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National Geologic Map Database
Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Falls Run Granite Gneiss*
  • Modifications:
    • Named
    • Geochronologic dating
  • Dominant lithology:
    • Gneiss
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Piedmont-Blue Ridge province
Publication:

Pavlides, Louis, 1980, Revised nomenclature and stratigraphic relationships of the Fredericksburg Complex and Quantico Formation of the Virginia Piedmont: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper, 1146, 29 p. [Available online from the USGS PubsWarehouse: http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/pubs/pp/pp1146]


Summary:

Named as part of Fredericksburg Complex, replacing the name Berea quartz monzonite of Neuschel and others (1971); name Berea is preempted by Berea Sandstone. Named for Falls Run (upstream from typical exposures), Salem Church 7.5-min quad, Stafford Co., eastern VA. Occurs in a refolded fold that is on inverted limb of a recumbent fold. Consists of pale-pink to nearly white, coarse-grained, strongly foliated granite gneiss. Intruded by Holly Corner Gneiss of Fredericksburg Complex (both new). Age is Middle Silurian to Early Devonian based on U-Pb and Rb-Sr studies that date the unit as 415 to 385 Ma.

Source: GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Reston GNULEX).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Falls Run Granite Gneiss
  • Modifications:
    • Overview
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Piedmont-Blue Ridge province
Publication:

Rader, E.K., and Evans, N.H., 1993, Geologic map of Virginia; expanded explanation: Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, 80 p.


Summary:

Falls Run Granite Gneiss mapped in southern Stafford and northern Spotsylvania Cos. Fredericksburg Complex not used. Described as pink to white, coarse-grained, strongly-foliated hornblende-biotite granite to monzonite gneiss. Dominant minerals are microcline, plagioclase quartz, biotite, muscovite, and hornblende. Accessories include apatite, epidote, titanite, and magnetite-ilmenite. Intrudes Cambrian Ta River Metamorphic Suite and Late Proterozoic and Cambrian Holly Corners Gneiss. Intruded by Mississippian and Pennsylvanian Falmouth Intrusive Suite. Has been dated at 410 Ma (U-Pb zircon and Rb-Sr whole rock, Pavlides and others, 1982). Map symbol indicates a Silurian age.

Source: GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Reston GNULEX).


For more information, please contact Nancy Stamm, Geologic Names Committee Secretary.

Asterisk (*) indicates published by U.S. Geological Survey authors.

"No current usage" (†) implies that a name has been abandoned or has fallen into disuse. Former usage and, if known, replacement name given in parentheses ( ).

Slash (/) indicates name conflicts with nomenclatural guidelines (CSN, 1933; ACSN, 1961, 1970; NACSN, 1983, 2005, 2021). May be explained within brackets ([ ]).