Kansas Geological Survey Bulletin 257 The Permian System in Kansas by R. R. West1, K. B. Miller2, and W. L. Watney3 1Emeritus Professor, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506 2Department of Geology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506 3Kansas Geological Survey, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047 Lawrence, Kansas 66047 2010 West et al.—The Permian System in Kansas i COVER—The broad, fl at surface in the center of the photo is the top of the Glenrock Limestone Member of the Red Eagle Limestone and the Carboniferous–Permian boundary at Tuttle Creek Lake Spillway in Pottawatomie County, Kansas. The Kansas Geological Survey does not guarantee this docu- Editor: Marla D. Adkins–Heljeson ment to be free from errors or inaccuracies and disclaims any Graphics: Jennifer Sims responsibility or liability for interpretations based on data used Cover: P. Acker in the production of this document or decisions based thereon. ISBN: 978-1-58806-333-X ii Kansas Geological Survey—Bulletin 257 Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Historical Aspects ........................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Permian Recognized in Kansas ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Original Description ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Past to Present ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Nineteenth Century................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Early Twentieth Century – (1900–1959) ............................................................................................................................... 3 Late Twentieth Century – (1960–1999) ................................................................................................................................ 3 Early Twenty-fi rst Century .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Rocks Currently Recognized as Permian in Age...................................................................................................................... 4 Lower Boundary of the Permian ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Upper Boundary of the Permian ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Distribution in Kansas ........................................................................................................................................................... 7 General Geologic Setting ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 Major Subdivisions ................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Wolfcampian ........................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Lithostratigraphic Units ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Council Grove Group ................................................................................................................................................... 14 Red Eagle Limestone ............................................................................................................................................. 14 Roca Shale ............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Grenola Limestone ................................................................................................................................................. 16 Eskridge Shale ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 Beattie Limestone .................................................................................................................................................. 18 Stearns Shale .......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Bader Limestone .................................................................................................................................................... 20 Easly Creek Shale .................................................................................................................................................. 20 Crouse Limestone .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Blue Rapids Shale .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Funston Limestone ................................................................................................................................................. 21 Speiser Shale .......................................................................................................................................................... 21 Composite Sequences in the Council Grove Group ............................................................................................. 21 Chase Group ................................................................................................................................................................. 24 Wreford Limestone ................................................................................................................................................ 24 Matfi eld Shale ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 Barneston Limestone ............................................................................................................................................. 26 Doyle Shale ............................................................................................................................................................ 29 Winfi eld Limestone ................................................................................................................................................ 29 Odell Shale ............................................................................................................................................................. 29 Nolans Limestone .................................................................................................................................................. 33 Upper Boundary of the Wolfcampian ........................................................................................................................... 33 Lithofacies and Thickness of the Wolfcampian ............................................................................................................ 33 Depositional Environments and Source Areas of the Wolfcampian ............................................................................. 39 Leonardian ........................................................................................................................................................................ 43 Lithostratigraphic Units ................................................................................................................................................ 43 Sumner Group .............................................................................................................................................................. 43 Wellington Formation ............................................................................................................................................ 43 Ninnescah Shale ..................................................................................................................................................... 44 Stone Corral Formation ........................................................................................................................................