Classification of Paleochannels and their Relationship to Synsedimentary Faulting within the Lower Elkhorn Coal Zone: Pikeville Formation, Breathitt Group, Southeastern Kentucky
Acknowledgements, p. iii
List of Tables, p. vi
List of Figures, p. vii
List of Files, p. x
1.0 Introduction, p. 1
1.1 Background, p. 1
1.2 Objective of Thesis, p. 5
2.0 Location and Geologic Setting, p. 7
2.1 Location of Study Area, p. 7
2.2 Stratigraphy, p. 7
3.0 Data and Methods, p. 12
3.1 Data, p. 12
3.1.1 Data Type, p. 12
3.1.2 Data Sources, p. 12
3.2 Methods, p. 14
3.2. I Data Collection and Preparation, p. 14
3.2.1.1 Drill Hole Analysis, p. 14
3.2.1.2 Data Extraction, p. 15
3.2.2 Analysis of Sedimentary Trends, p. 15
3.2.2.1 lsolith Maps, p. 15
3.2.2.2 Cross Sect10ns and lsolith Profiles, p. 15
3.2.2.3 Measured Sections and In-Mine Mapping, p. 16
3.2.3 Analysis of Mine Maps, p. 17
3.2.4 Deep Structure Analysis of the Newman Limestone, p. 17
3.2.5 Relationships between Sedimentary Trends and Structure, p. 18
3.2.5.1 Trend-Surface Analysis, p. 18
3.2.5.2 Trend-Surface Residual Analysis, p. 19
3.2.5.3 Special Remarks on the Use of Trend-Surface Analysis, p. 19
4.0 Results, p. 22
4.1 Characteristics of Channels Within the Study Area, p. 22
4.1 .1 Background, p. 22
4.1.2 Channel types, p. 25
4.1.2.1 Regional Incised Sandstone Channels, p. 25
4. 1.2.2 Local Sandstone Scours, p. 28
4.1.2.3 Local Heterolithic Channels, p. 29
4.1.2.4 Overbank Deposits, p. 31
4.1.3 Coal-Seam Structure and Paleochannel-Related Mining Problems, p. 34
4.1 .4 Channel Classification Summary, p. 40
4 .2 Characteristics of the Stratigraphic Intervals, p. 41
4.2.1 Background, p. 41
4.2.2 Sandstone Geometry Types, p. 43
4.2.3 Analysis of lsolith Maps, p. 45
4.2.3. J The Lower Elkhorn/lower Elkhorn Rider Interval, p. 45
4.2.3.2 Lower Elkhorn Rider/Upper Elkhorn No. 2 Interval, p. 47
4.2.3.3 Upper Elkhorn No. 2 Split Interval, p. 49
4.2.3.4 Upper Elkhorn No. 2/Upper Elkhorn No. 3 Interval, p. 50
4.2.3.5 Upper Elkhorn No. 3 Coal Zone Interval, p. 52
4.2.3.6 Upper Elkhorn No. 3/Upper Elkhorn No. 3 ½ Interval, p. 53
4.2.3. 7 Upper Elkhorn No. 3 ½ /Amburgy Interval, p. 54
4.2.3.8 Amburgy Split Interval, p. 55
4.2.4 Analysis of lsolith Profiles, p. 55
4.2.5 Summary of Stratigraphic Intervals, p. 60
4 .3 Quantitative Comparison of Coal Measure Data to Geologic Structure, p. 62
4.3.1 Background, p. 62
4.3.2 Map Analysis of Total Sandstone Thickness Residuals, p. 66
4.3.3 Map Analysis of Coal Structure Residuals, p. 68
4.3.4 Regional Coal Seam Structure, p. 72
4.3.5 Summary of Residual Analysis, p. 72
4.4 Identification of Structural Lineaments within the Newman Limestone, p. 75
4.4.1 Background, p. 75
4.4.2 Newman Limestone Structural Lineaments, p. 78
4.4.3 Summary of Newman Limestone Structure Analysis, p. 89
4.5 A Comparison of Predicted Faults and Upper Elkhorn No. 3 and Lower Elkhorn
Paleochannels, p. 91
5.0 Discussion and Conclusions, p. 99
5. I Objective and Methodology, p. 99
5.2 Channel Types, p. 100
5 .3 Depositional Setting of the Channel Types, p. 104
5.4 Improving the Methods of Identifying Synsedimentary Faults, p. 106
Appendices, p. 107
Appendix 4.1: Mine and Highway Exposure Location Information, p. 108
Appendix 4.2: lsolith Maps of the Defined Stratigraphic Intervals, p. 116
Appendix 4.3: Cross Sections and Isolith Profiles, p. 131
References, p. 138
