Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Parkway Daniel I. Carey, Martin C. Noger, Donald C. Haney, and Stephen F. Greb

The Caseyville Sandstone, seen here at Lake Malone in Muhlenberg County, lies along the Wendell H. Ford and along the margin of the Western Kentucky Coal Field.

Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway Hardin

Ohio Grayson Hopkins Butler Kentucky Geological Survey Muhlenberg James C. Cobb, State Geologist and Director Caldwell Special Publication 13 University of Kentucky, Lexington Lyon Series XII, 2012 2 Terrain Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway While travelling along the parkway, you will see a variety of terrain. Where natural landforms (lay of the land) differ significantly from one area to another, this generally indicates that each landform is underlain by a different type of rock. These different areas are known as physiographic regions. The major physiographic regions crossed by the Western Kentucky Parkway are the Pennyroyal (Pennyrile), Clifty, and Western Kentucky Coal Field. Figure 1 shows all physiographic regions in Kentucky, as well as the location of the Western Kentucky Parkway.

WARNING: Kentucky law prohibits vehicles from stopping on the shoulders of limited-access highways except in case of emergency—Title 603 KAR 5:025 Sec. 4.

The parkway begins in Lyon County at the junction with 90°W 89°W 88°W 87°W 86°W 85°W 84°W 83°W 82°W near Lake Barkley. West of mile 15.0, the Alluvium 39°N Eastern Kentucky Coal Field 39°N Pennyroyal Region is an upland underlain by limestone and Pine Mountain characterized by complex underground drainage systems Inner Bluegrass Bluegrass Hills Wendell H. Ford marked by sinkholes and caves; the limestone weathers to form Outer Bluegrass Western Kentucky Parkway Knobs thick, reddish residual soils. From mile 15.0 to 20.0, the Pennyroyal/Mississippian Plateau Clifty landscape changes to narrow ridges and valleys underlain by Western Kentucky Coal Field 38°N Jackson Purchase 38°N an alternating sequence of resistant sandstones and less

Kentucky Riv er

Muldraughs Hil l Esca rpme nt resistant shales and limestones: the Clifty Region. 010 20 40 60 Miles Palis ades From mile 20.0 to Leitchfield, the parkway crosses the Western Kentucky Coal Field, one of the most important coal producing areas in the world. The coal field is an upland of hills

Esca rpme nt 37°N Cumberland 37°N with low to moderate relief and wide, poorly drained valleys Dripping

Spri ngs underlain by coal, shale, siltstone and sandstone. From Leitchfield at mile 107.0 eastward to mile 122.0, the parkway reenters the Clifty Region. The route down the 90°W 89°W 88°W 87°W 86°W 85°W 84°W 83°W 82°W Dripping Springs Escarpment on the eastern edge of the Clifty Figure 1. Physiographic regions in Kentucky and location of the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway. leads back to the Pennyroyal Sinkhole Plain, formed by Mississippian limestones similar to those of the first 20 miles. This lower plateau extends to the end of the parkway. Roadlog and Strip Maps Geologic units are shown approximately 0.5 mile on either side of the highway. Figure 2 shows the symbols used on all the strip maps. The construction of these continuous strip maps was facilitated by !36 Mile marker Stream the availability of detailed 1:24,000-scale (1 inch on the map equals 24,000 inches or 2,000 feet on the U (up) # Observation point Geologic fault ground) geologic data in digital form for the entire state; the digital data were converted from geologic D (down) quadrangle maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey in a joint project with the Kentucky 18 Photo location Concealed geologic fault Geological Survey from 1960 to 1978. The parkway’s area is covered by 24 of these maps. Figure 3 shows the 7.5-minute quadrangles the parkway passes through. County line Lakes, ponds The roadlog covers the entire extent of the Western Kentucky Parkway. All descriptions of rock Railroad strata and geologic features are referenced to the highway mile markers that are located at 1-mile Mapped sinkholes intervals along the shoulder of the highway. Mile-marker numbers are the same on both sides of the Highway or road Artificial fill highway. Some of the roadcuts identified during a survey in the 1990’s, particularly into shale, may now Mined area be revegetated. The descriptions were nonetheless retained in order to identify what now lies beneath Oil and gas wells the overgrowth. Figure 2. Symbols used on the strip maps. 3 Q14 Crider N28 Big Clifty Q15 Olney P20 Central City West N29 Summit Q16 Dawson Springs P21 Central City East N30 Sonora Hardin Q17 Saint Charles P22 Paradise M30 M31 Q18 Nortonville P23 Cromwell M30 Cecilia Q19 Graham Ohio N28 N30N29 Grayson M31 Elizabethtown Q20 Greenville O23 O24 O25 O26 O27 O28 R13 Eddyville Hopkins P20 P21 P22 P23 O23 Horton R14 Princeton West Butler O24 Rosine Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 Q19 Q20 O25 Spring Lick R13 R14 Muhlenberg O26 Caneyville Caldwell O27 Leitchfield Lyon O28 Clarkson

Figure 3. The Western Kentucky Parkway passes through these 7.5-minute quadrangles. Stratigraphy

A stratigraphic column (Fig. 4) is a generalized graphic representation of the rock layers present at the earth's surface. Figure 4 shows the rock units exposed along the Western Kentucky Parkway, and indicates the units’ geologic ages. To make it easier to study and describe these stratigraphic units, geologists have subdivided them into groups, formations, members, and beds. A group is a major stratigraphic unit containing two or more formations. A formation is a unit of rock that has characteristic and distinctive rock types and layering that are mappable. A member is a subdivision of a formation that is distinguishable from adjacent parts of the formation. A bed is a rock unit lower in rank than a member, which has a distinctive lithology (for example, a coal bed). The abbreviations used on geologic maps to designate specific rock units are indicated in parentheses after the unit name in Figure 4.

References Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2003, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Butler County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 61, scale 1:63,360. Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2004, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Lyon County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 51, scale 1:48,000. Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2005a, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Caldwell County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 111, scale 1:63,360.

Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2005b, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 110, scale 1:63,360. Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2005c, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Ohio County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 113, scale 1:63,360. Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2006, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Grayson County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 130, scale 1:63,360.

Carey, D.I., and Hounshell, T.D., 2008, Kentucky terrain: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 187, scale 1:750,000. Carey, D.I., Hounshell, T.D., and Kiefer, J.D., 2008, Geologic hazards in Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 185, scale 1:750,000. Carey, D.I., 2011, Kentucky Landscapes Through Geologic Time: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 200, 1sheet.

Carey, D. I., Noger, M.C., Haney, D.C., 2011, Geology Along the : Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Special Publication 11, 10 p. Carey, D. I., Noger, M.C., Haney, D.C., and Dever, G.R., Jr., 2011, Geology Along : Winchester to Ashland: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Special Publication 12, 13 p. 4

Conley, T.J., 2002a, Spatial database of the Big Clifty quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-192. Adapted from Swadley, W C, 1962, Geology of the Big Clifty quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ -192, scale 1:24,000. Conley, T.J., 2002b, Spatial database of the Summit quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-298. Adapted from Moore, F.B., 1964, Geology of the Summit quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-298, scale 1:24,000.

Conley, T.J., 2005, Spatial database of the Greenville quadrangle, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-907. Adapted from Kehn, T.M., 1971, Geologic map of the Greenville quadrangle, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ- 907, scale 1:24,000. Crawford, M.M., 2001, Spatial database of the Elizabethtown quadrangle, Hardin and Larue Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-559. Adapted from Kepferle, R.C., 1966, Geologic map of the Elizabethtown quadrangle, Hardin and Larue Counties, Kentucky: U. S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-559, scale 1:24,000.

Crawford, M.M., 2005, Spatial database of the Saint Charles quadrangle, Hopkins and Christian Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-674. Adapted from Palmer, J.E., 1967, Geologic map of the Saint Charles quadrangle, Hopkins and Christian Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-674, scale 1:24,000. Crawford, M.M., Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2005, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Hopkins County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 91, scale 1:63,360. Currens, J.C., 2001, Generalized block diagram of the Western Pennyroyal karst: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 16, 1 sheet. Johnson, T.L., 2001, Spatial database of the Sonora quadrangle, Hardin and Larue Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-492. Adapted from Moore, F.B., 1965, Geologic map of the Sonora quadrangle, Hardin and Larue Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geo logical Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-492, scale 1:24,000. Martin, S.L., 2002, Spatial database of the Eddyville quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-255. Adapted from Rogers, W.B., 1963, Geology of the Eddyville quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-255, scale 1:24,000. Mullins, J.E., 2002a, Spatial database of the Caneyville quadrangle, Grayson County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, se r. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-1472. Adapted from Gildersleeve, B., and Johnson, W.D., Jr., 1978, Geologic map of the Caneyville quadrangle, Grayson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1472, scale 1:24,000. Mullins, J.E., 2002b, Spatial database of the Clarkson quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-278. Adapted from Glick, E.E., 1963, Geology of the Clarkson quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-278, scale 1:24,000. Mullins, J.E., and Thompson, M.F., 2002, Spatial database of the Paradise quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-1173. Adapted from Kehn, T.M., 1974, Geologic map of the Paradise quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1173, scale 1:24,000.

Nelson, H.L., Jr., 2003a, Spatial database of the Crider quadrangle, Caldwell County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-1283. Adapted from Rogers, W.B., and Trace, R.D., 1976, Geologic map of the Crider quadrangle, Caldwell County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1283, scale 1:24,000.

Nelson, H.L., Jr., 2003b, Spatial database of the Princeton West quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ- 385. Adapted from Sample, R.D., 1965, Geology of the Princeton West quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Qua drangle Map GQ-385, scale 1:24,000.

Nelson, H.L., Jr., 2005a, Spatial database of the Central City East quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-1031. Adapted from Palmer, J.E., 1972, Geologic map of the Central City East quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1031, scale 1:24,000. Nelson, H.L., Jr., 2005b, Spatial database of the Graham quadrangle, western Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ- 765. Adapted from Kehn, T.M., 1968, Geologic map of the Graham quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ -765, scale 1:24,000. 5

Plauché, S.T., 2002, Spatial database of the Rosine quadrangle, western Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-928. Adapted from Johnson, W.D., Jr., 1971, Geologic map of the Rosine quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-928, scale 1:24,000. Smith, P.C., 2002a, Spatial database of the Leitchfield quadrangle, Grayson County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-1316. Adapted from Gildersleeve, B., 1978, Geologic map of the Leitchfield quadrangle, Grayson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1316, scale 1:24,000. Smith, P.C., 2002b, Spatial database of the Spring Lick quadrangle, western Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ- 1475. Adapted from Gildersleeve, B., and Johnson, W.D., Jr., 1978, Geologic map of the Spring Lick quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1475, scale 1:24,000. Smith, P.C., 2003, Spatial database of the Dawson Springs quadrangle, western Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-573. Adapted from Kehn, T.M., 1966, Geologic map of the Dawson Springs quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-573, scale 1:24,000. Solis, M.P., 2005, Spatial database of the Central City West quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-831. Adapted from Palmer, J.E., 1969, Geologic map of the Central City West quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-831, scale 1:24,000. Thompson, M.F., Toth, K.S., Mullins, J.E., and Andrews, W.M., Jr., 2002, Spatial database of the Cromwell quadrangle, Butler and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-1250. Adapted from Gildersleeve, B., 1975, Geologic map of the Cromwell quadrangle, Butler and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1250, scale 1:24,000.

Toth, K.S., 2001, Spatial database of the Cecilia quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-263. Adapted from Kepferle, R.C., 1963, Geology of the Cecilla quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-263, scale 1:24,000.

Toth, K.S., 2003, Spatial database of the Olney quadrangle, Caldwell and Hopkins Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-742. Adapted from Trace, R.D., and Kehn, T.M., 1968, Geologic map of the Olney quadrangle, Caldwell and Hopkins Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-742, scale 1:24,000. Toth, K.S., 2005, Spatial database of the Nortonville quadrangle, Hopkins and Christian Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-762. Adapted from Palmer, J.E., 1968, Geologic map of the Nortonville quadrangle, Hopkins and Christian Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-762, scale 1:24,000. Toth, K.S., Thompson M.F., and Andrews, W.M., Jr., 2002, Spatial database of the Horton quadrangle, Ohio County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-915. Adapted from Johnson, W.D., Jr., 1971, Geologic map of the Horton quadrangle, Ohio County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-915, scale 1:24,000. Trace, R.D., 1981, Middle Chesterian rocks in the Stevens Hill cut, Caldwell County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 11, 1 sheet.

Trace, R.D., and Kehn, T.M., 1968, Geologic map of the Olney quadrangle, Caldwell and Hopkins Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-742, scale 1:24,000. 6 Geologic Time Unit Description Geologic Time Unit Description Scale Scale

Present silt, clay, sand, Bethel Sandstone and sandstone, siltstone, shale, Alluvium (Qal) and gravel Renault Limestone (Mbr) limestone Lacustrine and fluvial deposits (Qlf) gravel, sand, silt, clay Renault Limestone (Mre) limestone and minor shale Renault Limestone and Ste. limestone and minor shale Quaternary Tuscaloosa Formation (Kt) gravel, sand, silt, clay Genevieve Limestone (Mrsg) 2 million Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Msg) limestone, fine-grained years ago Ste. Genevieve Limestone and St. Louis limestone, fine-grained sandstone, shale, silt- Limestone, Upper Member (Mssu) Patoka Formation (Pp) stone, coal, limestone Rosiclare Sandstone Member of the sandstone and minor shale 300 million Shelburn Formation (Psh) Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Msgr)

sandstone, shale, silt- Mississippian years ago Baker (W. Ky. No. 13) coal (13) stone, coal, limestone St. Louis Limestone (Msl) limestone, fine-grained Paradise (W. Ky. No. 12) coal (12) St. Louis and Salem limestone, fine-grained Carbondale Formation (Pc) Limestones (Mss) Herrin (W. Ky. No. 11) coal (11) sandstone, shale, silt- Warsaw Limestone (Mw) limestone, fine-grained Springfield (W. Ky. No. 9) coal (9) stone, coal, limestone W. Ky. No. 7 coal (7) 355 million Fort Payne Formation (Mfp) siltstone and shale W. Ky. No. 6 coal (6) years ago Tradewater Formation (Pt) Mining City coal (mc) sandstone, shale, silt-

Pennsylvanian Elm Lick coal (e) stone, coal, limestone W. Ky. No. 4 coal (4) Tradewater and conglomeratic sandstone, Caseyville Formations (Ptc) shale, siltstone, coal, limestone conglomeratic sandstone, Caseyville Formation (Pca) shale, siltstone, coal, limestone Kinkead Limestone, Degonia sandstone, siltstone, shale, 325 million Sandstone, Clore Limestone (Mkc) limestone years ago Palestine Sandstone (Mpt) sandstone and minor shale Menard Limestone (Mme) limestone and shale Waltersburg Sandstone and sandstone, siltstone,

Leitchfield Leitchfield (Ml)/ Formation Wallow Buffalo shale, limestone

Formation (Mbw) Formation Vienna Limestone (Mwv) Tar Springs Sandstone (Mts) shale and sandstone Glen Dean Limestone (Mgd) limestone and minor shale Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mh) sandstone and minor shale Haney Limestone Member (Mgh) limestone and minor shale Big Clifty Sandstone Member (Mgb) sandstone and minor shale Mississippian

(Mgo) Beech Creek Golconda Golconda

Formation Formation limestone and minor shale Limestone Member (Mgc) Girkin Formation (Mg) limestone, fine-grained Reelsville Limestone (Mr) limestone and minor shale Sample Sandstone (Msa) sandstone and minor shale Beaver Bend Limestone, Mooretown limestone, fine-grained Formation, Paoli Limestone (Mbp) Cypress Sandstone (Mc) sandstone and minor shale Paint Creek Limestone (Mpc) limestone and shale

340 million Bethel Sandstone (Mbe) sandstone and minor shale years ago

Figure 4. Generalized stratigraphic column. Nearly 300 million years of the geologic record are absent in Kentucky, either from nondeposition or erosion, including the Tertiary, Cretaceous, Jurassic, Triassic, Permian, and part of the Pennsylvanian Periods. 15.0 Note the eastern change in landscape from an upland area of complex sinkholes and thick residual soils to a region of narrow ridges and valleys underlain by an alternating sequence of resistant sandstones and less resistant shales and limestones.

Faulting has downdropped blocks of younger resistant 7 sandstone, which stand as Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: ridges above the valleys eroded on older limestones of the Mile 0.0–13.0 upthrown blocks.

1

Limestone is abundant in Caldwell County. The Princeton Mile 10.9: Mississippian Ste. Genevieve Limestone The topography of the Pennyroyal Region along this section of Quarry of the Rogers Group produces 800,000 tons of crushed (Msg) juts from the embankment like prehistoric QR293 beasts. Exposed rocks are rare at the beginning of the parkway ranges from flat river valleys to narrow ridges, stone each year from the Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Msg). ! with elevations ranging from 380 to 710 feet. Photo by Glynn The quarry, on the southeast side of Princeton off of Ky. 91, has the parkway. been in operation since 1891. Photo by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey. Msls ! Geological Survey. QR91

D D U !12 U Qal Lyon County Caldwell County Mre D U Mbe 11 UV1199 Pca !(1 ! Renault (Mre) and Geologic Map Index UV3171 U D !10 Ste. Geneveive U D (Msg) Limestones D U ¤£62 !9 !5 !8 !4 D !7 Mss !6 U U D D U D Mssu U Non-limestone ¤£62 818QR Q14 Crider protective Karst Cave Sinking !3 Ridgetop caprock Sinkhole window entrance stream R13 Eddyville pond Karst R14 Princeton West Vertical valley shaft Tuscaloosa Formation (Kt) of Cretaceous age lies !2 unconformably on St. Louis Limestone (Msl) of Base level stream Mfp Mississippian age. Rocks of Jurassic, Triassic, Spring D Permian, Pennsylvanian, and Late Mississippian !1 U ages, representing an interval of about 250 UV3305 million years, are missing. Mw QR93 Cave Dry Producing Water §24 table ¨¦ !0 passages hole well U D Karst is an irregular limestone region with sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns. Certain rock units have more sinkholes than others. The Ste. Genevieve (Msg) and St. Louis (Msl) Limestones A north-trending fault (not exposed) at about mile form karst features. Fractures in the rock become enlarged when the 15.0 causes the units to dip about 14 degrees to the east. Dip has diminished to about 2 degrees rock dissolves, forming sinkholes and sinking streams. In karst areas, at mile 116.0 most rainfall sinks underground, resulting in fewer streams flowing on the surface than in nonkarst settings. Water flows underground Sinkholes can present problems. The baseball field at Lee Jones through cracks, crevices, and caves, sometimes reemerging at karst Lyon County Recreational Park was moved because a sinkhole windows, then sinks again to eventually discharge at a spring along a formed in the infield. Photo by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological major stream or at the top of underlying impermeable rock. From Survey. Currens (2001). 8 Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 13.0–26.6 Mile 25.4: W. Ky. No. 6 coal, mined commercially

U D Pc U D # E. Fork Bull Cr. !25 26 1220UV ! !24 # 2 East 3 Hopkins !27# County Mile 15.3: Thick limestone overlying shale and ! Mile 15.6: Sandy shale unit in the Glen Dean Lime- Caldwell # thin limestone in the Golconda Formation (Mgo). !23 109RQ stone (Mgd). County Qal Mile 26.6: From Olney GQ (Q15) Mile 23.1: W. Ky. No. 4 D Sandstone Mgo U coal, mined commercially U D #!22 X Mile 15.9–16.1: Contact between shaly limestone of the Glen Dean Limestone (Mgd) and fine-grained sandstone and Tradewater shale of theTar Springs Sandstone (Mts). Flynn River o !21 A north-trending fault (not exposed) at about Units dip about 2 to the east. Minor Fork mile 15.0 causes the units to dip about 14o to fault about 100 feet east of mile 16.1 Mile 21.9: o (Trace,1981). Crabtree Fault the east. Dip diminishes to about 2 by mile (!7!20# 16.0. From Trace and Kehn (1968). Pt Gumlick (!6 D Mile 15.0: The landscape changes to the east from an Branch (!5 U D upland of complex sinkholes and thick residual soils to U !19 narrow ridges and valleys underlain by an alternating # D D 18 (!4 D U sequence of resistant sandstones and less-resistant D U ! 7 U Geologic Map Index shales and limestones. Mc Mme # Mkc Q15 Olney Pca !17 Mpt Q16 Dawson Springs D 293 U RQ # # # !15# (!2 (!3 !16 # !14 Wiley U D Mh Creek Ward Mile 17.3: Waltersburg Sandstone Creek and Vienna Limestone (Mwv); shale, 13 ! Msl siltstone, sandstone, and limestone Mile 20.0: Gray shale in the Tradewater Forma- Mgo Mgd Mts Mrsg tion (Pt). Shale is flaky (lower left photo) and Mpc Mre often contains nodules of an iron carbonate ! called siderite (lower right photo). Mbe

5 Mile 19.5: Ironstone concretions in the Caseyville Formation (Pca) resemble hornets' nests. Concretions form when groundwater dissolves 4 iron compounds from the inner part of a block, then redeposits them as 6 insoluble iron oxide in the outer parts, cementing grains in the original rock. Mile 18.2: Shaly limestone and shale in the Mile 19.7: Sandstone above an unnamed coal Concretions may be released from surrounding softer rock through Menard Limestone (Mme). bed over shale in the Pennsylvanian Tradewater weathering. Formation (Pt). 9 Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 26.7–39.5

Geologic Map Index Q16 Dawson Springs Q17 Saint Charles Q18 Nortonville

Oil and gas are valuable energy resources in Kentucky. In the Morton Gap Field, oil is produced from sandstones in the Pennsylvanian Tradewater Formation (Pt) and the Mississippian Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mh), Paint Creek Limestone (Mpc), and Renault Limestone and Ste. Coal mining is a vital part of the Hopkins and Muhlenberg Genevieve Limestone (Mrsg). County economies. From 1866–2000, Hopkins County Breathitt produced 782 million tons of coal: 475 million from under- Alluvium (Qal) ground mines and 307 million from surface mines. Com- The most common mining methods in western Kentucky Parkway bined production for Muhlenberg County since 1820 is are area (dragline or dozer), slope, and shaft. Both surface more than 750 million tons. Photo by Glynn Beck, Ken- and underground mining has occurred in the area of the RQ813 tucky Geological Survey. parkway. Illustration by Stephen Greb, Kentucky Geo- X logical Survey. X X X X X X XX X X X X X X Qal X X X !37 38 X X X X X ! X X # 39 (!10# X X ! X X X !36 X # Mile 27.1: X X X X ! Hopkins County X X X X X X Mile 28.1: X U X Sandstone Psh !35 X X 3059UV X X Pp U Crabtree Fault X X X X X D # X X 41 X D X 34# X ¤£ ! XX XX X X X D X 33 (!9# ! X X ! # 112 U XCane # X X X 32 Pleasant 27 X X # ! !# X X RunX (!8 2272 X Run UV # X D X !31 28 U !# # X X X X Pc Mile 38.8–39.4: X !30 Mile 34.1: Sandstone of the !29 X Sandstone over Carbondale Formation (Pc) W. Ky. No. 7 coal X Mile 32.3: ¤£62 Sandstone Mile 27.8: W. Ky. Copperas UV1338 Mile 30.5: No. 9 coal, mined Creek Sandstone commercially

10

Mile 39.2: From 1919–2007, western Kentucky produced nearly 450 9 million barrels of oil and 200 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Peak oil 8 Mile 33.2: Pine trees cling to this vertical cliff, fed by production was 14 million barrels in 1964; production in 2007 was water percolating down cracks in sandstone of the 1.1 million barrels. Peak gas production was 22.6 billion cubic feet in 1967; production in 2007 was 370 million cubic feet. Mile 31.7: W. Ky. No. 7 coal, mined commercially. Carbondale Formation (Pc). Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 39.5–52.8 10

Soils from Penn- sylvanian rocks provide the basis for a strong agricultural economy. In addition to corn, soybeans, and tobacco, non- traditional crops, such as green peppers (bottom), are increasingly grown for the White and yellow sulfur precipitates commercial 12 from pyrite weathering in the coal. vegetable market. ! Photos by Glynn Mile 51.3: Crossbedded sandstone deposited by an X X Beck, Kentucky ancient river lies above the Paradise (W. Ky. No. 12) !# Geological Survey. X ! coal in the Shelburn Formation (Psh); mined com- X !52 ( X X (!12# mercially. X !51 X X X X Muhlenberg X X #X XX !50X Little X County X South Graham X XX X 181 X X Cypress RQ Hopkins X X X X XX U Fault 175RQ D X X Q601 Creek County X X U R Mile 41.9: XX D X X XX 2690UV Cypress Sandstone U 49 X Mile 50.1: Springfield X X # 45 ! XXX Creek !44 (!11 ! D !46# U X X (W. Ky. No. 9) coal X D 48 X ! Pc X X !43 X # X U X X X U !47# X X X D D X St. Charles # X D X X X ¤£62 X U X X X North Graham Thompson Oil and gas are valuable energy resources in Fault Qal X #!42 X XX Pond X Fault X Creek Kentucky. In the New Cypress Oil Field, oil is Psh River Drakes X 175RQ produced from sandstones in the Pennsylvanian X Creek X Geologic Map Index X Mile 47.4: Caseyville Formation (Pca) and the Mississippian X U Mile 42.3: X X D U Sandstone X U D P20 Central City West Tar Springs Sandstone (Mts), Big Clifty Sandstone X X !41 Sandstone D Q18 Nortonville Member of the Golconda Formation (Mgb), Paint X over shale X X X Pp Creek Limestone (Mpc), Bethel Sandstone (Mbe), ! X # (!X# Q19 Graham X ! D and Renault and Ste. Genevieve Limestones (Mrsg). # 40 U Q20 Greenville X ! X X U X D D U

Constructed in the late 1950's, Lake Malone—about 15 miles The fishing is good below the outlet spillway of Lake south of the parkway via Ky. 181 or U.S. 431—covers 825 Malone in the Sandstone Hills area of southern Muhlen- acres in southern Muhlenberg County, with branches in Todd berg County. The lake is surrounded by 50-foot sandstone and Logan Counties. The lake was made possible by local bluffs of the Caseyville Formation (Pca) and hardwood 11 game and fishing clubs and is currently the only major recrea- forests with hiking trails. Mile 44.4: Swampy wetlands are remnants of past surface tional site in the three-county area. Photo by Glynn Beck, mining. Kentucky Geological Survey. 11 Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford The 370-mile-long Green River, longest in Ken- Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 52.8–67.0 tucky, begins in Lincoln County and drains more than 8,800 square miles before entering the Ohio River near Henderson. Along the way, it pro- vides recreation and 67.7 No. 13 coal bed water supply, and irri- gation water and wide 16 alluvial valleys for agri- culture. Photo by William ! Andrews, Kentucky Geo- # logical Survey. !67 !66 Green # 13 (!16 River 15 UV1379 !63 # # !64 !65 Mile 53.0: Sandstone in the Carbondale Forma- Mile 63.6–64.0: Baker (W. Ky. No. 13) coal bed in 15 # (! Qal tion (Pc). Just as sand on beaches comes in the Shelburn Formation (Psh); mined commercially. # 62 many colors, sandstones range from brown to ! Ohio County gray. Muhlenberg County

61 Mile 62.1–62.4: Geologic Map Index # ! (!14 Sandstone P20 Central City West Psh P21 Central City East P22 Paradise Mile 58.7: !60 Q20 Greenville Sandstone ¤£62 Mile 56.1–56.4: Sandstone !59 UV2103 # !58 Mile 55.0: Paradise RQ189 (W. Ky. No. 12), Herrin !57 (W. Ky. No. 11) coal 431 # # ¤£ beds !56

!55# ¤£62

Creek

Cypress !54 Mile 60.85: Water 16 Little percolates down !#53 cracks in sand- Mile 65.6: The Tennessee Valley Authority Paradise coal-fired power ! (!13 stone of the Shel- plant is located on the Green River near the village of Paradise. The Carbondale Formation (Pc): burn Formation plant has three units, completed between 1963 and 1970, and three RQ181 Sandstone, shale, coal, (Psh), feeding large natural-draft cooling towers to provide cooling water. In 1985, a Alluvium (Qal): and underclay trees that cling barge unloading facility was added so that coal could be delivered by Silt, clay, sand, to the cliff side. barge as well as by rail and truck. and gravel

14 Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 67.0–80.6 12

Ss

coal underclay 19 shale Mile 80.4: Sandstone, shale, siltstone, and coal in the slumping Pennsylvanian Tradewater and Caseyville Formations (Ptc). Ls The apparent fault outlined in red is thought to be the result of 17 slumping at some point during the deposition and compression of rock-forming sediments. Mile 68.6: Shelburn Formation (Psh) contains sand- 18 stone, Baker (W. Ky. No. 13) coal, underclay, shale, S. Fork Muddy Cr. and limestone. Mile 73.5: Sandy and silty shale Ptc 79 above and below a coal bed in # ! 80# !78 ! !19# !# the Carbondale Formation (Pc). ( Pines can grow on acidic shales. Iron precipitate creates a rusty !77 Qal Geologic Map Index patina (inset). Mile 78.5–80.0: Threelick Sandstone and shale O23 Horton !76 Fork O24 Rosine P22 Paradise Ohio County P23 Cromwell !75 Exit 77: Pc Natcher !74 ¤£231 Parkway (!18# !#73 2720UV Creek # # !71 !72 Mile 67.7: Baker !70 Lewis 369 (W. Ky. No.13) RQ coal bed

!69 Alluvium (Qal): Gravel, (!17# Psh Mile 70.5–70.9: Spring- sand, silt, and clay field (W. Ky. No. 9) coal !68 below silty shale # 1245UV ! ! 1245UV Corn, soybeans, tobacco, livestock, chickens, and timber contribute to the economy of the Western Kentucky Coal Field. Economic diversification is also important to the region. A 1,100-acre industrial Coal mining continues to be a vital part of the Ohio County economy. Extensive surface and underground park, Bluegrass Crossings Business Centre, is mining has occurred in southern Ohio County. The D.B. Wilson power plant (right) in Matanzas, about 8 located near exit 77. It is supported by Daviess, miles north of the parkway, is one of 22 coal-fired electricity-generating plants in Kentucky. Photos by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey. Hancock, McLean, Muhlenberg, and Ohio Counties. Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford 13 Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 80.6–93.6

25 21 23 Mile 85.2: The Elm Lick coal bed in the Tradewater Forma- Mile 92.4: Sandstone over shale over siltstone in the Mile 91.6: Shale unit of the Tradewater and Caseyville Tradewater and Caseyville Formations (Ptc). Buck Cr. tion (Pt) is not thick enough here for commercial mining. The Formations (Ptc). When exposed to air and water, shale pale yellow strata beneath the coal is underclay; below that breaks down quickly. It is unstable on slopes, makes a X is silty shale. X poor foundation, and requires drainage management. It # # ! #!93 does provide an impermeable seal for ponds and waste- Alluvium (Qal): Sand, (!25# Mile 81.9: Mining silt, clay, and gravel (!24#!92 Mile 82.2–82.4: disposal areas. Dog RQ79 City coal bed Creek (!23# Shale # RQ736 505 Ohio County Mile 93.4: RQ Mile 84.4–85.7: Elm Lick coal Mile 86.2: !91 S. Fork # Mile 92.9: Shale over Muddy in Tradewater Formation (Pt) Shale (!22 Creek Sandstone sandstone # !90 ! # # 82 2713 89 (!# !81 ! # # Sixes UV Ptc # ! Creek !88 Brushy Mile 91.2: Geologic Map Index # Pond Cr. Shale 83 87# ! (!20#!84 # # ! RQ340 # # !85 # !86 Grayson County N. Prong (!21 # O24 Rosine Indian Indian Mile 88.6: Shale Camp Cr. 2717UV Camp Cr. over sandstone O25 Spring Lick Mile 81.1: Sand- Mile 82.8: Sand- Mile 86.7–87.0: stone and siltstone stone over shale Sandstone Butler County Mile 84.8: Shale over siltstone

24 22 Mile 91.9: Erodible shale flakes fall from above past 20 Mile 90.7: Shale in the Tradewater and Caseyville Forma- erosion-resistant siltstone. Ponded water on the shale feeds plants. Mile 83.9: Pennsylvanian Tradewater and Caseyville For- tions (Ptc). A lens of siltstone in the flow path is more resis- mations (Ptc) consist of sandstone over silty shale. tant to erosion than the shale. Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 93.6–107.2 14

30 Ragland Quarry, a mile west of Leitchfield off of Ky. 54, produces Most ponds constructed on shale units, such as this 300,000 tons of crushed stone, asphalt, and lime a year from the one off of Ky. 2766 just south of the parkway, are Glen Dean Limestone (Mgd) and Haney Limestone Member of the successful. Golconda Formation (Mgh). Mgb Mgh Mh Mile 106.0: Sandstone of the Mgd Caseyville Formation (Pca) DU * # # Ml 107! ! 28 # (!29 Mile 105.4: Sandstone lies above shale in the Pennsyl- # RQ259 106! vanian Caseyville Formation (Pca); contains heavy oil. RQ187 Taylor #(!28 Fork Mile 102.8: Sandstone of the # 105! McClure Caseyville Formation (Pca) Fork 104!

Grayson County # 103! * * Mile 104.8: Caseyville 102! Formation (Pca) over Mile 99.3: Alluvium (Qal): * Leitchfield Formation (Ml) 27 Sandstone of Clay, silt, sand, * the Caseyville and gravel Mile 101.0: The Mississippian Kinkaid Limestone, Degonia Formation (Pca) * (!27 Sandstone, and Clore Limestone (Mkc) overlies an unnamed 101!# Geologic Map Index coal bed and shale in the Buffalo Wallow Formation (Mbw). O25 Spring Lick O26 Caneyville * O27 Leitchfield # Mbw 185RQ S. Fork 100! * Caney Cr. # * # 94 99 # ! # 26# ! * #! !95 (! * #!98 Mile 100.1: Sandstone over shale !96 # !97 in the Caseyville Formation (Pca) RQ79 Ptc Alder Creek 2766UV (!30 Mile 93.7: Mile 94.8: Silt- Shale stone and shale Mile 96.6–97.9: Sandstone and shale in the Caseyville Formation (Pca). Major tar sand resources are present in the Big Clifty Sandstone Member of the Golconda Formation (Mgb), Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mh), Tar Springs Sandstone (Mts), and Caseyville Formation (Pca) south of the parkway in Grayson, Butler, Edmonson, and Warren Counties. In- place resources are calculated to be in 26 29 excess of 3 million barrels. Photo by Mile 106.4: Interbedded limestone, shale, and silt- Randy Bruner, Marathon Oil. Used with Mile 98.8: Sandstone, coal, siltstone, and shale in stone in the Leitchfield Formation (Ml). permission. the Tradewater and Caseyville Formations (Ptc). 121.3 Beaver Bend and Paoli Limestones Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 107.2–122.0 15 —fine-grained limestone Mile 120.3: Contact between coarse-grained limestone of the Haney Limestone Member (Mgh) and crossbedded sandstone of the Big Clifty Sandstone Member (Mgb), both of the Msa Golconda Formation ! Mr # 122! Mile 117.4, 117.8–118.2: # Hardinsburg Sandstone (!35 Msg (Mh) 121 (!34#! # # Mgb The low winter pool along Rough River Lake in Grayson County reveals the !120 Mbp Big Clifty Sandstone Member of the Golconda Formation (Mgb) along the !119 31 shore. D Mgc U D Mile 109.3: Big Clifty Sandstone Member of # U RQ720 Hardin the Golconda Formation (Mgb). Rainwater !118 County percolates down cracks in the sandstone to Geologic Map Index Mile 116.7: Contact between Hardinsburg # Grayson Sandstone (Mh) and Haney Limestone County feed evergreens clinging to the rock. Member of the Golconda Formation (Mgh) # D Mile 116.2: Haney Limestone Mem- U #!117 ber of the Golconda Formation (Mgh) N28 Big Clifty # N29 Summit Mile 115.1: Haney Limestone O27 Leitchfield Member (Mgh) over Big Clifty Mile 116.9: O28 Clarkson # Sandstone Member (Mgb), Hardinsburg both of the Golconda Formation !116 Sandstone (Mh) Mile 114.8: Hardinsburg (!33#

Sandstone (Mh) over Haney D Limestone Member of the U Mgh Mile 111.3: # Golconda Formation (Mgh) (!32 Clifty Greenish-gray # Mile 113.4: Fine-grained 115 Creek shale of the ! Hardinsburg Sandstone # 33 Leitchfield 34 (Mh) Formation (Ml) Mile 115.8: Haney Limestone Member of the U Mile 120.5–120.9: Big Clifty Sandstone Member D Golconda Formation (Mgh). !114 of the Golconda Formation (Mgb). Vertical oil ¤£62 U # stains are evidence of heavy oil in the Big Clifty, D !113 Mh Mile 108.2: Contact Mile 110.0–110.8: Shaly which has been mined nearby for asphalt. between greenish- RQ88 limestone of the Glen !112 Mgd gray shale of the Dean Limestone (Mgd) Leitchfield Forma- # D U 224RQ tion (Ml) and shaly #111 # ! limestone of the D U D Glen Dean Lime- U # stone (Mgd) Mg !110 UV1214 # D (!31 U 109 U U !D D * # # D Mile 114.8, 115.2: Cedar # 108 Mh ! ! U trees grow where the top Ml D Helm # Qal Fork of coarse-grained lime- Ptc stone of the Haney Lime- Mgh ! stone Member of the Gol- RQ259 Mile 107.5: Glen conda Formation (Mgh) Dean Limestone Mile 108.0: Easterly change meets fine-grained sand- (Mgd) in landscape to an upland 35 area of thick residual soils, stone of the bottom of the characteristic of the Hardinsburg Sandstone Mile 121.6: Beaver Bend Limestone, Mooretown Formation, Mississippian Plateaus (Mh). 32 and Paoli Limestone (Mbp). Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 122.0–136.8 16

¤£31W

!136

567 !135 RQ ¨¦§65 1136 UV RQ61 #

!134 Mile 136.8: End of parkway

Much of Hardin County obtains water from limestone 1904UV Mile 134.3: Weathered clay springs. White Mills Spring, just south of the parkway 37 and chert of the St. Louis !133 on Ky. 84, provides water to the Hardin County Water Limestone (Msl) Mile 128.4: Oolitic Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Msg). District No. 2. Photo by Jack Stickney, Kentucky !132 Rural Water Association. Used with permission. West Rhudes Valley Creek Creek !131

Hardin County

# !130

Alluvium (Qal): Silt, clay, sand, gravel !129 RQ222

Msl (!37#

36 !128 1375UV Mile 124.5: Medium-grained, partly oolitic Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Msg) is mined for use as Msg agricultural lime and construction aggregate. !127 A limestone quarry 1 mile north of the parkway off Ky. # Mile 122.1: The landscape changes from 222 produces construction aggregate and agricultural a sandstone-capped upper plateau, down Nolin lime from the Ste. Genevieve (Msg) and St. Louis Mbp River an escarpment, onto a sinkhole plain !126# (Msl) Limestones. Photo by Jack Stickney, Kentucky or lower plateau. This is the boundary D Rural Water Association. Used with permission. of the Dripping Springs Escarpment. U # D

!125 Mile 125.6, 126.0, Msg 126.7: Ste. Genevieve Msl # Limestone (Msg) Geologic Map Index Msa (!36 !124 M30 Cecilia 37 M31 Elizabethtown # Mile 128.4: Karst terrain characteristic of the eastern end N29 Summit !123 N30 Sonora of the parkway in Hardin County. The Mississippian Ste. # Genevieve (Msg) and St. Louis (Msl) Limestones underlie ! Q84 # R a level to gently rolling landscape, dotted with sinkholes # Mile 123.1: Ste. Gene- and laced with underground caves and flow channels. ! vieve Limestone (Msg)