Panther Mountain Formation edit
Introduction edit
The Panther Mountain Formation is a Devonian stratigraphic unit found in the Catskills region of New York State. The unit consists mostly of shale, with subordinate siltstone and sandstone. The formation ranges from 600-1500 ft (180-460m) in thickness and is a formation within the Hamilton Group [1] .
Geographic Distribution edit
The Panther Mountain Formation is found in select counties distributed from the Mohawk Valley to the Catskill mountains of New York.[2] The formation can be found in outcrop in Ulster, Greene and Schoharie counties in New York State. The Panther Mountain formation is laterally equivalent with the Mahantango shale and sandstones, as well as the Mount Marion shale and sandstone. [2]
Discovery and History edit
G.A. Cooper first discovered and named the Panther Mountain Formation in 1933.[3] He suggested the name as a way to distinguish between the Skaneateles/Ludlowville formation and the over-riding Solsville/Portland Point members.[3] The formation is located near Panther Mountain , and due to this proximity Cooper chose to name the formation accordingly.
Geology edit
Stratigraphic History edit
Sediments the make up the Panther Mountain Formation were derived from the erosion of the Taconian mountains. Sediment eroded from the uplifted mountain range, and were transported towards a marine environment. The formation is characterized by large amounts of fossils found within the layers, providing the evidence for a marine depositional setting. [3] After deposition, these sediments were uplifted during "phase II" of the Acadian orogenic event.[4]
Underlying and Overlying Formations edit
Features underlying this formation are the Cherry Valley Limestone and the Bakoven Shale, both Members of the Hamilton Group and subgroups of the Marcellus shale. Both of these formations are of Devonian age, and consist of limestones and black shales.[5] Overlaying the Panther Mountain Formation is the Cooperstown shale and sandstone and the Plattekill shale and sandstone. Contacts between the Panther Mountain Formation and surrounding formations are well-defined and sharp. [3]
Formation Characteristics edit
The Panther Mountain Formation consists of a combination of shale and sandstone. Due to the depositional setting of the Formation, a complex variation in clastic lithologies characterizes the stratigraphy. Generally, bluish- gray silty shales which are interbedded with thin, clay rich sandstone layers as well as thicker-bedded brownish-gray fine grained sandstones. [3] Concretionary layers an thin coquinites are common. Various fossil species appear in the Formation, including many forms of brachiopods, pelecypods, bryozoans and crinoids.[3] Each of these ancient paleo-species indicates deposition in a marine setting. Aside from fossils, the Panther Mountain formation contains many distinctive features. Within fine grained sandstones, flow roll beds or storm rollers are common. Flow rolls beds are contorted structures, and range from 1- 8 ft in thickness.[3] Where the beds appear in thin bedded siltstones, there is a resemblance to spheroidal weathering.[3] Surrounding layers are undisturbed, and contacts between layers are well defined. Cross-stratified layering and ripple marks are common in sandstone and shale layers. [3]
References edit
- ^ Schweitzer, Peter. "Panther Mountain Formation". Mineral Resources, Online Spatial Data, Geology, By State, New York. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 12/3/13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b Rogers, Isachsen, Mock, Nyahay, William B., Yngvar W., Timothy D., Richard E (1990). New York State Geological Highway Map. The State Education Department of New York.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i Rickard, Lawrence V. (October 1364). "Panther Mountain Formation". Stratigraphy and Paleontology of the Richfield Springs and Cooperstown Quadrangles, New York. 396: 79- 86.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Selleck, Bruce W. "Sedimentology and Paleontology of Portion of the Hamilton Group in central New York".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Ball, Jessica. "Fiddling on a Crater". American Geophysics Union. Retrieved 11/5/13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help)