39 Contributions to New England Stratigraphy & Structure: In Honor of Robert Moench and Douglas Rankin (Posters)

Tuesday, 24 March 2015
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Presidential Ballroom

MEMBER AND FORMATION LEVEL REVISIONS TO THE CAMBRIAN-ORDOVICIAN KITTATINNY SUPERGROUP, NORTHWESTERN NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK

Paper number: 39-4
Program: Symposia Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

The Cambrian-Ordovician Kittatinny Supergroup of northwestern New Jersey/ southeastern New York was initially described as thick, monotonous dolostones and limestones (Rogers, 1840; Weller, 1900; Kummel and Weller, 1901). Markewicz and Dalton (1977) divided the stratigraphy into mappable (1:24,000 scale) units. However, detailed stratigraphic studies were lacking to support mapping interpretations (Drake, 1978; Herman and Monteverde, 1989; Dalton et al., 1997; Herman et al., 1997). Long-standing research on cherts of the Kittatinny Supergroup (LaPorta, 1991, 1992, 1998, 2002, 2009) provided opportunities to examine facies and biostratigraphic relationships to resolve chertification mechanisms. Detailed stratigraphic section work (1:98 scale), in conjunction with continued geologic mapping (1:24,000 scale), and permitted the elucidation of new member and formation subdivisions within the Supergroup (LaPorta, 1991; 1992; 1998; 2002; 2009). These subdivisions are presented with the intention of introducing new type-sections for the Kittatinny Supergroup.

Markewicz and Dalton (1977) resolved Kittatinny stratigraphy as consisting, from oldest to youngest, of the Hardyston, Leithsville, Allentown, Rickenbach, Epler and Ontelaunee formations. Member subdivisions were recognized for the Leithsville (Califon, Hamburg, Wallkill), Allentown (Limeport and Upper), Rickenbach (Lower Unnamed, Hope, Crooked Swamp), Epler (Branchville, Big Springs, Lafayette) and Ontelaunee (Beaver Run, Harmonyvale). The current investigation revised member and formation subdivisions, and added a previously unrecognized formation, using litho- and biostratigraphic constraints. Specific revisions include raising the Limeport and Upper members of the Allentown Formation to formation status, and introducing the Stonehenge Formation to the section. Additionally, the Limeport Formation was divided into the Wildcat Road, Wheatsworth Mills, Gruenwald, Glacial Quarry, Edison and Route 94 members. The Stonehenge Formation was divided into the Carlton Village and Canal Road members. These revisions to the Kittatinny stratigraphy resolved long standing questions regarding formation identification, stratigraphic thicknesses, paleoenvironmental and structural setting interpretations.