Edgar W. Spencer Home:    540-463-2290 Office    540-463-8866 spencere@wlu.edu espencer@rockbridge.net

Since retiring as a regular member of the faculty, I have continued to use the department as a base for my research work. Gerry Wilkes, Nick Evans and I have completed the geologic map and a report on the geology of Rockbridge County. This is now available through the VA Div. of Mineral Resources in Charlottesville, VA. I have recently completed revision of the Arnold Valley, Buchanan, and Natural Bridge quadrangles for the state, part of the Statemap program of the USGS. Information gathered during this mapping will be used in an atlas I am preparing for the western half of the Buena Vista 1:100,000. This will contain detailed information about localities of special geological interest in this area. Preparation of a naturalist guide to the Blue Ridge is also under way.

Over the last few years, I have continued to work with the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council (RACC). We have published a book, "The Homeowners Guide," that provides information about a variety of subjects including soil, site location, and geologic hazards. A video concerning "Flooding in the Valley of Virginia" has been given to high schools throughout the Valley for use in high school earth science classes. RACC has played an important role in promoting the use of rail as an alternative to trucking on I-81.

I have traveled with several alumni colleges on exciting trips over the last few years. The most recent of these have been a trip around the world and travel to Patagonia.

Education

B.S. in Physics - Washington & Lee University, 1953
Ph.D. in Structural Geology - Columbia University, 1957

Publications

Earlier publications include text books for use in courses on physical, historical, earth science, structural geology, and map interpretation. Other books concern field guides to the foreland of the Appalachians for the International Geological Congress, a field course offered by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and Natural Bridge. Published maps include the Natural Bridge, Sugarloaf Mountain, Buchanan, and Arnolds Valley Quadrangles. My research papers deal with the Precambrian structural geology of the Beartooth and Madison Mountains in Montana, the Blue Ridge, and Valley and Ridge.