Compendium of Rock-Unit Stratigraphy in Indiana

Abstract

The Geologic Names Committee of the Indiana Geological Survey has maintained for several years tables of the more important rock- and time-stratigraphic names that have been used in Indiana. These tables show classification and nomenclature that are current and also include obsolete, colloquial, trade, and synonymous terms. First prepared for members of the Indiana Geological Survey, the tables are presented here, together with descriptive information, for the many persons who use and contribute to geologic knowledge of the state.

This compendium, so composed, serves to clarify, unify, and stabilize stratigraphic terminology that nevertheless must remain in a fluid state in order to accommodate ever-increasing geologic information. It thus adds to, brings up to date, but does not supplant the next earlier nomenclatural summary for Indiana (Cummings, 1922, "Nomenclature and Description of the Geological Formations of Indiana," in Logan and others, Handbook of Indiana Geology), which contains much valuable information, particularly paleontologic, time-stratigraphic, historical, and bibliographic, that is not repeated here. In recognition of our debt to our predecessors in the field of Indiana stratigraphy, we here dedicate the Compendium of Rock-Unit Stratigraphy in Indiana to the pioneers of Indiana stratigraphy. Amond these, we cannot fail to mention George H. Ashley (1866-1951), Edgar R. Cumings (1874-1967), August F. Foerste (1862-1936), E.M. Kindle (1869-1940), Frank Leverett (1859-1943), Clyde A. Malott (1887-1950), and David Dale Owen (1807-60).

Begun under the direction of John B. Patton, the compilation of the tables and compendium was organized by the Geologic Names Committee, which consists of Henry H. Gray, Robert H. Shaver (chairman), and Charles E. Wier and formerly also of T.A. Dawson, John B. Patton (chairman), Ned M. Smith, Frank H. Walker, and William J. Wayne. All are grateful for contributions to the compendium, whether of authorship or review, that were made by other persons within and without the Geologic Names Committee. We are particularly grateful to T.G. Perry, who reviewed the entire manuscript.

The main body of this report, headed "Rock-Unit Names," is arranged alphabetically and consists of historical, bibliographic, descriptive, and correlative information for each of the Indiana rock-unit names that had had approved use in Geological Survey-sponsored publications or in manuscripts approved for publication as of December 31, 1968. An asterisk (*) indicates new names or conceptually revised names that were first published in this compendium or in other reports and maps as well before their definitive sources were published. Each name should be considered tentative until the definitive source is published.

Names regarded by the Indiana Geological Survey as unofficial for its use are not treated in primary fashion, but readers may consult the index, which lists the pages where the status of these names is reviewed. Neither are time and time-stratigraphic terms given primary consideration, and readers should refer to tables 1 through 6, which show the systematic interrelationships of these and rock-unit terms, both official and unofficial. The locations of type sections and type localities or areas for rock units named for Indiana places are shown in this report. The compendium is not intended to have a direct statement on stratigraphic and nomenclatural policy, although the Geological Survey has adopted most of the provisions of the "Code of Stratigraphic Nomenclature" (American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature, 1961); some exceptions were published by the Geologic Names Committee (1963).

Because they had had much first-hand experience, authors of the lexicon were encouraged to be somewhat authoritative rather than merely compilatory in their manner of presentation, so that primary authorship of each article is indicated by initials. An example of correct citation of a part of the compendium follows: Hutchinson, H.C., 1969, Mansfield Formation, in Shaver, R.H., and others, Compendium of rock-unit stratigraphy in Indiana: Indiana Geol. Survey Bull. 43, p. 102.

For information relative to the extent and physical characteristics of physiographic provinces that are mentioned in the text, the reader is referred to Malott (1922).