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Correlation Chart of Pennsylvanian Rocks in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania Showing Approximate Position of Coal Beds, Coal Zones, and Key Stratigraphic Units

By Leslie F. Ruppert, Michael H. Trippi, and Ernie R. Slucher

ABSTRACT This report contains a simplified provisional correlation chart that was compiled from both published and unpublished data in order to fill a need to visualize the currently accepted stratigraphic relations between Appalachian basin formations, coal beds and coal zones, and key stratigraphic units in the northern, central, and southern Appalachian basin coal regions of Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Appalachian basin coal beds and coal zones were deposited in a variety of geologic settings throughout the Lower, Middle, and Upper Pennsylvanian and Pennsylvanian formations were defined on the presence or absence of economic coal beds and coarse-grained sandstones that often are local or regionally discontinuous. The correlation chart illustrates how stratigraphic units (especially coal beds and coal zones) and their boundaries can differ between States and regions.

First posted August 2010 Report PDF (492 KB) For additional information contact: Leslie F. Ruppert U.S. Geological Survey 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, VA 20192 Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.

Suggested citation:

Ruppert, L.F., Trippi, M.H., and Slucher, E.R., 2010, Correlation chart of Pennsylvanian rocks in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania showing approximate position of coal beds, coal zones, and key stratigraphic units: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5152, 9 p., 3 plates, available only online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5152/.

Contents

Introduction

Geology of the Appalachian Basin and the Pennsylvania Anthracite Region

Coal Fields of the Appalachian Basin

Coal Production Within the Appalachian Basin

Pennsylvanian Strata Within the Appalachian Basin and the Pennsylvania Anthracite Fields

Lower Pennsylvanian Rocks

Middle Pennsylvanian Rocks

Upper Pennsylvanian Rocks

References Cited

Figures

1. Chronostratigraphic correlation chart of coal-bearing Pennsylvanian rocks in the Appalachian basin and Pennsylvania Anthracite region showing approximate position of coal beds, coal zones, and key stratigraphic units. (PDF 921 KB)
2. Map showing the location of the Appalachian basin coal regions, the Pennsylvania Anthracite region, and designated coal fields. (PDF 9.95 MB)
3. Map showing the location of major structural features and the coal-bearing regions of the Appalachian basin, including the Black Warrior basin and the Pennsylvania Anthracite region. (PDF 1.49 MB)