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Home , Allegheny Formation, Cabot Head Shale, Conemaugh Group, Dresbachian, Fort Payne Formation, Hamilton Group

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MAP I–2768

SOUTHWEST NORTHEAST 85° W 80° W 75° W INTRODUCTION In addition to the major packages of siliciclastic rocks, there are two minor packages Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 General Age of siliciclastic rocks that were deposited at approximately 480 to 475 million North North Although more than 100 years of research have gone into deciphering the ago (St. Peter ) and at approximately 389 to 387 million years ago (million Features (million Periods Epochs American American East- North- North- Central Eastern Western Eastern South- South- Central North- Northern Western South- East- South- South- North- North- North- Southern Western West- East- Sequences Sequence Periods 45° N 45° N of the Appalachian Basin of , it remains a (Oriskany Sandstone). These two minor packages of siliciclastic rocks are present years central east west Tenn. Tenn. Va. Ky. west east W.Va. west W.Va. Md. east central west east east west central N.Y. central central Boundaries (Interpreted years Lake challenge to visualize the basin stratigraphy on a regional scale and to describe within predominantly carbonate strata and they are not associated with significant Series Stages Huron Events) ago) WISCONSIN stratigraphic relations within the basin. Similar difficulties exist for visualizing and fining-upwards or coarsening-upwards trends. Furthermore, these siliciclastic rocks ago) Ala. Ala. Ga. W.Va. W.Va. W.Va. Ohio Pa. Pa. Ohio Pa. Pa. N.Y. N.Y. VT. ONTARIO describing the regional distribution of petroleum source rocks and reservoir rocks. represent relatively short durations of time, and they are not associated with major This publication addresses these difficulties by combining existing data on stratigraphy orogenic events. These rocks may owe their origin primarily to changes in climate or Zechstein Lake Ontario and petroleum geology of the Appalachian Basin, and presenting these data in a sea level, or both. A likely scenario is that these are of eolian origin or that Lake MICHIGAN 21 Michigan 24 succinct, schematic format. Such a regional synthesis of the basin will be particularly they were originally eolian that were subsequently redeposited in a 22 23 subaqueous environment (Berkey, 1906; Grabau, 1940; Dott and others, 1986; Cecil Leonardian useful for persons only generally acquainted with Appalachian geology. In addition, 260 260 many of the broad relations that emerge from this compilation may be of interest to and others, 1991, 1998). specialists of Appalachian Basin stratigraphy and petroleum geology. Carbonate rocks are present between each of the three major siliciclastic packages 19 20 In order to facilitate comparisons of strata across the basin and to observe broad associated with orogenic events. The - carbonate package is unusual, 18 patterns in stratigraphy, 24 schematic chronostratigraphic sections were arranged however, in that it contains extensive evaporite deposits (). These evaporites are thought to have formed in sabkha and shallow-water environments 270 270 15 from southwest to northeast, with time denoted in equal increments along the sections 17 NEW (figs. 1 and 2). The stratigraphic data were modified from American Association of (Haynes and others, 1989; Tomastik, 1997), which could have developed as the result Rotliegendes 40° N INDIANA OHIO 16 40° N PERMIAN JERSEY Petroleum Geologists, AAPG (1985a,b) and Sanford (1993), and the time scale was of climate change or restricted circulation or both. taken from Harland and others (1990); informal North American chronostratigraphic Each of petroleum source rocks clusters around siliciclastic strata. The 14 13 MD. Wolfcampian terms from AAPG (1985a,b) are shown in parentheses. Stratigraphic sequences as petroleum plays, on the other hand, are more widely distributed throughout the 280 280 11WEST 12 stratigraphic sections, but most of the plays show some stratigraphic proximity to the DEL. defined by Sloss (1963, 1988) and Wheeler (1963) also were included, as well as brief postulated source rocks. Nevertheless, the recognition of four discrete groups of Siliciclastic 10 descriptions of general features and interpreted events. In addition, figure 1 shows the strata locations of postulated petroleum source rocks (compiled from Roen and Walker, petroleum source rocks provides a context for evaluating hydrocarbon resources of (Alleghanian 8 9 1996) and also the locations of petroleum plays (compiled from Epsman, 1987; the Appalachian Basin in terms of four petroleum systems (in the sense of Magoon 290 7 Roen and Walker, 1996). All of the stratigraphic units shown on figure 1 have been and Dow, 1994). The existence of different petroleum systems within the 290 orogeny) VIRGINIA Gzelian ABSAROKA colored according to predominant lithology, although many of the stratigraphic names Appalachian Basin is supported by data from Cole and others (1987) and Drozd and Virgilian 1 1 1 1 1 6 have been deliberately removed so as to emphasize general lithologic patterns and to Cole (1994), who showed that oils found stratigraphically below evaporites of the 1 1 1 1 1 provide a broad overview of the basin. Silurian Salina Formation are chemically distinct from oils found stratigraphically PENNSYL 4 above the evaporites. Drozd and Cole (1994) also suggested that the Salina evaporites 300 300 5 NORTH Missourian 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 CAROLINA are a regional hydrocarbon seal (although there are a variety of local hydrocarbon GENERAL STRATIGRAPHY seals for individual reservoirs). Oils in reservoirs that occur stratigraphically below the Paf Paf Paf Paf 35° N 35° N ANIAN Paf Paf Desmoinesian 3 Paf 3 3 3 Salina evaporites are derived from pre-Salina source rocks, whereas oils in reservoirs V 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Moscovian 2 3 Figure 1 shows only the predominant lithologies for given areas within the V that occur stratigraphically above the Salina evaporites are derived from post-Salina Pps 4 Appalachian Basin. The oldest of these rocks is designated as basement, 4 4 ANIAN Atokan 310 4 Pps 310 SOUTH source rocks. Obviously, in the southern part of the Appalachian Basin where the Pps Pps overlain by Lower siliciclastic strata. The Lower Cambrian siliciclastic strata, 4 Pps 4 4 4 CAROLINA Salina evaporites are absent, this relation may not hold and hydrocarbons from older Pps Pps 4 Pps 4 4 in turn, are overlain by Cambrian and carbonate rocks. Note that there is 4 1 estphalian Pps (pre-Salina) source rocks could have migrated into reservoirs higher in the section. 4 4 a distinct interval of siliciclastic rocks (St. Peter Sandstone) representing a relatively W PENNSYL In summary, the Appalachian Basin of North America extends from to Morrowan GEORGIA short duration (480–475 million years ago) within the overall package of Ordovician Ontario and New York, and contains strata ranging from Precambrian to Permian in 320 320 carbonate rocks. The Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate rocks are overlain by Upper Pps age (fig. 1). These strata comprise the Sauk, Tippecanoe, Kaskaskia, and Absaroka Pps Pps Sub-Absaroka ALABAMA Ordovician-Upper Silurian siliciclastic strata. The lower half of these siliciclastic strata Sequences of Sloss (1963, 1988) and Wheeler (1963). Appalachian Basin strata are (450–435 million years ago) exhibits a general basinwide pattern of finer grained characterized by distinct lithologies that persisted geologically on the order of tens of Serpuk- Mmc Mmc Mmc rocks overlain by coarser grained rocks. The upper half of the Upper Ordovican- Mmc Mmc Mmc Mmc millions of years. The Lower Cambrian strata are predominantly siliciclastic (570–545 Mmc 85° W 80° W 75° W Upper Silurian siliciclastic strata (435–428 million years ago), however, does not show hovian Chesterian 330 330 million years ago). Lower Cambrian to Upper Ordovician strata are predominantly Figure 2.—Extent of the Appalachian Basin is shown in red. The basin is subdivided into 24 such a trend. The Upper Ordovician-Upper Silurian siliciclastic strata are overlain by carbonate (545–445 million years ago). The Upper Ordovician to Upper Silurian regions, and the generalized stratigraphy of each region is depicted in figure 1. Column Mgn Mgn Mmc Upper Silurian-Middle Devonian carbonate rocks (428–382 million years ago), and strata are predominantly siliciclastic (445–428 million years ago), associated with the Mgn numbers in figure 1 correspond to region numbers in figure 2. Figure modified from AAPG there is a widespread interval of Upper Silurian evaporites (Salina Formation) within Mgn Carbonate CARBONIFEROUS Mgn Mgn . The Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian strata are predominantly Mgn (1985a) and from Sanford (1993). this overall carbonate package. Also, there is a distinct interval of siliciclastic rocks strata carbonate (428–301 million years ago). The Middle Devonian to Lower Mississippian 340 Mgn Mgn 340 (Oriskany Sandstone) representing a relatively short duration (389–387 million years Visean Meramecian strata are predominantly siliciclastic (381–345 million years ago), associated with the Mfp ago) within the upper part of the Upper Silurian-Middle Devonian carbonate package. Mgn Mgn 6 . The Mississippian strata are predominantly carbonate (345–330 5 5, 6 EXPLANATION The Upper Silurian-Middle Devonian carbonate rocks are overlain by Middle million years ago). The Upper Mississippian to Permian strata are predominantly Although not designated as a separate lithology, many beds are Devonian-Lower Mississippian siliciclastic strata. A laterally extensive carbonate

Mbi, , 1963) siliciclastic (330–250 million years ago), associated with the Alleghanian orogeny. 6 Mfp Mbi Mbi present in strata and some coal beds are present in (379–377 million years ago) is present within the lower part of these strata, and the Osagean 350 6 6 6 6 6 6 Mws Mbi, Mws Mbi, Mws Mbi, Mws Mws 350 Lithologic variability on the order of tens of millions of years is correlated with Mbi, Mws Mississippian strata in the Appalachian Basin. siliciclastic strata above this carbonate exhibit a general coarsening-upwards trend. MISSISSIPPIAN tectonic activity in combination with climatic changes, whereas lithologic variability of Mbi The Middle Devonian-Lower Mississippian strata, in turn, are overlain by Mbi shorter duration (<10 million years) may have been caused by changes in climate or 7 Mississippian carbonate rocks, which are more extensive and span a longer interval of KASKASKIA II (Sloss, 1988) 7 7 7 7 7 (Wheeler sea level or both (without necessarily a tectonic influence). Kinderhookian 7 7 MDe MDe Siliciclastic Evaporite time in the southern half of the basin. Finally, the Mississippian carbonate rocks are

MDe amaroa Holostrome MDe MDe MDe MDe Postulated petroleum source rocks fall into four groups according to stratigraphic 360 MDe MDe T strata 360 overlain by Upper Mississippian-Permian siliciclastic strata. The lower part (Upper MDe occurrence. These four groups consist of Cambrian and older strata, Middle (Acadian Carbonate rock or Mississippian-Lower Pennsylvanian) of these siliciclastic strata has a general pattern of Conewangoan Dvs Dvs Dvs Chautauquan 8 8 8 8 Dvs Dvs Dvs Dvs Ordovician-Upper Silurian strata, Lower Devonian-Mississippian strata, and 8 UDs Dbg, orogeny) finer grained rocks overlain by coarser grained rocks, but the upper half (Upper 8 Dbg 8 8 8 8 Upper Pennsylvanian strata. The petroleum plays are more widely distributed throughout the 8 Dbg 8 8 Dbg, Dbg, UDs UDs Conglomerate Pennsylvanian-Permian) of these siliciclastic strata does not show this characteristic. (Cassadagan) Dbg, UDs Dbs Dbg, Dbs Dbs Dbg, UDs Dbs Dbs Dbs UDs Dbg 8 Dbs Dbs Dbs stratigraphic sections than the source rocks, but most of the plays show some D3 370 UDs Dbs 8 370 As for correlations with the sequences of Sloss (1963, 1988) and Wheeler (1963), (Chemungian) 9 9 9 9 9 Sandstone stratigraphic proximity to the source rocks identified in figure 1. The Silurian Salina Dvs, Dbs, Des the Appalachian Basin contains the following four major sequences: Sauk, Upper Senecan Dbs Des Des Des Des, Dbg, UDs Acadian evaporites are thought to form a regional hydrocarbon seal across much of the basin, (Fingerlakesian) 10, 11, 12 Des Des Des Des Des, Dbg Des, Dbg 10, 11, 12 Tippecanoe, Kaskaskia, and Absaroka. These four sequences are bounded by 10, 11, 12, 13 10, 11,12, 13 10, 11,12 10, 11, 12 Dbg unconformity Interbedded mudstone and sandstone with two of the source rock groups occurring below the Salina evaporites and the Taghanic Tioughniogan 10, 11, 12 10, 11, 12 13 10, 11, 12 10,11, 12 10, 11, 12 that have been identified across most of North America. Additional 13 13 other two source rock groups occurring above the evaporites. The recognition of four 14, 15 Middle unconformities of more local extent are present within the Appalachian Basin (for DEVONIAN 1963) 15 discrete groups of petroleum source rocks suggests that there are four different Erian 380 15 15 14, 15 14, 15 15 14, 15 , 380 Mudstone 15 14, 15 14 14, 15 14, 15 14, 15 example, Brett and others, 1990; Ettensohn, 1994), but figure 1 shows only the (Sloss, 1988)

Cazenovian KASKASKIA I petroleum systems within the Appalachian Basin. D2 Carbonate major unconformities identified by Sloss (1963, 1988) and Wheeler (1963). Southwoodian Dol, Dho Dol Dol Dol Dol Dol Section not present Middle DSu Dho Dho Dho 16 Dho 16 Dho 16 16 strata The Sauk Sequence is bounded at the base by the unconformity between Cambrian 16 16 Piankasha Holostrome Wallbridge siliciclastic strata and Precambrian basement, and the sequence is bounded at the top Dop (Wheeler ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Dop, Doc, Doc Dos by the Owl Creek unconformity (which lies at the base of the St. Peter Sandstone and (Esopusian) 390 Doc Doc Doc, Dop Doc, Dos Dos Doc, Dop Doc, Dos Doc, Dop Dos Dos, Doc unconformity 390

DEVONIAN Dos Siliciclastic Deerparkian Dop Dho, Doc, equivalent units). The Owl Creek unconformity is sometimes referred to as the "post- Ulsterian strata Lower This work was improved by suggestions from U.S. Geological Survey reviewers Dos Postulated Petroleum Source Rocks of the Appalachian Basin Knox unconformity" or the "Knox unconformity" (for example, Read, 1989; Brett and C.B. Cecil, R.T. Ryder, C.S. Southworth, and I.L. Taylor. Thanks to K.S. Schindler (compiled from Roen and Walker, 1996) others, 1990) because in many places it is an unconformity at the top of the Knox D1 and J.R. Estabrook for map editing. Thanks to C.J. Schenk and I.L. Taylor for their Helderbergian Group (fig. 1). Sloss (1963, 1988) divided the Sauk Sequence into three units (Sauk I, Lower 400 400 encouragement with this project. Carbonate Group 1 Sauk II, and Sauk III), but the exact Sauk I–Sauk II and Sauk II–Sauk III (Gedinnian) strata 1 Pennsylvanian Monongahela Group lithostratigraphic boundaries are not well documented in the Appalachian Basin 2 Pennsylvanian (Palmer, 1981). DSu 3 Pennsylvanian Allegheny Group The Tippecanoe Sequence is bounded at the base by the Owl Creek unconformity REFERENCES CITED Pridolian 410 410 4 Pennsylvanian Pottsville Group (described above) and at the top by the Wallbridge unconformity (which lies at the Sbi Sbi base of the Oriskany Sandstone and equivalent units). The Tippecanoe Sequence was 18 18 , 1963) American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), 1985a, Northern (Murderian) 17,18 18 Group 2 Cayugan Upper divided by Sloss (1988) into a lower unit (Tippecanoe I) and an upper unit Appalachian Region [correlation chart]: Tulsa, Okla., 1 folded sheet in jacket. 20 19 19 19 5 in the Mississippian Warsaw (Tippecanoe II). Wheeler (1963) referred to the lower unit as the Creek Holostrome, Ludlovian 20 20 20 20 20 (Correlation of Stratigraphic Units of North America (COSUNA) Project.) (Canastotan) 20 20 Evaporitic SILURIAN 20 Sns 20 6 Shales in the upper part of the Mississippian Sns Sns 20 20 20 20 20 20 and he referred to the upper unit as the Tutelo Holostrome. The boundary between ———1985b, Southern Appalachian Region [correlation chart]: Tulsa, Okla., 1 folded 420 20 strata 420 7 Mississippian Sunbury Upper 20 these two Tippecanoe units is an unconformity among a variety of strata associated sheet in jacket. (Correlation of Stratigraphic Units of North America (COSUNA) TIPPECANOE II

Sns utelo Holostrome 8 Upper Devonian (Famennian) shales (including , , Sns Sld Sld Sld of Wheeler Carbonate with the Ordovician-Silurian boundary. Wheeler (1963) named this unconformity the Project.) Sld (T Lockportian 21 Sld Sld 21 21 Sld Sld 21 and Huron Shale Member of the Ohio Shale) 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 strata "Taconic discontinuity," and he indicated that it is found at the base of the Tuscarora Berkey, C.P., 1906, Paleogeography of St. Peter time: Geological Society of America Wenlockian 21 9 Upper Devonian Sld, Sld Sandstone (in Pennsylvania, , and northern ), at the base of the Bulletin, v. 17, p. 229–250. SILURIAN Niagaran Tonawandan Sld Sld Sld Scm Scm Scm Scm 22 10 Upper Devonian (Frasnian) ()1 430 Sld Sld, Scm 22 Scm 22 22 22 22 430 Clinch Sandstone (in southern West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee), and at the Brett, C.E., Goodman, W.M., and LoDuca, S.T., 1990, Sequences, cycles, and basin 22 22 Lower 1 22 22 Sld, Scm Scm Scm Scm 22 11 Upper Devonian (Frasnian) (Middlesex Member) Ontarian 22 22 base of the Red Mountain Formation (in Alabama). Dennison and Head (1975) later dynamics in the Silurian of the Appalachian Foreland Basin: Sedimentary Geology, 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 23 Siliciclastic 12 Upper Devonian (Frasnian) Genesee Formation (Renwick Member and Llandoverian 23 proposed that the name "Taconic disconformity" be replaced by "Cherokee v. 69, no. 3, p. 191–244. Scm 23 23 strata Geneseo Member)1 Alexandrian Sts Sts Sts Sts Sts Sts Sts unconformity," which is an American Indian name (similar to the names of the Sloss Lower Gamachian Sts Sts 23 23 Sts 23 Cherokee 13 Upper Devonian Harrell Formation (Burket Member)1 Cecil, C.B., Ahlbrandt, T.S., and Heald, M.T., 1991, Paleoclimate implications for the (Taconic and Wheeler sequences) and does not imply an association with the Taconic orogeny. 440 Obe Obe Obe unconformity 440 14 Middle Devonian origin of Paleozoic quartz arenites in the Appalachian Basin: Geological Society of Ashgillian Richmondian 24 24 24 orogeny) The "Taconic discontinuity" has also been referred to as the "Tuscarora unconformity" 24 24 24 15 Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale America Abstracts with Programs, v. 23, no. 5, p. A72. Cincinnatian 24 Obe Obe Obe Maysvillian 24 24 24 24 16 Lower and Middle Devonian (for example, Dorsch and others, 1994). Cecil, C.B., Brezinski, D.K., and Dulong, F.T., 1998, Allocyclic controls on Paleozoic Edenian 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 The Kaskaskia Sequence, which lies above the Tippecanoe Sequence, is bounded at sedimentation in the central Appalachian Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Upper Group 3 the base by the Wallbridge unconformity and at the top by the Sub-Absaroka Report 98–577, 75 p. 450 Shermanian Obc, MOf 24 450 17 Upper Silurian Akron Dolomite unconformity, which is associated with the Mississippian-Pennsylvanian boundary. Cole, G.A., Drozd, R.J., Sedivy, R.A., and Halpern, H.I., 1987, Organic Obc, Obc, MOf Obc Obc Obc Obc, MOf Obc, MOf Obc, MOf Obc Obc, MOf Obc, MOf Obc Obc 18 Upper Silurian Bertie Dolomite More recent work, however, suggests that the Sub-Absaroka unconformity is actually geochemistry and oil-source correlations, Paleozoic of Ohio: American Association Caradocian MOf 25 25 25 25 25 25 Upper 25 25 25 25 25 25 Kirkfieldian 25 MOf 19 Upper Silurian Camillus Formation of Early Pennsylvanian age (Ettensohn, 1994). The Kaskaskia Sequence was divided of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 71, no. 7, p. 788–809. Obc 25 25 , 1963) 20 Upper Silurian Salina Formation (including black shale within Newburg sandstone) by Sloss (1988) into a lower unit (Kaskaskia I) and an upper unit (Kaskaskia II), with Dennison, J.M., and Head, J.W., 1975, Sealevel variations interpreted from the Rocklandian 460 460 21 Upper Silurian the boundary between the two units being "near the close of Devonian time" (Sloss, Appalachian Basin Silurian and Devonian: American Journal of Science, v. 275, no. MOf Carbonate 22 Lower Silurian (including Clinton Shale, , Blackriverian 26 1988, p. 35). Wheeler (1963) also divided the strata between the Wallbridge 10, p. 1089–1120. Champlainian 26 MOf MOf MOf MOf MOf MOf MOf strata 26 and Crab Orchard Formation) unconformity and the Sub-Absaroka unconformity into two units, and he referred to Dorsch, Joachim, Bambach, R.K., and Driese, S.G., 1994, Basin-rebound origin for 27 23 Lower Silurian Medina Group (including ) Middle the lower unit as the Piankasha Holostrome and the upper unit as the Tamaroa Llandeilian Chazyan 27 27 27 TIPPECANOE I the "Tuscarora unconformity" in southwestern Virginia and its bearing on the nature ORDOVICIAN

of Wheeler 24 Upper Ordovician Martinsburg Shale, Reedsville Shale, Utica (Antes) Shale, and

27 27 27 (Creek Holostrome Holostrome. However, the boundary between these two units designated by Wheeler of the Taconic orogeny: American Journal of Science, v. 294, no. 2, p. 237–255. 470 MOf MOf 470 equivalent strata is not the same as the Kaskaskia I–Kaskaskia II boundary of Sloss. Wheeler (1963) Dott, R.H., Jr., Byers, C.W., Fielder, G.W., Stenzel, S.R., and Winfree, K.E., 1986, Llanvirnian 25 Upper Ordovician Point Pleasant Shale and dolomitic mudstones within the Upper Middle indicated that the boundary between the Piankasha Holostrome and the Tamaroa Aeolian to marine transition in Cambro-Ordovician cratonic sheet sandstones of the Whiterockian Ordovician (Trenton Limestone) Holostrome is the Acadian unconformity, which is found at the base of the Ohio, northern valley, U.S.A.: Sedimentology, v. 33, no. 3, p. 345–367. Siliciclastic 26 Upper Ordovician Blockhouse Shale (Athens Shale) Osp Osp Osp Huron, and Chattanooga Shales. Drozd, R.J., and Cole, G.A., 1994, Point Pleasant-Brassfield(!) petroleum , Osp Owl Creek strata 27 Middle Ordovician The Absaroka Sequence, which lies above the Kaskaskia Sequence, is bounded at 480 unconformity 480 Appalachian Basin, U.S.A., in Magoon, L.B., and Dow, W.G., eds., The petroleum the base by the "Sub-Absaroka unconformity" (described above) and at the top by an ORDOVICIAN Group 4 system—From source to trap: American Association of Petroleum Geologists ("Knox unconformity associated with the Lower - boundary. Arenigian 28 Cambrian Memoir 60, p. 387–398. unconformity") and Jurassic strata are not preserved in the Appalachian Basin, however, and thus the |Ok 29 Unspecified Cambrian or older source rocks (not shown in fig. 1) Epsman, M.L., 1987, Subsurface geology of selected oil and gas fields in the Black 30 Deep basement origin (postulated for low British Thermal Unit gas in eastern top of the Absaroka Sequence in the Appalachian Basin is essentially the erosional Warrior Basin of Alabama: Geological Survey of Alabama Atlas 21, 255 p. 490 490 Lower Kentucky and southern Ohio) (not shown in fig. 1) surface at the top of the Paleozoic strata throughout the basin. Ettensohn, F.R., 1994, Tectonic control on formation and cyclicity of major |Ok |Ok Appalachian unconformities and associated stratigraphic sequences, in Dennison, Canadian |Ok |Ok |Ok |Ok |Ok |Ok |Ok |Ok 1 Petroleum Source Rocks J.M., Ettensohn, F.R., and Scholle, P.A., eds., Tectonic and eustatic controls on Lower Equivalent to the Upper Devonian Kettle Point Formation in Ontario, Canada. |Ok |Ok sedimentary cycles: SEPM Concepts in Sedimentology and Paleontology, v. 4, p. 500 500 The names of postulated petroleum source rocks (rocks from which petroleum is 217–242. |Ok |Ok |Ok |Ok |Ok |Ok Petroleum Plays of the Appalachian Basin derived), as presented in figure 1, have been compiled from Roen and Walker (1996). Grabau, A.W., 1940, The rhythm of the ages: Peking, Henri Vetch, 561 p. |Ok (modified from Roen and Walker, 1996) These source rocks fall into four distinct groups according to stratigraphic occurrence. Harland, W.B., Armstrong, R.L., Cox, A.V., Craig, L.E., Smith, A.G., and Smith, Group 1 consists of Pennsylvanian strata. Group 2 consists of Lower Devonian- D.G., 1990, A 1989: Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, |Ok Carbonate Mississippian shales. Group 3 consists of shales within Middle Ordovician-Upper 263 p. 510 510 Upper Paf Middle Pennsylvanian and (or) Group sandstones Silurian siliciclastic and carbonate strata. Group 4 consists of various strata of Hatcher, R.D., Jr., 1989, Tectonic synthesis of the U.S. Appalachians, in Hatcher, strata Pps Lower and Middle Pennsylvanian Pottsville, New River, and Lee Formation Croixian |pk |pk |pk |Ok |Ok Cambrian and possibly Late Precambrian age. Group 4 also includes a petroleum R.D., Jr., Thomas, W.A., and Viele, G.W., eds., The Appalachian-Ouachita orogen Merioneth |pk |pk sandstones |pk in the , v. F–2 of The : Boulder, Colo., Upper |pk |pk |pk source of "deep basement origin" that is postuated for low British Thermal Unit (BTU) gas (in other words, gas that has a high concentration of nitrogen or helium or both) Geological Society of America, p. 511–535. Mmc Upper Mississippian Mauch Chunk Group and equivalent strata 520 |pk 520 Haynes, S.J., Boland, R., and Hughes-Pearl, J., 1989, Depositional setting of gypsum Mgn Upper Mississippian Greenbrier and (or) Newman in a few wells in eastern Kentucky and southern Ohio.

Middle deposits, southwestern Ontario; The Domtar Mine: Economic Geology, v. 84, p. Mbi Lower Mississippian Big Injun sandstones 857–870. St. David's SAUK Mws Lower Mississippian Weir sandstones Petroleum Plays Albertian Mfp Lower Mississippian Fort Payne Formation (carbonate mounds) Magoon, L.B., and Dow, W.G., 1994, The petroleum system, in Magoon, L.B., and Dow, W.G., eds., The petroleum system—From source to trap: American Middle 530 530 MDe Lower Mississippian-Upper Devonian and equivalent strata A petroleum play is defined as a group of drilling prospects having similar geologic characteristics that control production (Magoon and Dow, 1994; Patchen, 1996). Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 60, p. 3–24. CAMBRIAN Dvs Upper Devonian Venango (upper Catskill) sandstones and siltstones Plays are commonly designated in terms of stratigraphy, although play names can Palmer, A.R., 1981, Subdivision of the Sauk Sequence: U.S. Geological Survey Open- |pk |pk |pk |pk Dbs Upper Devonian Bradford (middle Catskill) sandstones and siltstones also be modified by reference to petroleum trap type. In figure 1, the names of File Report 81–743, p. 160–162. Des Upper Devonian Elk (lower Catskill) sandstones and siltstones petroleum plays are from Roen and Walker (1996), with some additional information Patchen, D.G., 1996, Introduction to the atlas of major Appalachian gas plays, in 540 |pk 540 Dbg Upper Devonian fractured black and gray shales and siltstones on Alabama petroleum plays from Epsman (1987, fig. 2). These Appalachian Basin Roen, J.B., and Walker, B.J., eds., The atlas of major Appalachian gas plays: West UDs Upper Devonian black shales Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Publication V–25, p. 1. 28 28 28 plays are more widely distributed throughout the stratigraphic sections than the source Dol Middle Devonian ( play) rocks, but most of the plays do show some stratigraphic proximity to the source rocks. Read, J.F., 1989, of Cambro-Ordovician passive margin, U.S. Appalach- CAMBRIAN 28 28 28 28 28 28 Dho Fractured Middle Devonian and Lower Devonian ians, in Hatcher, R.D., Jr., Thomas, W.A., and Viele, G.W., eds., The Appalachian- Oriskany Sandstone Ouachita orogen in the United States, v. F–2 of The geology of North America: 550 550 Lower DISCUSSION Caerfaian Dos Lower Devonian Oriskany Sandstone structural traps Boulder, Colo., Geological Society of America, p. 42–57. Waucoban Doc Lower Devonian Oriskany Sandstone combination traps Roen, J.B., and Walker, B.J., eds., 1996, The atlas of major Appalachian gas plays:

Lower Siliciclastic 28 Dop Lower Devonian Oriskany Sandstone updip permeability pinchout traps Most of the siliciclastic strata in the Appalachian Basin are traditionally interpreted West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Publication V–25, 201 p. strata DSu Lower Devonian-Upper Silurian unconformity traps as being associated with tectonic events (for example, Hatcher, 1989), although Cecil Sanford, B.V., 1993, St. Lawrence Platform—Geology, in Stott, D.F., and Aitkin, 560 560 and others (1998) suggest that climate is also important. The Upper Ordovician- J.D., eds., Sedimentary cover of the craton of Canada, v. D–1 of The geology of Upper Silurian Bass Islands Dolomite Sbi Upper Silurian siliciclastic strata are associated with the Taconic orogeny. The Middle North America: Boulder, Colo., Geological Society of America, p. 723–786. Sns Upper Silurian Newburg sandstone Devonian-Lower Mississippian siliciclastic strata are associated with the Acadian Sloss, L.L., 1963, Sequences in the cratonic interior of North America: Geological Sld Silurian Lockport Dolomite-Keefer (Big Six) Sandstone orogeny, and the Upper Mississippian-Permian siliciclastic strata are associated with Society of America Bulletin, v. 74, no. 2, p. 93–114. Sts Lower Silurian the Alleghanian orogeny. All of the siliciclastic strata associated with orogenies exhibit

570 570 CAMBRIAN ———1988, Tectonic evolution of the craton in Phanerozoic time, in Sloss, L.L., ed., Scm Lower Silurian Cataract and (or) Medina Group ("Clinton") sandstones Precambrian Precambrian a general pattern of finer grained rocks overlain by coarser grained rocks in at least Sedimentary cover—North American craton, v. D–2 of The geology of North basement basement PRE- the lower half of each siliciclastic package. America: Boulder, Colo., Geological Society of America, p. 25–51. Obe Upper Ordovician For each package of siliciclastic strata associated with an orogenic event, there is a Obc Upper Ordovician bioclastic carbonate ("") Tomastik, T.E., 1997, The sedimentology of the Bass Islands and Salina Groups in

PRE- major unconformity (sequence boundary) within the siliciclastic package. Note, MOf Ordovician fractured carbonates Ohio and its effect on salt-solution mining and underground storage, USA: however, that these unconformities (Cherokee, Acadian, Sub-Absaroka) are not Osp Lower and Middle Ordovician St. Peter Sandstone Carbonates and Evaporites, v. 12, no. 2, p. 236–253. CAMBRIAN located exactly at the base of the respective siliciclastic packages. Likewise, these INTERIOR—GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, RESTON, VA—2002 Wheeler, H.E., 1963, Post-Sauk and pre-Absaroka Paleozoic stratigraphic patterns in three unconformities are not located at the tops of major coarsening-upwards or |Ok Cambrian-Ordovician unconformity traps North America: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 47, no. Figure 1.—Regional stratigraphy and petroleum systems of the Appalachian Basin, North America. Stratigraphic data are modified from AAPG (1985a,b) and Sanford (1993). The time scale is taken from Harland and others (1990); informal North American chronostratigraphic terms from AAPG (1985a,b) are shown in fining-upwards trends. |pk Cambrian pre-Knox Group strata 8, p. 1497–1526. parentheses. Sequences and sequence boundary locations are from Sloss (1963, 1988) and Wheeler (1963). Data on petroleum source rocks are compiled from Roen and Walker (1996). Names of petroleum plays are from Roen and Walker (1996); additional information on Alabama petroleum plays is from Epsman (1987).

REGIONAL STRATIGRAPHY AND PETROLEUM SYSTEMS OF THE APPALACHIAN BASIN, NORTH AMERICA By Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government Christopher S. Swezey For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services, Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225; telephone 1-888-ASK-USGS 2002 Printed on recycled paper