Geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes
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35133_Geo_Michigan_Cover.qxd 11/13/07 10:26 AM Page 1 “The Geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes” is written to augment any introductory earth science, environmental geology, geologic, or geographic course offering, and is designed to introduce students in Michigan and the Great Lakes to important regional geologic concepts and events. Although Michigan’s geologic past spans the Precambrian through the Holocene, much of the rock record, Pennsylvanian through Pliocene, is miss- ing. Glacial events during the Pleistocene removed these rocks. However, these same glacial events left behind a rich legacy of surficial deposits, various landscape features, lakes, and rivers. Michigan is one of the most scenic states in the nation, providing numerous recre- ational opportunities to inhabitants and visitors alike. Geology of the region has also played an important, and often controlling, role in the pattern of settlement and ongoing economic development of the state. Vital resources such as iron ore, copper, gypsum, salt, oil, and gas have greatly contributed to Michigan’s growth and industrial might. Ample supplies of high-quality water support a vibrant population and strong industrial base throughout the Great Lakes region. These water supplies are now becoming increasingly important in light of modern economic growth and population demands. This text introduces the student to the geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes region. It begins with the Precambrian basement terrains as they relate to plate tectonic events. It describes Paleozoic clastic and carbonate rocks, restricted basin salts, and Niagaran pinnacle reefs. Quaternary glacial events and the development of today’s modern landscapes are also discussed. Coastal issues and mineral resources are detailed. Students will develop a better appreciation for the importance of geology to the inhabitants of the region today. About the authors Dr. Robb Gillespie is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Research Associate with the Michigan Core Repository for Research and Education (MCRRE) at Western Michigan University. Dr. Gillespie has over 24 years experience in the oil and gas industry having worked for ARCO Oil and Gas in their domestic, international, and research groups, and for COHO Resources redeveloping old oil fields. He has also oper- ated his own oil and gas consulting business since 1992, and co-founded Tres Rios Resources, Inc. (TRR), a small oil and gas company in 1993. Dr. Gillespie’s geological specialty is reser- voir delineation, characterization and modeling based upon detailed stratigraphic analysis. Dr. William B. Harrison, III is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Geosciences and Director of the Michigan Basin Core Research Laboratory that is part of the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE) at Western Michigan University. Dr. Harrison has over 34 years experience in research related to sedimentary geology, Michigan stratigraphy and petroleum geology. He is the founder of the Michigan Basin Core Research Laboratory (1982). He taught Undergraduate and Graduate students at Western Michigan University for 30 years. He continues to be active in research and outreach related to Michigan geology. G. Michael Grammer is Director of the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education at Western Michigan University and an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences. He received his B.A. from the University of South Florida, M.S. from Southern Methodist University and Ph.D. from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. He has been at WMU since 2002 after earlier stops in the oil and gas industry and as a faculty member at the University of Miami. His specialties include carbonate sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy. © Linda Harrison. Michigan Potato Patch Falls, Lake Superior, Munising, Michigan. Cross-bedded sand- Geology of Michigan stone, Chapel Rock Member, Cambrian Munising Formation. Wave-cut platform Visit Cengage and the Great Lakes and undercut rock Custom Solutions online at ledges. Trees on www.custom.cengage.com Robb Gillespie, William B. Harrison III, older wave-cut plat- form formed during For your lifelong learning needs: and G. Michael Grammer a higher, post- www.academic.cengage.com glacial lake stage. Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education Dark-colored, basaltic glacial Western Michigan University erratic on shoreline. 35133_Geo_Michigan_INC.qxd 11/13/07 10:27 AM Page ii 1987 BEDROCK GEOLOGY OF MICHIGAN BEDROCK GEOLOGY OF EASTERN UPPER PENINSULA MACKINAC BRECCIA BOIS BLANC FORMATION GARDEN ISLAND FORMATION BASS ISLAND GROUP SALINA GROUP SAINT IGNACE DOLOMITE POINT AUX CHENES SHALE ENGADINE GROUP MANISTIQUE GROUP BURNT BLUFF GROUP KEW EENAW CABOT HEAD SHALE MANITOULIN DOLOMITE QUEENSTON SHALE BIG HILL DOLOMITE HOUGHTON STONINGTON FORMATION UTICA SHALE MEMBER COLLINGWOOD SHALE MEMBER TRENTON GROUP BLACK RIVER GROUP ONTONAGON BARAGA PRAIRIE DU CHIEN GROUP TREMPEALEAU FORMATION MUNISING FORMATION GOGEBIC LUCE MARQUETTE ALGER CHIPPEWA IRON MACKINAC SCHOOLCRAFT DELTA DICKINSON BEDROCK GEOLOGY OF WESTERN UPPER PENINSULA MACKINAC BRECCIA JACOBSVILLE SANDSTONE FREDA SANDSTONE EMMET NONESUCH FORMATION MENOMINEE CHEBOYGAN COPPER HARBOR CONGLOMERATE OAK BLUFF FORMATION PRESQUE ISLE PORTAGE LAKE VOLCANICS CHARLEVOIX SIEMENS CREEK FORMATION MONTMORENCY INTRUSIVE ANTRIM QUINNESEC FORMATION ALPENA OTSEGO PAINT RIVER GROUP LEELANAU RIVERTON IRON FORMATION BIJIKI IRON FORMATION NEGAUNEE IRON FORMATION GRAND TRAVERSE OSCODA ALCONA IRONWOOD IRON FORMATION KALKASKA CRAWFORD BENZIE DUNN CREEK FORMATION BADWATER GREENSTONE MICHIGAMME FORMATION GOODRICH QUARTZITE MANISTEEWEXFORD MISSAUKEE ROSCOMMON OGEMAW IOSCO HEMLOCK FORMATION MENOMINEE & CHOCOLAY GROUPS BEDROCK GEOLOGY OF ARENAC EMPEROR VULCANIC COMPLEX LOWER PENINSULA SIAMO SLATE & AJIBIK QUARTZITE MASON GLADWIN PALMS FORMATION RED BEDS LAKE OSCEOLA CLARE CHOCOLAY GROUP GRAND RIVER FORMATION HURON RANDVILLE DOLOMITE SAGINAW FORMATION ARCHEAN ULTRAMAFIC BAYPORT LIMESTONE BAY ARCHEAN GRANITE & GNEISSIC MICHIGAN FORMATION OCEANA MECOSTA ISABELLA MIDLAND ARCHEAN VOL. & SEDIMENTARY MARSHALL FORMATION NEWAYGO COLDWATER SHALE TUSCOLA SANILAC SUNBURY SHALE BEREASS&BEDFORDSH SAGINAW GRATIOT BEDFORD SHALE MUSKEGON MONTCALM ELLSWORTH SHALE LAPEER ST CLAIR ANTRIM SHALE SHIAWASSEE TRAVERSE GROUP KENT GENESEE OTTAWA BELL SHALE IONIA CLINTON DUNDEE LIMESTONE MACOMB DETROIT RIVER GROUP SYLVANIA SANDSTONE OAKLAND MACKINAC BRECCIA LIVINGSTON BARRY EATON INGHAM BOIS BLANC FORMATION ALLEGAN GARDEN ISLAND FORMATION BASS ISLAND GROUP WAYNE SALINA GROUP WASHTENAW VAN BUREN KALAMAZOO CALHOUN JACKSON SOURCE BERRIEN MONROE CASS ST JOSEPH BRANCH HILLSDALE LENAW EE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Michigan LAND AND MINERALS SERVICES DIVISION RESOURCE MAPPING AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY RMAP Michigan Resource Information System Part 609, Resource Inventory, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended. Automated from "Bedrock Geology of Michigan," 1987, 1:500,000 scale, which was compiled from a variety of sources by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Geological Survey Division. Date: 11/12/99 02040Miles N From State of Michigan, Department Natural Resources. State of Michigan: Bedrock Geology Map 35133_Geo_Michigan.qxd 11/14/07 6:21 PM Page 1 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS TO ASK Michigan.1 Introduction Ⅲ Why is the geology of Michigan important to students of physical geology and to all the inhabitants of the state today? Michigan.2 Precambrian and Paleozoic Geology Ⅲ What is the structural pattern of the sedimentary rock layers of the Michigan Lower Peninsula that makes it a basin? Ⅲ What are the various regional structural or geologic elements that define the margins of the Michigan Basin? Ⅲ What are the ranges of ages for sedimentary rocks in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula? Ⅲ Describe the main geologic differences in rock in Michigan’s Eastern and Western Upper Peninsula. Michigan.3 Quaternary Geology Ⅲ What were the main controlling factors during formation of the Great Lakes basins? Ⅲ When was the last glacial (Wisconsinan) event? Ⅲ Where did erosional and depositional glacial landscapes develop in the Great Lakes watershed? Ⅲ What types of depositional landforms are found throughout Michigan? Ⅲ What types of modern-day coastal features are currently evolving along Michigan’s shorelines? Ⅲ How did the inland lakes in Michigan form? Michigan.4 Modern-Day Geologic Processes Ⅲ What are the two main types of shoreline found around the Great Lakes in Michigan? Ⅲ Name three processes that reshape the Michigan shoreline and a depositional feature produced by each process. Michigan.5 Geology of Water Resources Ⅲ What are the two types of geologic materials that contain groundwater in Michigan? Michigan.6 Mineral Resources Ⅲ What is “banded iron formation” (BIF)? Ⅲ What are the main types of copper ore? Ⅲ Name some of the other non-metallic mineral resources produced in Michigan. Michigan.7 Oil, Gas, and Coal Resources Ⅲ When and where was oil first discovered in the Michigan Basin? Ⅲ What was the significance of discovering oil at the Saginaw, Muskegon, and Mt Pleasant Fields? Ⅲ What geologic factors controlled the ultimate shape and size of the Albion-Scipio Field? Ⅲ What oil and gas exploration and development plays were important in Michigan in the 1970s and 1980s? In the 1990s and 2000s? © 2008 Cengage Brooks/Cole, a part of Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.