No, and geologically there is no reason to expect one to appear. There is evidence, however, of multiple ash falls from ancient volcanoes preserved in rocks of Cambrian, Ordovician, and Devonian age in outcrops in eastern West Virginia and in the subsurface in the western part of the State, and in a flint clay in the Hernshaw coal bed of Middle Pennsylvanian age (Kanawha Formation) in southern West Virginia.

Only a limited variety of gemstones are found in West Virginia, because the types of rocks found in the State are not those associated with the formation of most gemstones. Most natural gems are hard minerals formed from the crystallization of gases and fluids in the earth and are found with either igneous rocks (solidified molten material) or metamorphic rocks (changed by heat, pressure, or chemical reaction).

A trick question? The answer could be June 20, 1863, the day West Virginia attained statehood. Actually, there are written references to coal being mined in the Kanawha Valley in the 1700s. For additional information, refer to A Look at the History of Resource Development: Coal.

The deepest well was drilled in 1974 by Exxon USA in Calhoun County, to a depth of 20,222 feet, bottoming in the Precambrian basement. The well, permit number 2503, was dry with a gas show in the Big Lime and oil shows in the Upper Devonian shale and the Marcellus shale.

There are no granite bodies exposed in West Virginia. Workers from the Survey have identified a number of "shallow," intrusive igneous dikes, sills, and plugs with compositions ranging from basalt to andesite that cut across sedimentary rocks of Ordovician through Devonian age. These rocks are exposed at the surface in Pendleton County and are reported in subsurface well drilling records from other counties such as Pocahontas. These dikes, sills, and plugs are younger than the rocks they cut.

Outcrops of four metamorphic formations occur along the eastern boundary of Jefferson County in the eastern panhandle. The Precambrian metaigneous Catoctin greenstone consists of metamorphosed basalt lava flows. Three Lower Cambrian metasedimentary formations include (from older to younger) the Weverton quartzite (a metamorphosed sandstone), Harpers phyllite (a metamorphosed shale), and Antietam quartzite (a metamorphosed sandstone).

Annual coal production in West Virginia for 2002 was 163.3 million short tons. See Summary Coal Production, by Year (262 KB) for data available since 1985. In 2002,, 163,347,203 tons of coal were mined in West Virginia. West Virginia coal is used nationally and internationally. In 1997, 38,450,000 tons were exported to foreign ports, representing about 46 percent of the total coal exports from the United States. Much of the exported coal from West Virginia is used for steel manufacturing.

For many years, West Virginia was the largest producer of natural gas east of the Mississippi River. In recent years, it has still produced significant amounts of natural gas in the Appalachian Basin. Reported production in 2001 was 191 Bcf (billion cubic feet) of natural gas and 1.607 million bbl (barrels) of oil. We have seen published illustrations of drilling and production activity in the Burning Springs area of Wirt County from the late 1850s.

In the mid-1980s, some oil was produced from the Balltown sand of Upper Devonian age at a depth of approximately 2,900 to 3,200 feet in the Belington field in southern Barbour County. Some oil was produced from Devonian shales in northwestern West Virginia around the same time. A few wells produced oil from the Devonian Oriskany Sandstone at depths between 4,800 and 5,100 feet, and three wells produced oil from the Silurian Newburg sand at a depth of 5,500 to 5,800 feet.

The third-largest diamond ever found in the United States, the "Punch" Jones Diamond, was found near Peterstown, in Monroe County, within one-half mile of the Virginia state line. It has been suggested that the diamond actually occurred in rocks in Virginia and that erosion carried it to the West Virginia side of the state line. There are no other likely sites for diamonds in this State. No other precious gems are known to have been found in West Virginia.

We know of no true dinosaur fossils found in the State because the sedimentary rocks in West Virginia are too old (Paleozoic in age). Dinosaurs existed during the Mesozoic Era, but there are no known sedimentary rocks of Mesozoic age and no known rocks derived from Mesozoic rocks in the State. Any Mesozoic rocks that might have covered the State have been eroded away. Dinosaur tracks and some bones are found in Mesozoic rocks in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.

Water quality involves complex issues that do not have simple answers. Many factors affect water quality, including climate, geology, soils, and human activities. The intended use of the water determines if the water quality is satisfactory for that use. For example, water that is suitable for industrial use many not be appropriate for use as drinking water. Water quality is tested by chemical analysis.

estimated 176 million gallons of water were withdrawn per day by public-supply facilities in West Virginia during 1995. Nearly 80 percent of public-supply withdrawals were from surface-water sources. Most of the water withdrawn from surface-water and ground-water sources by public water supply facilities is treated and distributed to customers for residential, commercial, industrial, and public uses.

West Virginia does not have professional registration for geologists at this time. Other states such as Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Virginia do have formal registration or certification procedures. Some geologists practicing in West Virginia are registered in other states or are certified by such organizations as the American Institute of Professional Geologists or Division of Professional Affairs of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

West Virginia residency is not required. Any United States Citizenship requirements are routinely waived. Non-citizens must be able to work legally in this country and present documents verifying immigration status.

There are 4240 known caves in West Virginia, 110 of which have a mile or more of passage. There are eleven caves with more than ten miles of passage and six caves with more than 20 miles of passage. 6 of the 25 longest caves in the US are located in West Virginia. One West Virginia cave has more than 45 miles of passage.

The Foundation will work with you to find placement in a location that best meets your needs. Typically, internships are sought in the student's surrounding area. However, accommodations can be arranged for those interested in working away from home. For example, many summer internships are offered at the I-79 Technology Park, in Fairmont, so students can choose to live in the dorms at Fairmont State College.

If you are born on or after December 31st, 1986 you are required to get the Boater Education Card to operate any powered watercraft including PWCs. Everyone may operate a vessel of up to 10 hp if they have passed a boating safety course approved by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Anyone 16 years of age or older may operate any motorized vessel if they have passed a boating safety course, approved by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

WVMM attempts to bring together into one central location, all forms of West Virginia arts & crafts items currently for sale by the folks in the mountains of West Virginia. The craft artisans may or may not have their own ecommerce websites. By bringing all of our state's artisans together into one convenient location, WVMM.com makes it easier for you to find what you're looking for and gives our artisans another much needed outlet for their craft.