Virginia Energy - Geology and Mineral Resources

Current Projects

Geology and Mineral Resources is currently working on a variety of projects related to geologic investigations throughout Virginia. In addition to researching mineral and energy resources, our geologists produce geologic maps to expand and improve our understanding of Virginia's complex and rich geologic history. Many of our projects are a collaborative effort between the professional science community and other state and federal agencies. Use the images below to browse each of our current projects.

Geologic Mapping

Geologic maps contain an explanation that describes the composition, texture, and age of the rocks and the locations of important features.

Landslide Hazard Mapping

Landslides in Virginia are usually triggered by heavy rainfall, rapid snow melt, or oversteepening of slopes by stream incision.

Carbon Sequestration

A technology with the potential to mitigate the amount of CO2 released to the atmosphere as fossil fuel emissions is known as Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS).

Coal Resources

This project investigates Virginia’s high quality coal which is well suited as a steam coal for electrical power generation in the United States.

Data Preservation

We have maintained valuable collections of geologic materials since the early 1900s.

Offshore Sand and Heavy Mineral Sand Resources

Reports on sand resources and heavy mineral sand content offshore of VA.

Earth MRI

This project provides a new opportunity to create maps that will stimulate domestic exploration for mineral resources that are critical to U.S. security and economic prosperity.

Aggregate Resource Mapping in the Coastal Plain

Virginia Energy is conducting aggregate resource mapping to advance resilience planning in coastal localities.

Past Projects

Geology and Mineral Resources conducts a variety of geologic investigations across the Commonwealth. Many of our past projects have resulted in publications that are available for free download or purchase. Click on the images below to learn more about these projects.

Civil War Minerals

This project investigates Virginia Minerals and their strategic relevance in the Civil War.

Offshore Oil and Gas

This project completed an analysis of Virginia’s readiness for offshore oil and gas exploration and production.

Earthquake Hazard Mapping

This project assessed seismic hazards in the Commonwealth.

Coal Mine Mapping

This project aimed at improving the completeness and accuracy of existing collections of underground mine maps and georeferenced underground mine workings

Devonian Shale Gas

This project evaluated the exploration potential for this gas play in Virginia.

Coal Bed Stratigraphy

This is an on-going project that is intended to provide a stratigraphic framework for all energy-related studies in the Southwest Virginia Coalfield.

Coal Bed Quality

This project enhanced the availablity of our coal quality database.

Coastal Plain Phosphate Deposits

This project aimed to increase our knowledge of the stratigraphic and geochemical characteristics of sedimentary strata in Virginia’s Coastal Plain.

Mineral Resources of Virginia

This project oversees the inventory of mineral occurrences, prospects, mines, quarries, and other mining and processing sites of base and precious metals, industrial minerals, and energy resources.

Geothermal Energy

This project developed a distributed network of databases for the acquisition, management, and maintenance of geothermal data.

Coal Field Geology

This project implemented a Cumulative Hydrological Impact Assessment (CHIA) program for each new, renewed, or revised coal mining permit.