RELICT APPALACHIAN UPLANDS IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE

North of the James River, three large areas of relict Appalachian Uplands (referred to by relict streams/nearby peaks) occur along the crest of the Blue Ridge in northern Virginia. These areas are: 1) the Tye River –Elk Pond Mountain region at Montebello; 2) the Stony Creek-Devils Knob region at Wintergreen; and 3) the Big Meadows-Hawksbill Mountain region along the Skyline Drive. These areas contain elevated, low-gradient drainages above approximately 2600 ft (793 m) elevation with up to ~1500 ft (457 m) of local relief. Below approximately 2600 ft elevation, very steep slopes mark the irregular shape of the ~1000-ft (305 m) high, east-facing Blue Ridge escarpment. In contrast, the west-facing escarpment is generally less steep, several hundred feet lower, and reflects stronger structural/lithology control. Cenozoic mass-wasting and fluvial deposits occur along the base of both escarpments consistent with Cenozoic erosion and migration of the escarpments. Balanced cross sections across the Blue Ridge and fold-thrust belt, detailed geologic maps, LiDAR, geomorphic features, and topographic analysis provide ways of assessing if Neogene or Quaternary tilting and/or vertical displacement of the relict upland regions has occurred relative to incision.