Stratigraphy of Northeastern and East-Central Parts of South Park, Colorado

Abstract

South Park is a depressed park-like area surrounded by mountains in central Colorado. The stratigraphy of the northeastern and east-central parts of the park are described. The beds range in age from Permian to Pleistocene. The formations described are the Maroon (Pennsylvanian and Permian); Morrison (Jurassic); the Dakota sandstone, Benton shale, Niobrara limestone and shale, Pierre shale, Fox Hills sandstone, and Laramie formation, all of Cretaceous age; and the Denver formation and Lake Beds of Tertiary age. The distribution, lithologic character, age, and relations of each are described, and the beds are compared with the corresponding deposits east of the Front Range.