MISCELLANEOUS PAPER 84-1 PLEISTOCENE STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS OF WISCONSiN by David M. Mickelson, Lee Clayton, Robert W. Baker, William N. Mode and Allan F. Schneider available from Geological and Natural History Survey University of Wisconsin-Extension 1815 University Avenue Madison, Wisconsin 53705 MISCELLANEOUS PAPER 84-1 PLEISTOCENE STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS OF WISCONSIN by David M. Mickelson, Lee Clayton, Robert W. Baker, William N. Mode and Allan F. Schneider available from Geological and Natural History Survey University of Wisconsin�Extension 1815 University Avenue Madison, Wisconsin 53705 JUL 1984 CONTENTS Acknowledgements ..................... ..............It ................................................It .................. iv Abstract ............................................................................................................................ I Introduction It .. .. ........ .. .... .. ................ .. ........ .. .. .. ........ .. .. .. .. .. .... ........ .. .... .. .. ............ .. ........ I Principles of Lithostratigraphic Classification in Wisconsin •• •••••••• 2 Summary of Lithostratigraphic Units Defined in this Paper ••••••••••••• 5 Units of Probable Pre-Wisconsinan and Early Wisconsinan Age •••••••• 5 Units of Late Wisconsinan Age ............................................................................ 7 References Cited ............................................................................................................ 12 Appendix 1. Walworth Formation .. ................ ......It .... ....It ...................................................... Al-l lao Foxhollow Memb er of the Wa lworth Formation •••••••••••••••• Al-2 lb. Allens Grove Memb er of the Walworth Format ion •.••••••••••• Al-3 lc. Clinton Member of the Wa lworth Formation •••••••••••••••••• Al-4 2.. Marathon Formation .......................................................................................... A2-l 2a. Wausau Memb er of the Marathon Formation ••••••••••••••••••• A2-1 2b . Edgar Member of the Marathon Format ion •••••••••••••••••••• A2-3 3.. Lincoln Formation .. .. .. .. .. ................ .. .. .. ........ .. ........ .. .. .. .... ........It ...................... A3-1 3a. Bakerville Member of the Lincoln Formation •• •••••••••••••• A3-l 3b . Merrill Memb er of the Lincoln Formation ••••••••••••••••••• A3-3 4. Pierce Formation ............................................................................................ A4-l 4a . Hersey Member of the Pierce Formation ••••••••••••••••••••• A4-2 4b . Kinnickinnic Member of the Pierce Formation ••••••••••••••• A4-5 5. River Falls Formation .............................. .......... .......................................... A5-l 6. Zenda Formation ........ ....................................................................................... A6-1 6a. Capron Memb er of the Zenda Formation •••••••••••••••••••••• A6-2 6b. Tiskilwa Member of the Zenda Formation •••••••••••••••••••• A6-5 7. New Berlin Formation ...................................................................................... A7-1 S. Oak Creek Format ion ........................... ............................................................ AS-I 9. Horicon Formation ........................................................................................... A9-1 9a. Map leview Member of the Horicon Formation ••••••••••••••••• A9-2 9b . Liberty Grove Memb er of the Horicon Formation ••••••••••••• A9-4 10 . Kewaunee Format ion .......................................................................................... AlO-l lOa. Ozaukee Member of the Kewaunee Formation ••••••••••••••••• A10-2 lOb . Haven Member of the Kewaunee Formation ••••••••••••••••••• A10-4 lOco Valders Member of the Kewaunee Formation ••••••••••••••••• A10-6 10d. Two Rivers Member of the Kewaunee Formation •••••••••••••• AIO-9 10e. Branch River Member of the Kewaunee Formation •••••••••••• A10-ll 10f. Chilton Member of the Kewaunee Format ion •• ••••••••••••••• A10-13 109. Glenmore Memb er of the Kewaunee Formation •••••••••••••••• AlO-15 10h. Silver Cliff Member of the Kewaunee Formation •••••••••••• A10-16 10i. Kirby Lake Member of the Kewaunee Formation •••••••••••••• AIO-IS 10j. Middle Inlet Member of the Kewaunee Formation •••••••••••• A10-20 11. Copper Falls Formation .................................................................................. All-I lla. Nashville Member of the Copper Falls Formation ••••••••••• All-5 12. Miller Creek Formation .................................................................................. A12-l l2a. Hanson Creek Memb er of the Miller Creek Formation •••••••• A12-2 l2b. Douglas Member of the Miller Creek Formation ••••••••••••• A12-5 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We first acknowledge the research of all who have contributed to our knowledge of Pleistocene deposits in the state. Without the work of pioneers such as Frank Leverett, T. C. Chamberlin , R. T. Chamberlin, W. C. Alden, J. W. Goldthwait, Samuel Weidman and others this compilation would not be possible. More recent workers such as F. T. Thwaites and R. F. Black added considerably to our knowledge of Pleistocene deposits in the state. We also owe a great deal to the graduate students of University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and Madison who have increased our knowledge of deposits in many areas. In par­ ticular, unit descriptions are modified from theses of Carl Fricke, William Simpkins, Carol McCartney, Larry Acomb, and Ed Need. Although they were not invo lved in writing this report, their ear ly descriptions were extremely useful. The basic stratigraphic scheme presented here represents the fruits of several meetings of Pleistocene workers in the state. Those who contributed but who are not writers of these reports inc lude Norman Lasca, James Knox, Louis Maher, Jr., Adam Cahow, and John Tinker. In addition, discussions with Pleistocene workers in other states , particularly John Kempton, Richard Berg, Ardith Hansel, Leon Fo llmer, W. H. Johnson, C. L. Matsch, H. E. Wright, Jr., H. B. Willman, and L. D. Taylor were of considerable help in developing our ideas. We also particu larly appreciate the comments of Howard Hobbs, Mike Mudrey, Tim Kemmis, Hilt Johnson, John Kempton, Richard Berg, Ardith Hansel, and Ed Need, all of whom reviewed part or all of the manuscript. We would also like to thank Miche lyn Hass and Ann Bauhs for typing the manuscript and Paul Dombrowski for drafting several of the figures. iv PLEISTOCENE STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS OF WISCONSIN David M. Micke1sonl , Lee Clayton2 , Robert W. Baker3 , William N. Mode4 , and Allan F. Schneider5 1 Department of Geo logy and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin--Madison, Madison, Wis. 53706 2 Wisconsin Geo logical and Natural History Survey, Madison, Wis. 53706 3 Department of Plant and Earth Science, University of Wiscons in--River Falls, Riv er Fall S, Wis 54 O22 · 4 Department of Geo 10gy , University of Wisconsin--Oshkosh, Oshkosh, Wis. 54901 5 Depar tment of Geo logy, University of Wiscons in--Parks ide, Kenosha, Wis. 53141 ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION The Pleistocene deposits of Wiscon­ During the past several years, a sin consist of a complex sequence of number of Pleistocene lithostratigraph­ deposits differing in origin, age, ic un its have been informally named in lithology, thickness, and aerial ex­ published reports and in theses. This tent. This report presents a litho­ paper is the result of several years of stratigraphic classification for many thought and discussion by the authors of these deposits and also provides and others inside and outside Wisconsin guidelines tor the forma l definition on the development of a formal litho­ and naming of lithostratigraphic un its stratigraphic classificat ion for Qua­ in Wisconsin. The classification ternary un its in the state. In addi­ scheme follows that of the American tion to forma lly defining a number of Code of Stratigraphic Nomenclature. units and discussin� some not formally Each un it definition should include a defined, we establ1Sh a framework for discussion of the following: source of future lithostratigraphic classifica­ name, type-section location and descrip­ tion. We hope that it will be a dynam­ tion, reference-section location and ic system and that it will change as description, description of unit, na­ needs arise, but we recognize the need ture of contacts, differentiation from for some fundamental decisions to be other units, reg ional extent and thick­ made at this time. nes s, origin, age, correlation, and identification of the person naming the Although other workers in the state un it. cannot be forced to fo llow the frame­ work set up here or to formally define The framework for the classification their units, a certain amount of uni­ of Pleistocene un its is based on till formity of usage will result in less strat igraphy. However , most members confus ion. The standards set in this and formations named in this paper pub lication are those that will be include not only till, but associated followed in future pub lications of the fluvial and lacustrine deposits. Wiscons in Geo logical and Natural Histo­ ry Survey. Many of the Pleistocene deposits in Although chronostratigraphic units, Wisconsin are classified in this paper. biostratigraphic units, and stratigraph­ We here name and define 11 formations ic units based on interpreted geo logic that include 28 member s. Some till even ts are needed by Pleistocene geolo­ deposits and most fluvial, lacustrine, gists, we here concentrate on litho­