Geological imaging flights to occur in Appomattox County
Pictured is a type of U.S. Geological Survey aircraft that will be conducting low-level geological imaging in Appomattox and other counties over the next year. (U.S. Geological Survey/Contributed)

RESTON, Va. — Low-level airplane and helicopter flights are planned over broad regions of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia to image geology using airborne geophysical technology. The airborne survey will be conducted from August of 2024 for approximately one year, weather and wildfire restrictions permitting.

The survey is being coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with the goal of providing images that expand the fundamental knowledge of geology across the region. The survey area was chosen due to its both known and suspected mineral occurrences.

The survey will help map rocks and minerals at the surface across vast regions that may have limited outcrop due to vegetation and unconsolidated rock cover. It will also help map subsurface geology, where some rocks can be located hundred to thousands of meters (more than 3280 feet) below the surface based on their magnetic signature. Such mapping can improve the understanding of the geologic framework within which the potential mineral resource may occur.

Flights will cover areas within the following counties:

Virginia: Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buena Vista, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Charlottesville, Covington, Craig, Cumberland, Danville, Fluvanna, Franklin, Goochland, Greene, Halifax, Harrisonburg, Henry, Highland, Lexington, Louisa, Lunenburg, Lynchburg, Madison, Martinsville, Mecklenburg, Nelson, Nottoway, Orange, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Roanoke, Roanoke City ,Rockbridge, Rockingham, Salem, Staunton, and Waynesboro.

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