The Summer 2024 episode of Shenandoah Valley Ever Green is The Great Geology Road Trip that takes listeners to some of the geologic wonders of the Valley. We’ll visit 3 sites along the Skyline Drive and discuss geologic features that are safely visible along the road. Soil scientist Alexandra Schmidt leads an examination of the soil at the Shrock family’s farm along Linville Creek in Rockingham County. JMU professor Dr. Eric Pyle explains the volcano that erupted in the Shenandoah Valley, then we take a bicycle trip up the volcano. Leslie Sturges of Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia provides information about active mammals in our night sky – the many species of bats in Virginia. Dr. Kelsey Johnson, UVA Astronomy professor, describes the asteroid strike that formed the Chesapeake Bay. And Stuart Mercer of Harrisonburg’s Elk Run Mining Company discusses his process that turns rocks into objects of beauty.
Special thanks to the Virginia Foundation of the Humanities and Sarah McConnell who shared their recording facilities in Charlottesville for this episode.
Reporters: Sam Game, Sarah Golibart Gorman, Nicole Parks, McLaren Reed, Zada Suddeth, & Carolynn Unger
Executive Producers: Ryan Alessi, Tim Thomas
Sound: JMU Libraries Media Production Services
Editing by Ryan Alessi
All music for the program is performed by the group “Many Nights Ahead” with recording by Gene Bowlen at Cross Keys Studios.
Graphic Artist: Annie McGowan
ADDITIONAL CONTENT
The Great Geology Road Trip
Nicole and Abby used Keith Frye’s book _Roadside Geology of Virginia_ (1986) to plan their route. You can use this text as a guide for your next road trip.
Find more information about each of the stops they made along the Skyline Drive at the links below:
Mary’s Rock Tunnel
Stony Man Trailhead
Hazel Mountain Overlook
Volcano Bike Ride
Mole Hill Bikes in Dayton, VA, offers an itinerary for a 10-mile Mole Hill ride.
Bat Walk
Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia (BCRV) partners with Virginia Master Naturalists to host Evenings with Bats by the Pond in the JMU Arboretum throughout the Summer. These sessions will conclude on September 20, 2024. Click here for more information.
The Chesapeake Bay Asteroid Strike
You can find some visuals and additional information about the impact crater that formed the Chesapeake Bay at these links:
https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs49-98/
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/geology/bolide.html