Kentucky Geological Survey Research Articles

An alternative to the barrier-shoreline model for deposition of Mississippian and Pennsylvanian rocks in northeastern Kentucky: Summary

Along the western edge of the Appalachian Basin in eastern Kentucky (Fig. 1) traditional interpretation of the Carboniferous showed that most Carboniferous units are widespread and tabular, and that Mississippian and Pennsylvanian rocks are separated by a prominent unconformity (Butts, 1922; McFarlan, 1943; McFarlan and Walker, 1956; Pryor and Sable, 1974; Rice and others, 1979). Recent work in the area by the cooperative mapping program of the Kentucky Geological Survey and by a number of independent workers has revealed problems in applying these concepts. The unexpected absence of units, abrupt facies changes, deep erosional truncation, and prominent intraformational disconformities observed in these rocks made these concepts seem tenuous at best. Workers such as Sheppard (1964) and Englund (1976) attributed these stratigraphic variations to a sequence of erosional episodes related to sea-level fluctuation during the Mississippian and near the Mississippian-Pennsylvanian transition. Although these observations were based largely on small, scattered exposures, the proliferation of major highways and recreational areas in eastern Kentucky during the 19709s produced many large, extensive exposures, which indicated to others (Wilson, 1970; Dever, 1973, 1977; Dever and MacQuown, 1974; Ettensohn and Dever, 1975; 1979a, 1979b, 1979c; Ettensohn, 1975a, 1975b, 1976, 1977; Anderson and Hester, 1977) a similar explanation. The major difference was that later workers were able to relate periods of erosion to episodes of synsedimentary tectonism in the area. Other explanations were also proposed, and one of the most intriguing of these appeared in a series of articles by J. C. Ferm, J. C. Horne, and others (Horne and Ferm, 1970, 1976, 1978; Ferm and others, 1971; Ferm, 1972, 1974; Horne and others, 1971a, 1971b, 1974, 1976; Swinchatt, 1970). In a model developed along a segment of Interstate 64 in northeastern Kentucky, these writers suggested that the discontinuous nature of units was not caused by erosion, but rather by lateral gradation from one depositional environment to another. In this model, called the Lee-Newman Barrier-Shoreline Model, these authors argued that large parts of the Mississippian-through-Pennsylvanian sequence in northeastern Kentucky represent a single, coherent offshore (Mississippian) to onshore (Pennsylvanian) transition (Fig. 2). Furthermore, they argued that there is no evidence supporting the tabular nature of Carboniferous units or a prominent systemic unconformity. Regarding these interpretations, Horne, and Ferm (1970, p. 217) stated, “ Studies along newly constructed Interstate Highway 64 have shown that marine limestone and shale designated ‘Mississippian’ represent offshore carbonate bars which merge laterally with marine red and green clays. These marine rocks, in turn, intertongue with orthoquartzitic beaches of the ‘basal Pennsylvanian.’ Landward these shoreline sediments grade into coal-bearing fluvio-deltaic Pennsylvanian strata. Physical evidence for a systemic breaks not present, and major faunal differences can be attributed to depositional environments.” These interpretations leave a certain ambiguity regarding age relationships between Mississippian and Pennsylvanian rocks. Most of their diagrams (for example, see their Figs. 2, 3) can lead only to inferences of intertonguing and contemporaneity between rocks bearing Mississippian marine fossils (Newman Limestone and Pennington Formation) and coal and clastics (Lee and Breathitt Formations) traditionally considered to be Pennsylvanian. In fact, Horne and others (1974, p. 102) stated, “Moreover, on a large scale, from one end of the section to the other, the Breathitt, Lee, Pennington, and Newman all grade laterally into one another,” and this is clearly reflected in their diagrams (Ferm and others, 1971, Fig. 2, 13; Horne and others, 1974, Fig. 1; Horne and others, 1974, Fig. 2, 3).

Coal Geology and Resources of Eastern Kentucky: ABSTRACT

In 1979, 107 million tons of coal were mined in the Eastern Kentucky coal field; of this total, 50 million tons came from surface-mining operations. Original resources are estimated at about 33.5 billion tons, with remaining coal estimated at approximately 29 billion tons. Recoverable-coal estimates cannot be reported because of lack of reliable data particularly in the area below principal drainage. Major production comes from Big Sandy, Hazard, and Cumberland River Coal Reserve Districts. These areas are an important source of low-sulfur (1 to 2%), high-volatile A and B coal, often used for blending in coke production; however, the larger part of production supplies the compliance coal market. Physical and chemical characteristics of the coal and associated rocks vary geographically and stratigraphically, reflecting the controls of sedimentary environments. In general, the following relations have been recognized: high-sulfur conditions in coal and related overburden are associated with rocks having marine or brackish-water affinities; splits are commonly associated with crevasse splays; and bad roof conditions are frequently associated with paleochannels and related slumps. The eastern Kentucky coal resources program, operated jointly by the Kentucky Geological Survey and the Institute for Mining and Mineral Research, is in its third year, due for completion in 1982. Detailed geologic maps resulting from the recently completed Kentucky cooperative geologic mapping program provide the stratigraphic framework for this project. A more accurate assessment of coal tonnage, a better understanding of coal stratigraphy, and the development of models for determining mineability are the major goals of this project. The deep mining potential looks promising for the northeast-southwest trending Appalachian Trough in southeastern Kentucky. Experiments with longwall mining are presently being conducted in this area. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1281------------

Ferns of the Mammoth Cave National Park Region

During the summer and fall of 1932 a study was undertaken of the ferns of the Mammoth Cave National Park region with the purpose of throwing some light on the question of the importance of certain factors which enter into the habitats of ferns, especially soil reaction, moisture, and temperature. The topography and geology of the region make it especially suited to the growth of a number of species, since it has a variety of calcareous and siliceous soils, plateaus, wooded slopes, valleys, cliffs, ravines, ponds, streams, sinks and caves. Occasional observations have been made of the ferns of this region for at least sixty years. In 1878 the book by John Williamson on Ferns of was published. This book, which has the distinction of being one of the first important works on ferns published in the United States, includes descriptions, original drawings, and some recorded habitats for all of the species found in the state previous to that date. About thirty-eight or forty species are discussed in it which were considered indigenous to the state. Among those who supplied Williamson with information concerning the localities where certain species were to be found was Professor John Hussey, of Purdue University, who was appointed botanical assistant in 1874 of a party sent by the Kentucky Geological Survey into the district of Edmonson, Butler, and Grayson Counties. Hussey was interested primarily in the timber but was continually on the watch for a new or rare species of fern. Several of his vivid descriptions of the habitats of rare species which he observed in the Mammoth Cave region or in other parts of Edmonson and adjacent counties are quoted in Williamson's book. 113

The Field Trip of the Ohio-Kentucky Academies of Science and the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the Kentucky Geological Survey

The Field Trip of the Ohio-Kentucky Academies of Science and the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the Kentucky Geological Survey

The Proposed National Park in the Mammoth Cave Region and the Kentucky Geological Survey

The Proposed National Park in the Mammoth Cave Region and the Kentucky Geological Survey

The Proposed National Park in the Mammoth Cave Region and the Kentucky Geological Survey

The Proposed National Park in the Mammoth Cave Region and the Kentucky Geological Survey

Kentucky Geological Survey. Series VI. Part I. Geography of the Jackson Purchase

Kentucky Geological Survey. Series VI. Part I. Geography of the Jackson Purchase

The Origin of the Ohio Mounds: The Mounds of the Mississippi Valley Historically Considered . By Lucien Carr, assistant curator of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology. [From vol. ii. of the Memoirs of the Kentucky geological survey. N. S. Shaler, director.] 1883. 109 p. 4°.

The Origin of the Ohio Mounds: <i>The Mounds of the Mississippi Valley Historically Considered</i> . By Lucien Carr, assistant curator of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology. [From vol. ii. of the Memoirs of the Kentucky geological survey. N. S. Shaler, director.] 1883. 109 p. 4°.

MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA

This species was bred from minute mines in the leaves of Persimmon trees (Diospyros virginiana),gathered in great abundance at the “Bee Spring” camp of the Kentucky Geological Survey, in Edmondson County, a few miles west of the Mammoth Cave. I have never met with it in Northern Kentucky, where the Persimmon tree also grows, but is comparatively rare.