The National Geologic Map Database is migrating to a new infrastructure. We apologize for any service disruptions during this process.

U.S. Geological Survey Home AASG Logo USGS HOME CONTACT USGS SEARCH USGS
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 ([ ]).