Outcrop expression of late Devonian transgressive-regressive cycles along Catskill delta complex basin margin of central West Virginia

Conference · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · AAPG Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5791138

McDowell, R J; Boswell, R M; Donaldson, A C

The Upper Devonian Catskill delta complex prograded westward across the central Appalachian basin in response to eustatic fluctuations in sea level and high rates of sediment supply associated with the Acadian orogeny. Excellent outcrops of Catskill delta complex basin-margin facies, located near Elkins, West Virginia, record a hierarchy of transgressive-regressive (T-R) cycles that formed as the Catskill shoreline regressed across east-central West Virginia during the middle Famennian. Subsurface mapping of intervals studied in outcrop indicates three distinct scales of T-R cycles based on the magnitude and lateral continuity of shoreline shift and the thickness of enclosed strata. Major cycles represent regional shifts of 30-50 mi (48-80 km), and are roughly 350 ft (100 m) thick. Intermediate cycles indicate more localized shoreline shifts of 15-25 mi (25-40 km), and are approximately 100-150 ft (30-50 m) thick. Minor cycles are expressed as local and minor shifts of less than 5 mi (8 km), and are from 10 to 30 ft (3-10 m) thick.

• Research Organization: West Virginia Univ., Morgantown (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5791138
• Report Number(s): CONF-8809345-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 72:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS
APPALACHIAN BASIN
DEVONIAN PERIOD
FEDERAL REGION III
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
NORTH AMERICA
PALEOZOIC ERA
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
USA
WEST VIRGINIA