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High-resolution correlation in apparently monotonous rocks: upper Ordovician Kope Formation, Cincinnati Arch
S M Holland1, D L Meyer, A I Miller
1Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-2501, USA.
Palaios
|September 7, 2001
Summary
High-resolution stratigraphic correlation is challenging in monotonous strata. This study successfully correlated Upper Ordovician Kope Formation outcrops using meter-scale cycles and faunal transitions.
Area of Science:
- Stratigraphy
- Paleontology
- Sedimentology
Background:
- Short stratigraphic sections and monotonous strata present challenges for high-resolution correlation.
- Lack of distinctive marker horizons hinders visual correlation between outcrops.
- The Upper Ordovician Kope Formation in the Cincinnati area exemplifies these correlation difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and test methodologies for high-resolution correlation of short stratigraphic sections.
- To improve the correlation of outcrops within the Upper Ordovician Kope Formation.
- To establish a framework for correlating complexly cyclic and seemingly monotonous strata.
Main Methods:
- Cross-correlation of meter-scale cycles within the Kope Formation.
- Utilizing large-scale faunal transitions among facies fossils to resolve ambiguous correlations.
- Applying these methods to two sections separated by 9 km.
Main Results:
- Successful high-resolution correlation of two Kope Formation sections separated by 9 km.
- Demonstrated the efficacy of using meter-scale cycles for outcrop correlation.
- Validated the use of faunal transitions to select the most plausible correlation.
Conclusions:
- Meter-scale cycle correlation combined with faunal analysis provides a robust method for high-resolution stratigraphic correlation.
- These methods show promise for correlating numerous outcrops in the Cincinnati area.
- The described methodologies are applicable to other regions with limited, complexly cyclic outcrops.
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