GH West Virginia Natural Resources 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: West Virginia is sometimes called the 'Saudi Arabia of Coal' because it has among the largest reserves of which type of high-quality coal?
- Bituminous coal (Correct answer)
- Anthracite coal
- Lignite coal
- Sub-bituminous coal
Correct answer: Bituminous coal
West Virginia holds vast deposits of bituminous coal, which burns hotter and cleaner than lower grades and has driven the state's economy for over a century.
Question 2: Which river system drains most of West Virginia and flows into the Ohio River?
- Kanawha River system (Correct answer)
- Potomac River system
- James River system
- New River system
Correct answer: Kanawha River system
The Kanawha River and its tributaries drain a large portion of West Virginia before joining the Ohio River at Point Pleasant.
Question 3: West Virginia's forests cover approximately what percentage of the state's land area?
- About 78% (Correct answer)
- About 40%
- About 55%
- About 90%
Correct answer: About 78%
Approximately 78% of West Virginia is forested, making it one of the most heavily forested states in the eastern United States.
Question 4: Which valuable hardwood tree, prized for furniture-making, is native to West Virginia's forests?
- Black walnut (Correct answer)
- Douglas fir
- Redwood
- Live oak
Correct answer: Black walnut
Black walnut trees grow throughout West Virginia's forests and produce some of the most prized hardwood for fine furniture and gunstocks.
Question 5: The Marcellus Shale formation beneath West Virginia contains large deposits of which natural resource?
- Natural gas (Correct answer)
- Crude oil
- Coal
- Uranium
Correct answer: Natural gas
The Marcellus Shale is one of the largest natural gas formations in North America, and hydraulic fracturing has made West Virginia a significant gas producer.
Question 6: What is the name of the major national forest that covers large portions of eastern West Virginia?
- Monongahela National Forest (Correct answer)
- George Washington National Forest
- Jefferson National Forest
- Allegheny National Forest
Correct answer: Monongahela National Forest
The Monongahela National Forest covers nearly 1 million acres in eastern West Virginia, protecting spruce forests, wetlands, and wilderness areas.
GH West Virginia Natural Resources 1
West Virginia is sometimes called the 'Saudi Arabia of Coal' because it has among the largest reserves of which type of high-quality coal?