north of town. Because limestone is maintain life throughout the Trail CROSS,A.T. and SCHEMEL, M.P.“Economic Resources in Geology and slowly dissolved over time, it forms Economic Resources of the Ohio River Valley in West Virginia,” and West Virginia. They have been Part J, West Virginia Geological Survey,Vol. 22. wide fertile valleys that are prime agri- instrumental in attracting people cultural land, a bonus for this county. I and industry to the area and EGGLESTON, J.R.“A Bicentennial Story: History of West Virginia’s recommend a scenic/geologic pull-off Mineral Industry”, West Virginia Geological Survey, December news- with signs near Richland or Lewisburg profoundly influencing the culture, letter, 1975, pp. 23-33. to explain these interesting features. history and economy of the heart of At the eastern edge of Lewisburg, the state. The Trail’s exquisite FRIDLEY, H.M.“The Geomorphic History of the New-Kanawha River close to mile 106, the Midland Trail scenery lies on the backbone of its System”, West Virginia Geological Survey Report of Investigation,No. 7, 1950. travels on Greenbrier Mountain, geology. The story of how geology has which was formed from the resistant sandstones of the Mississippian set the stage for life on the Midland GULLEY, G.M., R.E SHERRILL,AND P.H.PRICE, Log of pre-convention field trip,American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ mid-year MacCrady and Pocono Groups. At Trail can only add to the traveler’s meeting, West Virginia Geological Survey, 1937. mile 108, the Trail crosses the enjoyment of this Scenic Byway. Greenbrier River, which drains the HAUGHT, O.L.“Geology of the Charleston Area”, West Virginia Geologic- eastern half of the county and flows al Survey, Bulletin 34, 1968. into the New River at Hinton. From Caldwell to the Greenbrier Resort in HECK, E.T. Log for West Virginia 1939 trip, field conference of Pennsylvan- White Sulphur Springs, the Trail is built ia Geologists, West Virginia Geological Survey, 1939. on Howard Creek’s flood plain, which was carved through the oldest rock KESSLER, F. Barboursville Brick Manufacturing Company, Barboursville, WV, personal communication, 1998. en route, the 380-million-year-old shales. The world-famous LUDLUM, J.C. Description of the area and log of field trip for Antony Gap White Sulphur Springs emerge from and return,American Petroleum Institute, Eastern District Spring these shales (Ludlum). The medicinal Meeting,White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia Geological Survey, waters of the springs and the mild 1954. summer temperatures have attracted tourists to White Sulphur Springs McCOLLOCH, J.S.“Springs of West Virginia”, West Virginia Geological since the mid-1700s. Survey V-6A, 1985. McCUE, J.B., J.B. LUCKE,AND H.P.WOODWARD.“Limestone of West RECOMMENDED ACCOMPANYING Virginia”, West Virginia Geological Survey V-12, 1939. PHOTOS Shrewsbury Coal Tipple WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF MINES MINERS’ HEALTH, SAFETY, London Lock and Dam Number 3 AND TRAINING,Annual Report, 1997. Waterfalls of Kanawha Falls by Glen Ferris Park WHITE, I.C.“Levels Above Tide True Meridian’s Report on Coal”, West Hawks Nest Overlook on Route 60 Virginia Geological Survey,Vol. 2, 1903. Wetlands near mile 83 by Rupert, with stream bends WORKMAN, M.West Virginia University Institute of Technology and View of Teays Valley showing its river valley form Industrial Archaeology, personal communication, 1998. Ohio River flood wall from 11th Street mari- na in Huntington 11.6 11.7