Timeline – The Land is Formed

The Mesoproterozoic Era

The Mesoproterozoic Era is the second era of the Proterozoic Eon. During this era, enormous land masses were moving creating both the formation and breakup of supercontinents. This era created significant advancements in early life forms, due to a relatively stable global climate.

The ancient rocks that form the core of the Appalachian Mountains were part of a mountain range within a supercontinent called Rodinia, approximately 1.1 billion years ago. This supercontinent formed from the collision of several continental landmasses, including Laurentia (which would later become North America) and Amazonia. The collision resulted in a period of mountain building that created the ancestral Appalachians. The collision of these enormous land masses formed the supercontinent, Pangea.

Paleozoic Era During the Cambrian Period

The Cambrian Period of the Paleozoic Era, which lasted from roughly 539 to 485 million years ago was famous for the Cambrian explosion,a rapid diversification of life when most of the major animal phyla first appeared.
A shallow sea covered almost all of West Virginia during this time. Approximately five hundred million years ago, the Appalachian Mountains continued forming during a collision of tectonic plates that formed Pangea, the sole supercontinent.
During the prime of the Appalachians, they probably had peaks as high as those in the Himalayas in Asia and the Alps in Europe.
The ancestral riverbeds of the Cacapon and Potomac Rivers were formed during this time.

Paleozoic Era During the Pennsylvanian Period

Nearly 330 million years ago, during the Mississippian Period, the Appalachian Mountains were again covered in a shallow sea. The Iapetus Ocean was ultimately shifted by geological forces and driven underground beneath the Appalachian Mountains. The Iapetus Ocean still lies underneath the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and has been mined for salt.

Paleozoic Era During the Carboniferous Period

310 million years ago, during the Carboniferous Period, specifically within the Pennsylvanian epoch, was a time of vast tropical swamps and the early evolution of reptiles. This period is known for its rich coal deposits, formed from the remains of ancient swamp vegetation. Also, sandstone was laid down in this region.

Paleozoic Era During the Permian Period

270-250 million years ago during the Permian Period, the Appalachian orogeny, a process in which a section of the earth’s crust is folded and deformed by lateral compression continues and forms the mountain range. The Eastern part of the state experienced continued thrusting and folding creating the famous folds of the Appalachians in this region. The famous mineral springs were formed during this period.

Mesozoic Era During the Triassic Period

200 million years ago during the Triassic Period, the supercontinent Pangea splits apart and the Atlantic Ocean was formed. The Appalachian Mountains were in the final stages of formation.

Cenozoic Era During the Paleogene Period

During the Paleogene Period, approximately 66 Million years ago, it is believed that the dinosaurs and most the plant life on Earth were destroyed by a comet impacting the planet.
50 million years ago the Himalayas, Alps and Andes were formed. The Appalachian Mountains are much older than these more recent ranges. During this time, mammals were evolving and inhabiting the earth.

Cenozoic Era During the Pleistocene Period

During this period spanning from 2.6 million years ago until approximately 10,000 years ago, glaciers advanced through parts of West Virginia damming rivers and creating lakes. Much of West Virginia was tundra and permafrost. Humans arrived about 125,000 years ago.