Structural Geology of the Transylvania Fault Zone in Bedford County, Pennsylvania
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University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Master's Theses Graduate School 2009 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY OF THE TRANSYLVANIA FAULT ZONE IN BEDFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Elizabeth Lauren Dodson University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Dodson, Elizabeth Lauren, "STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY OF THE TRANSYLVANIA FAULT ZONE IN BEDFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA" (2009). University of Kentucky Master's Theses. 621. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/621 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT OF THESIS STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY OF THE TRANSYLVANIA FAULT ZONE IN BEDFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Transverse zones cross strike of thrust-belt structures as large-scale alignments of cross-strike structures. The Transylvania fault zone is a set of discontinuous right-lateral transverse faults striking at about 270º across Appalachian thrust-belt structures along 40º N latitude in Pennsylvania. Near Everett, Pennsylvania, the Breezewood fault terminates with the Ashcom thrust fault. The Everett Gap fault terminates westward with the Hartley thrust fault. Farther west, the Bedford fault extends westward to terminate against the Wills Mountain thrust fault. The rocks, deformed during the Alleghanian orogeny, are semi-independently deformed on opposite sides of the transverse fault, indicating fault movement during folding and thrusting. Palinspastic restorations of cross sections on either side of the fault zone are used to compare transverse fault displacement. The difference in shortening corresponds to the amount of displacement on either side of the transverse fault. The palinspastic restoration indicates a difference in the amount of shortening that will balance farther to the west in the Appalachian Plateau province. KEYWORDS: Everett Gap fault, Bedford fault, Breezewood fault, Pennsylvania, Appalachians Elizabeth Lauren Dodson September 14, 2009 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY OF THE TRANSYLVANIA FAULT ZONE IN BEDFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA By Elizabeth Lauren Dodson William A. Thomas Director of Thesis Alan Fryar Director of Graduate Studies September 14, 2009 RULES FOR THE USE OF THESIS Unpublished theses submitted for the Master’s degree and deposited in the University of Kentucky Library are as a rule open for inspection, but are to be used only with regard to the rights of the authors. Bibliographical references may be noted, but quotations or summaries of parts may be published only with the permission of the author, and the usual scholarly acknowledgements. Extensive copying or publication of the thesis in whole or in part also requires the consent of the Dean of the Graduate School of the University of Kentucky. A library that borrows the thesis for use by its patrons is expected to secure the signature of each user. Name Date ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ THESIS Elizabeth Lauren Dodson The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2009 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY OF THE TRANSYLVANIA FAULT ZONE IN BEDFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA THESIS A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Elizabeth Lauren Dodson Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. William A. Thomas, Professor of Geology 2009 Copyright © Elizabeth Lauren Dodson 2009 Dedicated to: Chuck, Lynne, Matt, and Mike Dodson ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank my thesis advisor Dr. Thomas for his great teaching abilities and patience. Thanks to Mrs. Thomas for all the tacos and enthusiasm. Thank you to my committee members Dr. Moecher, Dr. O’Hara, and Dr. Woolery. Thank you to EDMAP, the Pennsylvania Geological Society, the University of Kentucky Graduate School and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences for providing funds for this research. I would like to thank my peers at the University of Kentucky for friendship and technical support, especially Brian Cook, Carrie Kidd, and John Allen. A special thanks to Rayna McConville, for being my field assistant in the summer of 2007, and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Geology department. Thank you to my family and close friends for always believing in me. I am lucky to have you all as a support group. Lastly, to my parents, Charles and Lynne Dodson: My thesis is a product of all your love and support. Saying thank you does not seem like enough. Thanks Mom and Dad. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ................................................................................... iii List of Figures ........................................................................................... vi List of Plates .............................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................. 1 Appalachian Structure .......................................................................... 1 Location ................................................................................................ 2 Transverse zones .................................................................................. 3 Examples of transverse zones ......................................................... 4 Tyrone-Mt Union Lineament .......................................................... 5 Transylvania fault zone ................................................................... 6 Structures .............................................................................................. 7 Field names .......................................................................................... 8 Stratigraphy .......................................................................................... 9 Surface .................................................................................................. 10 Subsurface ............................................................................................ 12 Cross sections ....................................................................................... 12 Methods ................................................................................................ 13 Purpose ................................................................................................. 14 Chapter 2: Regional Stratigraphy .............................................................. 20 Cambrian .............................................................................................. 20 Lower Ordovician ................................................................................ 21 Middle and Upper Ordovician .............................................................. 23 Silurian ................................................................................................. 26 Devonian .............................................................................................. 28 Chapter 3: Local Stratigraphy ................................................................... 32 Cambrian .............................................................................................. 32 Warrior Formation ........................................................................... 32 Gatesburg Formation ....................................................................... 32 Ordovician ............................................................................................ 33 Nittany and Stonehenge Formations ............................................... 33 Bellefonte Formation ....................................................................... 33 Loysburg, Hatter, Snyder, Nealmont, Salona, and Coburn Formations .................................................................................. 34 Reedsville Formation ...................................................................... 34 Bald Eagle Formation ...................................................................... 35 Juniata Formation ............................................................................ 35 Silurian ................................................................................................. 36 Tuscarora Formation ....................................................................... 36 Clinton Group .................................................................................. 36 Mifflintown, Bloomsburg, and Wills Creek Formations ................ 36 Devonian-Silurian ................................................................................ 37 Tonoloway and Keyser Formations ...............................................