Spatial Characteristics of Paleochannels in Association with the Mississippian/Pennsylvanian Systematic Boundary in Western and South-Central Kentucky

• Main Author: Schoefernacker, Scott
• Format: Others
• Published: TopSCHOLAR® 2006
• Subjects: Earth Sciences; Geology
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/261; http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1264&context=theses

The basal Pennsylvanian Caseyville Formation of south-central Kentucky includes an extensive network of paleochannels, which unconformably overlie various Mississippian (Chesterian Series) rocks. Questions have been raised about the extent and orientation of paleochannels and the systemic boundary in the region. The problematical systemic boundary is quite significant in cases where marker beds are lacking or where sandstone facies of Pennsylvanian age are juxtaposed on lithologically similar Mississippian-age strata. Discerning the systemic boundary may also be complicated by facies changes in Chesterian strata. This study employs various data to investigate the Mississippian-Pennsylvanian systemic boundary such as well logs, outcrops, and subsurface-to-outcrop cross-sections. The subsurface and outcrop investigation was aided by use of the Kentucky Geological Survey's newly available Digitally Vectorized Geological Quadrangles (DVGQs) and the Indiana Geological Survey's Stratigraphic Column Generator. Several trunk and tributary systems were identified in this study covering about 20 miles of channels. Fluvial systems have a maximum incisement of 370 feet. Results of this study provide a better understanding of the sub-Pennsylvanian topography that evidently is dependent on lithologic variation of Upper Mississippian strata. Integration of DVGQs with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provides a new avenue that researchers can use to identify Pennsylvanian paleochannel systems that have proven to be economically important in the Illinois Basin region.