The Geology of Ohio

This live action video is an overview of all the forces which have influenced Ohio for million of years. It points out the long periods of time when seas covered Ohio to form thick limestone deposits; it looks at the work of rivers and streams moving material which has been eroded; it studies the evidence of glaciers as they moved over the land, scouring and depositing. It looks at the rocks and minerals of Ohio and the economic importance of these earth materials. This program will give the earth science student an opportunity to see how this was formed as well as the geologic processes which continue to take place as they slowly change the surface of Ohio.

Download the companion Geologic Map of Ohio (PDF)

58 mins. | IVOH01D $32.95 DVD

58 mins. | IVOH01V $29.95 VHS

Fossil Life of Ohio

This live action video looks at the ancient life which once lived in the oceans that covered Ohio. Fossil remains of plants and animals have been found in Ohio rocks dating back a half billion years! Many plants and animals have become extinct but some have managed to survive even to this day. This program will investigates how fossils are formed, the major types of fossils found in this sedimentary rock; and what the lands and seas looked like when this entire area was a shallow sea or a swampy marsh.

40 mins. | IVOH02D $32.95 DVD

40 mins. | IVOH02V $29.95 VHS

Earthquakes in Ohio

While most people do not associate Ohio with earthquakes, Ohio does have its share! This live action video gives the viewer an overview of earthquakes and the science of seismology. It then brings the viewer to Ohio where there have been over fifty earthquakes measured over the last two hundred years. Rare documentary footage of the 1937 Earthquake in Anna, Ohio (South of Lima) and interviews with the seismologist at Bowling Green State University show the student that Ohio could indeed experience a severe earthquake. Video also discusses how earthquakes are measured and takes a look at fault activity around the state; it also discusses the New Madrid fault in Missouri and how it could affect Ohio.

23 mins. | IVOH03D $32.95 DVD

23 mins. | IVOH03V $29.95 VHS

Ohio's Rocks & Minerals

While the native bedrock of Ohio is primarily sedimentary... mainly limestone, sandstone and dolomite... many other igneous and metamorphic rocks can be found all over Ohio because glaciers brought them down from Canada. This live action video looks at the principle rock types found across Ohio and where they might be found. It also examines the classification, origin, and economic importance of these rocks. Minerals play an important role in the economic and industrial growth of Ohio. This presentation looks at the more important minerals found in Ohio and their locations across the state. Also the program looks at mineral classification, chemical, flame testing and crystal structure. This presentation is an excellent introduction to the study of mineralogy and can be used as supplementary material for earth science labs.

40 mins. | IVOH04D $32.95 DVD

40 mins. | IVOH04V $29.95 VHS

The Geology Along U.S. Route 23
From Columbus to Portsmouth

U.S. Route 23 between Columbus and Portsmouth is a major highway that crosses an area noted for its diversity of geologic features, scenic attractions and historic sites. The highway crosses an area of Indian tradition and pioneer history. But less well known but just as interesting is the GEOLOGIC HISTORY of the region. This is a story that spans 350 million years. This enormous amount of time has seen environments change from war subtropical seas to great continental ice sheets. Each of these environments of the geologic past has contributed to the formation and current configuration of what we know today as the Scioto Valley region. Not only have the erosive and depositional powers of water and ice shaped the Scioto Valley landscape, but also important mineral resources were left behind. The bedrock formations have yielded sandstone for the building industry and shale for ceramic products. Certain glacial deposits are important sources of sand and gravel commodities of vital importance to the construction industry. Numerous sand and gravel pits are visible along the route, some in glacial outwash deposits far south of the farthest advance of the ice sheets, some in esker and kame deposits formed in direct association with the glaciers.

Perhaps less discernible but nonetheless dramatic are the influences of geology on cultural patterns in the Scioto Valley. Most striking is the contrast between agricultural development in the glaciated portion of the route between Columbus and Chillicothe and Portsmouth. Rich soils left behind by the ice sheets on gentle lowland topography have fostered expansive and prosperous farms in the glaciated portion, whereas the thin soils and steep slopes of the forested unglaciated plateau region are not as conducive to agricultural production; indeed, agriculture is confined to the comparatively narrow floodplains of the Scioto River.

Some of the geologic features you will see in this video include:

• Glacial deposits (kames) south of Columbus

• Eskers near Circleville

• The Pickaway Plains

• End Moraines

• Shale and sandstone outcrops indicating a shallow sea

• Mount Logan, inspiration for the Great Seal of Ohio

• Ohio's Shale (Devonian)

• Southernmost penetration of glaciers into Ohio

• Valley of the ancient Teays River

• Sandstone of the Logan Formation

• Outcrops of Portsmouth Shale Ohio River at Portsmouth

Download the companion handout for this program (PDF)

18 mins. | IVGAUSR23CP96D $32.95 DVD

18 mins. | IVGAUSR23CP96V $29.95 VHS

The Geology Along I-77
Between Marietta & Cleveland

To most people, Interstate Route 77 in Ohio is simply a major transportation artery that links Cleveland and Marietta and points between. Few motorists are aware that the rocks and sediments that crop out along the route and the configuration of the landscape record portions of a 350 million year segment of earth history. To the geologist, these rock exposures represent an exciting chronicle of geologic events in eastern Ohio. It is the purpose of this road guide to share some of these observations so that individuals may develop a better understanding of the geologic history of Ohio and perhaps find interstate driving to be somewhat more interesting.

Interstate 77 rocks ranging in age from late Devonian (350 million years ago) through early Permian (270 million years ago) and sediments are exposed along the course of I-77 in numerous road cuts, some of which are quite magnificent; however, the best exposures are long the southern two thirds of the route owing to the mantling effects of glaciation in the northern part of the area. Considerably more attention is given in this guide to rocks of Pennsylvanian age because they are well exposed and because more than three quarters of the route traverses them.

I-77 crosses the heart of the mineral producing region of the state, and many mineral producing operations can be observed while traveling along the highway. Of particular importance to this region are coal, clay and shale, and oil and gas. Sandstone and sand and gravel also are locally important mineral commodities.

Some of the geologic features you will visit include:

• The Redbeds (Pennsylvanian) of Southern Ohio

• Macksburg, site of the earliest oil fields in Ohio

• Ancient sandbar deposits near Belle Valley

• Ancient delta deposits of shale and sandstones

• Sugar creek and the Dover River drainage after glaciation

• Glacial outwash deposits near Canton

• The Sharon and Massilon Sandstone deposits near Akron

• The Bedford Shales and Berea Sandstones near Cleveland

• The Ohio Shale Deposits in the gorge of the Cuyahoga River

Download the companion handout for this program (PDF)

40 mins. | IVGA77BMC96D $32.95 DVD

40 mins. | IVGA77BMC96V $29.95 VHS

The Geology Along I-75
From Toledo to Cincinnati

In just under 4 hours the motorist traveling on Interstate Route 75 between Toledo and Cincinnati can observe geologic features that have formed over many millions of years; a period of time that has seen western Ohio transformed from islands in a warm tropical sea to an ice covered landscape. The diverse conditions of the past have left a geologic legacy that has profoundly affected the activities of mankind in western Ohio. Many of the cities, factories, and farmlands of this region have come into being because of local geologic conditions and resources that have made their development possible.

Twentieth century living has become so fast paced that most of us traveling along the highway never pause to consider how the passing landscape came into being or to ask why some towns have become cities and other remain towns. This road guide was prepared to add to the reader's appreciation of geology and the rich history of the state we live in.

Some of the geological features you will see in this video include:

• The Maumee River Estuary

• The Lake Plains and Black Swamp Area of Northwestern Ohio

• Farmlands after the Black Swamp was drained

• Shorelines of Ancient beach ridges near Bowling Green and Findlay

• Ancient shorelines of Lake Warren, Lake Maumee and Lake Whittlesey

• The Discovery of natural Gas at Findlay

• The Tymochtee Dolomite exposed at the National Lime and Stone Co. in Lima

• Wabash Moraine (end moraine of a glacier)

• Ancient Teays River Valley

• Anna, Ohio site of over half of all earthquakes ever recorded in Ohio

• River systems near Dayton

• Moraines and kames near Dayton

• Ordovician shales and limestone outcrops near Cincinnati

• The Ohio River at Cincinnati

Download the companion handout for this program (PDF)

40 mins. | IVGAI75TC96D $32.95 DVD

40 mins. | IVGAI75TC96V $29.95 VHS

Ohio's Physical Landscape

Who said Ohio is flat and boring? This video introduces the student to Ohio’s physiographic provinces which include the CENTRAL LOWLAND and the APPALACHIAN PLATEAU. But glaciers which once covered a vast portion of the state had a profound effect on the physical landforms of the state. Travel across both the unglaciated and glaciated portions of Ohio. Travel along the Lake Erie shoreline, Kelly's Island and the many scenic natural areas of Northwestern Ohio. View beach ridges, till Plains and the Lake Plains. See how Ohio's Physical Landscape influenced settlements and the growth of industry and manufacturing.

15 mins. | IVOPL96D $32.95 DVD

15 mins. | IVOPL96V $29.95 VHS

What the Glaciers Did to Ohio

Glaciers moving over Ohio have probably had more influence on the present appearance of Ohio than any other force. Continental glacier thousands of feet thick scoured the northern section of Ohio like a giant bulldozer. As the melted they deposited mud, silt and sand which became the fertile soil of Ohio's rich farmland. The video investigates how the ice came to Ohio where the various glaciers reached as well of some of the physical features left behind when the ice melted. An excellent introduction to the study of Glaciology.

Download the companion Glacial Deposits of Ohio (PDF)

30 mins. | IVOH05D $32.95 DVD

30 mins. | IVOH05V $29.95 VHS

The Making of Ohio

The DVD explores the geological forces of work to shape what is now the State of Ohio. Featuring Dr. Jane Forsyth of the Geology Department at Bowling Green State University, this program looks at the fossil record and shows the other geological processes which formed this land including running water and glaciers. The video shows some of the plants and animals which once lived in the region. It looks at how oceans once covered most of the area. It investigates how sedimentary rock such as limestone, dolomite, and sandstone were formed and looks at how glaciers shaped Ohio. Recommended for younger audiences.

35 mins. | IV104D $32.95 DVD

35 mins. | IV104V $29.95 VHS

The Geology of Hocking Hills Park

Hocking Hills State Park is considered by many people to be the most scenic area in Ohio. Located in the rolling hills of Southeastern Ohio, Hocking Hills is rich in natural beauty and geological processes in action. Deep river cut canyons and caves as well as numerous waterfalls make this area a fascinating place to study geology. A special look at re-entrant caves, stream erosion and weathering of the black hand sandstone. Hocking Hills is for the skeptic who says that there is not much geology in Ohio!

30 mins. | IVOH06D $32.95 DVD

30 mins. | IVOH06V $29.95 VHS

Ohio's Canals

Explore some of the 1,000 mile network of transportation canals of Ohio. Constructed during the early 1800s, these canals helped to convert a young state isolation within the frontier of America, into an economic power house in a few short decades. This program documents the history and culture surrounding Ohio’s canals with live action characters reliving the past on a restored portion of the canal. Filmed on location with important historical footnote from across Ohio.

Download the companion Canal Map of Ohio (PDF)

28 mins. | IVOH08D $32.95 DVD

28 mins. | IVOH08V $29.95 VHS