Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway

Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway

Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway
Daniel I. Carey, Martin C. Noger, Donald C. Haney, and Stephen F. Greb
The Caseyville Sandstone, seen here at Lake Malone in Muhlenberg County, lies along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway and along
the margin of the Western Kentucky Coal Field.
Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway
Hardin
Ohio
Grayson
Hopkins
Kentucky Geological Survey
James C. Cobb, State Geologist and Director
University of Kentucky, Lexington
Butler
Muhlenberg
Caldwell
Lyon
Special Publication 13
Series XII, 2012
2
Terrain Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway
While travelling along the parkway, you will see a variety of terrain. Where natural landforms (lay of the land) differ significantly from one area to another, this generally indicates that
each landform is underlain by a different type of rock. These different areas are known as physiographic regions. The major physiographic regions crossed by the Western Kentucky
Parkway are the Pennyroyal (Pennyrile), Clifty, and Western Kentucky Coal Field. Figure 1 shows all physiographic regions in Kentucky, as well as the location of the Western
Kentucky Parkway.
WARNING: Kentucky law prohibits vehicles from stopping on the shoulders of limited-access highways except in case of emergency—Title 603 KAR 5:025 Sec. 4.
90°W
39°N
38°N
89°W
88°W
87°W
Alluvium
Eastern Kentucky Coal Field
Pine Mountain
Inner Bluegrass
Bluegrass Hills
Outer Bluegrass
Knobs
Pennyroyal/Mississippian Plateau
Clifty
Western Kentucky Coal Field
Jackson Purchase
86°W
85°W
84°W
83°W
Wendell H. Ford
Western Kentucky Parkway
38°N
y
Pa
l
Hil
ad
es
37°N
r la
nd
lis
Cu
m
be
Esca rpm e nt
Dr ip
ping
S pr
90°W
er
hs
ug
37°N
Es
Riv
ra
60 Miles
ca
ck
rp
m
tu
en
t
n
Ke
u ld
40
82°W
39°N
M
0 10 20
89°W
The parkway begins in Lyon County at the junction with
Interstate 24 near Lake Barkley. West of mile 15.0, the
Pennyroyal Region is an upland underlain by limestone and
characterized by complex underground drainage systems
marked by sinkholes and caves; the limestone weathers to form
thick, reddish residual soils. From mile 15.0 to 20.0, the
landscape changes to narrow ridges and valleys underlain by
an alternating sequence of resistant sandstones and less
resistant shales and limestones: the Clifty Region.
From mile 20.0 to Leitchfield, the parkway crosses the
Western Kentucky Coal Field, one of the most important coal
producing areas in the world. The coal field is an upland of hills
with low to moderate relief and wide, poorly drained valleys
underlain by coal, shale, siltstone and sandstone.
From Leitchfield at mile 107.0 eastward to mile 122.0, the
parkway reenters the Clifty Region. The route down the
Dripping Springs Escarpment on the eastern edge of the Clifty
leads back to the Pennyroyal Sinkhole Plain, formed by
Mississippian limestones similar to those of the first 20 miles.
This lower plateau extends to the end of the parkway.
88°W
87°W
i ng
s
86°W
85°W
84°W
83°W
82°W
Figure 1. Physiographic regions in Kentucky and location of the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway.
Roadlog and Strip Maps
Geologic units are shown approximately 0.5 mile on either side of the highway. Figure 2 shows the
symbols used on all the strip maps. The construction of these continuous strip maps was facilitated by
the availability of detailed 1:24,000-scale (1 inch on the map equals 24,000 inches or 2,000 feet on the
ground) geologic data in digital form for the entire state; the digital data were converted from geologic
quadrangle maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey in a joint project with the Kentucky
Geological Survey from 1960 to 1978. The parkway’s area is covered by 24 of these maps. Figure 3
shows the 7.5-minute quadrangles the parkway passes through.
The roadlog covers the entire extent of the Western Kentucky Parkway. All descriptions of rock
strata and geologic features are referenced to the highway mile markers that are located at 1-mile
intervals along the shoulder of the highway. Mile-marker numbers are the same on both sides of the
highway. Some of the roadcuts identified during a survey in the 1990’s, particularly into shale, may now
be revegetated. The descriptions were nonetheless retained in order to identify what now lies beneath
the overgrowth.
36
!
Mile marker
#
Observation point
18
Photo location
Stream
U (up)
Geologic fault
D (down)
Concealed geologic fault
County line
Lakes, ponds
Railroad
Mapped sinkholes
Highway or road
Mined area
Artificial fill
Oil and gas wells
Figure 2. Symbols used on the strip maps.
Q14
Q15
Q16
Q17
Q18
Q19
Q20
R13
R14
Crider
Olney
Dawson Springs
Saint Charles
Nortonville
Graham
Greenville
Eddyville
Princeton West
P20
P21
P22
P23
Central City West
Central City East
Paradise
Cromwell
Big Clifty
Summit
Sonora
Hardin
M30 M31
Ohio
Grayson N28 N29 N30
M30
M31
Cecilia
Elizabethtown
O23 O24 O25 O26 O27 O28
Hopkins
P20 P21 P22 P23
Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 Q19 Q20
R13 R14 Caldwell
Lyon
N28
N29
N30
3
Muhlenberg
Butler
O23
O24
O25
O26
O27
O28
Horton
Rosine
Spring Lick
Caneyville
Leitchfield
Clarkson
Figure 3. The Western Kentucky Parkway passes through these 7.5-minute quadrangles.
Stratigraphy
A stratigraphic column (Fig. 4) is a generalized graphic representation of the rock layers present at the earth's surface. Figure 4 shows the rock units exposed along the Western
Kentucky Parkway, and indicates the units’ geologic ages. To make it easier to study and describe these stratigraphic units, geologists have subdivided them into groups, formations,
members, and beds. A group is a major stratigraphic unit containing two or more formations. A formation is a unit of rock that has characteristic and distinctive rock types and layering that
are mappable. A member is a subdivision of a formation that is distinguishable from adjacent parts of the formation. A bed is a rock unit lower in rank than a member, which has a
distinctive lithology (for example, a coal bed). The abbreviations used on geologic maps to designate specific rock units are indicated in parentheses after the unit name in Figure 4.
References
Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2003, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Butler County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 61,
scale 1:63,360.
Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2004, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Lyon County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 51,
scale 1:48,000.
Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2005a, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Caldwell County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart
111, scale 1:63,360.
Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2005b, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and
Chart 110, scale 1:63,360.
Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2005c, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Ohio County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 113,
scale 1:63,360.
Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2006, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Grayson County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart
130, scale 1:63,360.
Carey, D.I., and Hounshell, T.D., 2008, Kentucky terrain: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 187, scale 1:750,000.
Carey, D.I., Hounshell, T.D., and Kiefer, J.D., 2008, Geologic hazards in Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 185, scale 1:750,000.
Carey, D.I., 2011, Kentucky Landscapes Through Geologic Time: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 200, 1sheet.
Carey, D. I., Noger, M.C., Haney, D.C., 2011, Geology Along the Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway: Kentucky Geological S urvey, ser. 12, Special Publication 11, 10 p.
Carey, D. I., Noger, M.C., Haney, D.C., and Dever, G.R., Jr., 2011, Geology Along Interstate 64: Winchester to Ashland: Kentucky Geological S urvey, ser. 12, Special Publication 12,
13 p.
4
Conley, T.J., 2002a, Spatial database of the Big Clifty quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-192. Adapted
from Swadley, W C, 1962, Geology of the Big Clifty quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ -192, scale 1:24,000.
Conley, T.J., 2002b, Spatial database of the Summit quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-298. Adapted
from Moore, F.B., 1964, Geology of the Summit quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ -298, scale 1:24,000.
Conley, T.J., 2005, Spatial database of the Greenville quadrangle, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data
DVGQ-907. Adapted from Kehn, T.M., 1971, Geologic map of the Greenville quadrangle, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ907, scale 1:24,000.
Crawford, M.M., 2001, Spatial database of the Elizabethtown quadrangle, Hardin and Larue Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geologi cal Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic
Quadrangle Data DVGQ-559. Adapted from Kepferle, R.C., 1966, Geologic map of the Elizabethtown quadrangle, Hardin and Larue Counties, Kentucky: U. S. Geological Survey
Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-559, scale 1:24,000.
Crawford, M.M., 2005, Spatial database of the Saint Charles quadrangle, Hopkins and Christian Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vector ized Geologic
Quadrangle Data DVGQ-674. Adapted from Palmer, J.E., 1967, Geologic map of the Saint Charles quadrangle, Hopkins and Christian Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological
Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-674, scale 1:24,000.
Crawford, M.M., Beck, E.G., Williams, D.A., and Carey, D.I., 2005, Generalized geologic map for land-use planning, Hopkins County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12,
Map and Chart 91, scale 1:63,360.
Currens, J.C., 2001, Generalized block diagram of the Western Pennyroyal karst: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and Chart 16, 1 sheet.
Johnson, T.L., 2001, Spatial database of the Sonora quadrangle, Hardin and Larue Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle
Data DVGQ-492. Adapted from Moore, F.B., 1965, Geologic map of the Sonora quadrangle, Hardin and Larue Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geo logical Survey Geologic Quadrangle
Map GQ-492, scale 1:24,000.
Martin, S.L., 2002, Spatial database of the Eddyville quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-255. Adapted
from Rogers, W.B., 1963, Geology of the Eddyville quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ -255, scale 1:24,000.
Mullins, J.E., 2002a, Spatial database of the Caneyville quadrangle, Grayson County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, se r. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data
DVGQ-1472. Adapted from Gildersleeve, B., and Johnson, W.D., Jr., 1978, Geologic map of the Caneyville quadrangle, Grayson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey
Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1472, scale 1:24,000.
Mullins, J.E., 2002b, Spatial database of the Clarkson quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally V ectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-278. Adapted
from Glick, E.E., 1963, Geology of the Clarkson quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-278, scale 1:24,000.
Mullins, J.E., and Thompson, M.F., 2002, Spatial database of the Paradise quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally
Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-1173. Adapted from Kehn, T.M., 1974, Geologic map of the Paradise quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: U.S.
Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1173, scale 1:24,000.
Nelson, H.L., Jr., 2003a, Spatial database of the Crider quadrangle, Caldwell County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Q uadrangle Data
DVGQ-1283. Adapted from Rogers, W.B., and Trace, R.D., 1976, Geologic map of the Crider quadrangle, Caldwell County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic
Quadrangle Map GQ-1283, scale 1:24,000.
Nelson, H.L., Jr., 2003b, Spatial database of the Princeton West quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, D igitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ385. Adapted from Sample, R.D., 1965, Geology of the Princeton West quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Qua drangle Map GQ-385, scale 1:24,000.
Nelson, H.L., Jr., 2005a, Spatial database of the Central City East quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized
Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-1031. Adapted from Palmer, J.E., 1972, Geologic map of the Central City East quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: U.S.
Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1031, scale 1:24,000.
Nelson, H.L., Jr., 2005b, Spatial database of the Graham quadrangle, western Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geol ogic Quadrangle Data DVGQ765. Adapted from Kehn, T.M., 1968, Geologic map of the Graham quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ -765, scale 1:24,000.
5
Plauché, S.T., 2002, Spatial database of the Rosine quadrangle, western Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser . 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-928.
Adapted from Johnson, W.D., Jr., 1971, Geologic map of the Rosine quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geolog ic Quadrangle Map GQ-928, scale 1:24,000.
Smith, P.C., 2002a, Spatial database of the Leitchfield quadrangle, Grayson County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized G eologic Quadrangle Data
DVGQ-1316. Adapted from Gildersleeve, B., 1978, Geologic map of the Leitchfield quadrangle, Grayson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map
GQ-1316, scale 1:24,000.
Smith, P.C., 2002b, Spatial database of the Spring Lick quadrangle, western Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ1475. Adapted from Gildersleeve, B., and Johnson, W.D., Jr., 1978, Geologic map of the Spring Lick quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic
Quadrangle Map GQ-1475, scale 1:24,000.
Smith, P.C., 2003, Spatial database of the Dawson Springs quadrangle, western Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data
DVGQ-573. Adapted from Kehn, T.M., 1966, Geologic map of the Dawson Springs quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey G eologic Quadrangle Map GQ-573,
scale 1:24,000.
Solis, M.P., 2005, Spatial database of the Central City West quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geo logical Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic
Quadrangle Data DVGQ-831. Adapted from Palmer, J.E., 1969, Geologic map of the Central City West quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological
Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-831, scale 1:24,000.
Thompson, M.F., Toth, K.S., Mullins, J.E., and Andrews, W.M., Jr., 2002, Spatial database of the Cromwell quadrangle, Butler and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological
Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-1250. Adapted from Gildersleeve, B., 1975, Geologic map of the Cromwell quadrangle, Butler and Ohio
Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1250, scale 1:24,000.
Toth, K.S., 2001, Spatial database of the Cecilia quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vector ized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-263. Adapted from
Kepferle, R.C., 1963, Geology of the Cecilla quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ -263, scale 1:24,000.
Toth, K.S., 2003, Spatial database of the Olney quadrangle, Caldwell and Hopkins Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle
Data DVGQ-742. Adapted from Trace, R.D., and Kehn, T.M., 1968, Geologic map of the Olney quadrangle, Caldwell and Hopkins Counties, Ken tucky: U.S. Geological Survey
Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-742, scale 1:24,000.
Toth, K.S., 2005, Spatial database of the Nortonville quadrangle, Hopkins and Christian Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic
Quadrangle Data DVGQ-762. Adapted from Palmer, J.E., 1968, Geologic map of the Nortonville quadrangle, Hopkins and Christian Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey
Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-762, scale 1:24,000.
Toth, K.S., Thompson M.F., and Andrews, W.M., Jr., 2002, Spatial database of the Horton quadrangle, Ohio County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally
Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-915. Adapted from Johnson, W.D., Jr., 1971, Geologic map of the Horton quadrangle, Ohio County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological
Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-915, scale 1:24,000.
Trace, R.D., 1981, Middle Chesterian rocks in the Stevens Hill cut, Caldwell County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, se r. 11, 1 sheet.
Trace, R.D., and Kehn, T.M., 1968, Geologic map of the Olney quadrangle, Caldwell and Hopkins Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ -742,
scale 1:24,000.
Geologic Time
Scale
Unit
Description
Geologic Time
Scale
Unit
Description
6
Alluvium (Qal)
silt, clay, sand,
and gravel
Lacustrine and fluvial deposits (Qlf)
gravel, sand, silt, clay
Tuscaloosa Formation (Kt)
gravel, sand, silt, clay
2 million
years ago
Patoka Formation (Pp)
Shelburn Formation (Psh)
Baker (W. Ky. No. 13) coal (13)
Paradise (W. Ky. No. 12) coal (12)
Carbondale Formation (Pc)
Herrin (W. Ky. No. 11) coal (11)
Springfield (W. Ky. No. 9) coal (9)
W. Ky. No. 7 coal (7)
W. Ky. No. 6 coal (6)
Tradewater Formation (Pt)
Mining City coal (mc)
Elm Lick coal (e)
W. Ky. No. 4 coal (4)
Tradewater and
Caseyville Formations (Ptc)
Pennsylvanian
300 million
years ago
Golconda
Formation
(Mgo)
Mississippian
325 million
years ago
Leitchfield
Formation (Ml)/
Buffalo Wallow
Formation (Mbw)
Caseyville Formation (Pca)
Kinkead Limestone, Degonia
Sandstone, Clore Limestone (Mkc)
Palestine Sandstone (Mpt)
Menard Limestone (Mme)
Waltersburg Sandstone and
Vienna Limestone (Mwv)
Tar Springs Sandstone (Mts)
sandstone, shale, siltstone, coal, limestone
sandstone, shale, siltstone, coal, limestone
355 million
years ago
limestone, fine-grained
limestone, fine-grained
siltstone and shale
limestone, fine-grained
sandstone and minor shale
Bethel Sandstone (Mbe)
limestone, fine-grained
limestone and minor shale
Sample Sandstone (Msa)
Paint Creek Limestone (Mpc)
sandstone and minor shale
sandstone and minor shale
limestone and minor shale
Cypress Sandstone (Mc)
limestone, fine-grained
limestone and minor shale
Reelsville Limestone (Mr)
Beaver Bend Limestone, Mooretown
Formation, Paoli Limestone (Mbp)
limestone, fine-grained
limestone and shale
sandstone, siltstone,
shale, limestone
shale and sandstone
sandstone and minor shale
Beech Creek
Limestone Member (Mgc)
Fort Payne Formation (Mfp)
limestone and minor shale
sandstone and minor shale
Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mh)
Big Clifty Sandstone Member (Mgb)
St. Louis Limestone (Msl)
St. Louis and Salem
Limestones (Mss)
Warsaw Limestone (Mw)
sandstone, siltstone, shale,
limestone
limestone and minor shale
conglomeratic sandstone,
shale, siltstone, coal, limestone
conglomeratic sandstone,
shale, siltstone, coal, limestone
sandstone, siltstone, shale,
limestone
limestone and minor shale
Haney Limestone Member (Mgh)
Bethel Sandstone and
Renault Limestone (Mbr)
Renault Limestone (Mre)
Renault Limestone and Ste.
Genevieve Limestone (Mrsg)
Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Msg)
Ste. Genevieve Limestone and St. Louis
Limestone, Upper Member (Mssu)
Rosiclare Sandstone Member of the
Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Msgr)
sandstone, shale, siltstone, coal, limestone
Glen Dean Limestone (Mgd)
Girkin Formation (Mg)
340 million
years ago
sandstone, shale, siltstone, coal, limestone
Mississippian
Quaternary
Present
limestone, fine-grained
sandstone and minor shale
limestone and shale
sandstone and minor shale
Figure 4. Generalized stratigraphic column. Nearly 300 million years of the geologic record are absent in Kentucky, either from nondeposition or erosion, including the Tertiary, Cretaceous,
Jurassic, Triassic, Permian, and part of the Pennsylvanian Periods.
Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway:
Mile 0.0–13.0
7
1
The topography of the Pennyroyal Region along this section of
the parkway ranges from flat river valleys to narrow ridges,
with elevations ranging from 380 to 710 feet. Photo by Glynn
Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey.
Lyon County
V
U
3171
Mss
62
!3
!2
Mfp
1
!
§
¦
¨
24
D
U
U
V
R
Q
3305
Caldwell County
!4
D
!5
!6
U
U
U
D
D
U
Pca
DU
U
11
1 !
!
(
10
!
12
!
Qal
62
£
¤
!9
D
Mssu
R
Q
Tuscaloosa Formation (Kt) of Cretaceous age lies
unconformably on St. Louis Limestone (Msl) of
Mississippian age. Rocks of Jurassic, Triassic,
Permian, Pennsylvanian, and Late Mississippian
ages, representing an interval of about 250
million years, are missing.
UD
D
U
D
U
D
Mre
818
Vertical
shaft
Ridgetop
pond
Non-limestone
protective
caprock
Karst
valley
Karst
Sinking
Cave
Sinkhole window entrance stream
Base level
stream
Spring
93
Cave
passages
!0
U
91
!8
!7
Msls
R
Q
Mbe
U
D
£
¤
Q14 Crider
R13 Eddyville
R14 Princeton West
Mw
V
U
1199
Geologic Map Index
Mile 10.9: Mississippian Ste. Genevieve Limestone
(Msg) juts from the embankment like prehistoric
beasts. Exposed rocks are rare at the beginning of
the parkway.
Limestone is abundant in Caldwell County. The Princeton
Quarry of the Rogers Group produces 800,000 tons of crushed
stone each year from the Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Msg).
The quarry, on the southeast side of Princeton off of Ky. 91, has
been in operation since 1891. Photo by Glynn Beck, Kentucky
Geological Survey.
D
Sinkholes can present problems. The baseball field at Lee Jones
Lyon County Recreational Park was moved because a sinkhole
formed in the infield. Photo by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological
Survey.
Dry
hole
Producing
well
Water
table
Karst is an irregular limestone region with sinkholes, underground
streams, and caverns. Certain rock units have more sinkholes than
others. The Ste. Genevieve (Msg) and St. Louis (Msl) Limestones
form karst features. Fractures in the rock become enlarged when the
rock dissolves, forming sinkholes and sinking streams. In karst areas,
most rainfall sinks underground, resulting in fewer streams flowing on
the surface than in nonkarst settings. Water flows underground
through cracks, crevices, and caves, sometimes reemerging at karst
windows, then sinks again to eventually discharge at a spring along a
major stream or at the top of underlying impermeable rock. From
Currens (2001).
R
Q
29
!
8
Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford
Western Kentucky Parkway:
Mile 13.0–26.6
Mile 25.4: W. Ky. No. 6
coal, mined commercially
2
3
East
Mile 15.3: Thick limestone overlying shale and
thin limestone in the Golconda Formation (Mgo).
From Olney GQ (Q15)
Mile 15.6: Sandy shale unit in the Glen Dean Limestone (Mgd).
Caldwell
County
Mgo
Mile 15.9–16.1: Contact between shaly
limestone of the Glen Dean Limestone
(Mgd) and fine-grained sandstone and
shale of theTar Springs Sandstone (Mts).
o
Units dip about 2 to the east. Minor
fault about 100 feet east of mile 16.1
(Trace,1981).
A north-trending fault (not exposed) at about
mile 15.0 causes the units to dip about 14o to
the east. Dip diminishes to about 2o by mile
16.0. From Trace and Kehn (1968).
Gumlick
Branch
Mile 15.0: The landscape changes to the east from an
upland of complex sinkholes and thick residual soils to
narrow ridges and valleys underlain by an alternating
sequence of resistant sandstones and less-resistant
shales and limestones.
Mc
293
14
!
Msl
13
!
Mre
Wiley
Creek
UD
3
#
2
#
!
(
15
# !
(
!
Mh
Mrsg Mgo
Mpc
Mgd
#!
16 #
Ward
Creek
Mts
D
Mme
Mpt
X
Flynn
Fork
20
#
7!
!
(
6
!
(
5
!
(
19
!
Pca
21
!
Pt
Hopkins
County
E
kB
U
D
Pc
25
!
24
!
#
23
!
Qal
U
D
Q
R
109
Mile 23.1: W. Ky. No. 4
coal, mined commercially
22
#!
#
26
!
#
Mile 26.6:
Sandstone
Tradewater
River
Mile 21.9:
Crabtree Fault
D
U
D
18
#
17
!
U D
Q
R
D
U
4#
(
!!
D
U
U
D
U
U
D
V
U
1220
or
.F
.
Cr
ull
D
U
Geologic Map Index
7
Q15 Olney
Q16 Dawson Springs
Mkc
Mile 17.3: Waltersburg Sandstone
and Vienna Limestone (Mwv); shale,
siltstone, sandstone, and limestone
Mile 20.0: Gray shale in the Tradewater Formation (Pt). Shale is flaky (lower left photo) and
often contains nodules of an iron carbonate
called siderite (lower right photo).
Mbe
5
4
Mile 18.2: Shaly limestone and shale in the
Menard Limestone (Mme).
Mile 19.5: Ironstone concretions in the Caseyville Formation (Pca)
resemble hornets' nests. Concretions form when groundwater dissolves
iron compounds from the inner part of a block, then redeposits them as
insoluble iron oxide in the outer parts, cementing grains in the original rock.
Concretions may be released from surrounding softer rock through
weathering.
6
Mile 19.7: Sandstone above an unnamed coal
bed over shale in the Pennsylvanian Tradewater
Formation (Pt).
#
9
Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 26.7–39.5
Geologic Map Index
Q16 Dawson Springs
Q17 Saint Charles
Q18 Nortonville
Oil and gas are valuable energy resources in Kentucky.
In the Morton Gap Field, oil is produced from sandstones
in the Pennsylvanian Tradewater Formation (Pt) and the
Mississippian Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mh), Paint Creek
Limestone (Mpc), and Renault Limestone and Ste.
Genevieve Limestone (Mrsg).
Coal mining is a vital part of the Hopkins and Muhlenberg
County economies. From 1866–2000, Hopkins County
produced 782 million tons of coal: 475 million from underground mines and 307 million from surface mines. Combined production for Muhlenberg County since 1820 is
more than 750 million tons. Photo by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey.
Breathitt
Parkway
The most common mining methods in western Kentucky
are area (dragline or dozer), slope, and shaft. Both surface
and underground mining has occurred in the area of the
parkway. Illustration by Stephen Greb, Kentucky Geological Survey.
X
Q
R
813
X
X
X
Qal
X
Mile 27.1:
Sandstone
Hopkins County
Mile 28.1:
Crabtree Fault
#
28 #
!
D
X U
X
X
X
X
X
30
!
X
29
!
X
#
X
X
£
¤
Copperas
Creek
D
U
X
62
Mile 27.8: W. Ky.
No. 9 coal, mined
commercially
X
X
112
27 #
!
X
V
U
1338
XX
X
X
Cane
X
Run X
X
X
31
X
X
!
X
X
X
32
!
8#
!
(
X
#
X
X
Psh
9
#
(
33 !
!
X
Pc
Mile 32.3:
Sandstone
X
X
X
36
35
!
##
34
!
Pleasant
Run
!
X
X
X
V
U
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
38
!
X
V
U
3059
X
X
41
£
¤
X
X
X
#
X#
10
39 !
(
!
X
X
37
!
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
UX
D
X
X
Pp
Mile 34.1: Sandstone of the
Carbondale Formation (Pc)
U
D
Mile 38.8–39.4:
Sandstone over
W. Ky. No. 7 coal
10
Mile 31.7: W. Ky. No. 7 coal, mined commercially.
#
2272
Mile 30.5:
Sandstone
8
X
9
Mile 33.2: Pine trees cling to this vertical cliff, fed by
water percolating down cracks in sandstone of the
Carbondale Formation (Pc).
Mile 39.2: From 1919–2007, western Kentucky produced nearly 450
million barrels of oil and 200 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Peak oil
production was 14 million barrels in 1964; production in 2007 was
1.1 million barrels. Peak gas production was 22.6 billion cubic feet in
1967; production in 2007 was 370 million cubic feet.
Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 39.5–52.8
Soils from Pennsylvanian rocks
provide the basis for
a strong agricultural
economy. In addition
to corn, soybeans,
and tobacco, nontraditional crops,
such as green
peppers (bottom),
are increasingly
grown for the
commercial
vegetable market.
Photos by Glynn
Beck, Kentucky
Geological Survey.
Mile 41.9:
Sandstone
St. Charles
Fault
Drakes
Creek
X
X
U
D
40
!
Qal
X
X
X
X
U
XD
41
!
X
X
#
U
D
X
X
U
D
Pp
Hopkins
County
X
X
X
X
X #X X
X
X
#42 XX X
!
X
X
X
X
Muhlenberg
County
Psh
43
X
U
X
D
X
!
X
X
X
X 44
!
X
62
£
¤
Pond
River
Mile 42.3:
Sandstone
over shale
D
U
12
Mile 51.3: Crossbedded sandstone deposited by an
ancient river lies above the Paradise (W. Ky. No. 12)
coal in the Shelburn Formation (Psh); mined commercially.
South Graham
Fault
X
X
X
X
#
11
!
(
U
D
45
!
46
#
!
U
D
North Graham
Fault
Geologic Map Index
D
XU
P20 Central City West
Q18 Nortonville
Q19 Graham
Q20 Greenville
47
#
X
!
X
X
X
Q
R
175
X
Q
R
175
X
U
D
U
D
X X
#
D
U
49
!
48
!
V
U
2690
Pc
X
X X
Thompson
Creek
Mile 47.4:
Sandstone
10
White and yellow sulfur precipitates
from pyrite weathering in the coal.
X
X
X
X
X X
X
XX
X X50 #X X X
X
XX X X
X
X X X
601
X X
!
X
X
X
XX
X X
Q
R
Cypress
Creek
12#
!
(
51
!
52
!
Little
Cypress
Creek
Q
R
181
Mile 50.1: Springfield
(W. Ky. No. 9) coal
Oil and gas are valuable energy resources in
Kentucky. In the New Cypress Oil Field, oil is
produced from sandstones in the Pennsylvanian
Caseyville Formation (Pca) and the Mississippian
Tar Springs Sandstone (Mts), Big Clifty Sandstone
Member of the Golconda Formation (Mgb), Paint
Creek Limestone (Mpc), Bethel Sandstone (Mbe),
and Renault and Ste. Genevieve Limestones (Mrsg).
D
U
11
Mile 44.4: Swampy wetlands are remnants of past surface
mining.
Constructed in the late 1950's, Lake Malone—about 15 miles
south of the parkway via Ky. 181 or U.S. 431—covers 825
acres in southern Muhlenberg County, with branches in Todd
and Logan Counties. The lake was made possible by local
game and fishing clubs and is currently the only major recreational site in the three-county area. Photo by Glynn Beck,
Kentucky Geological Survey.
The fishing is good below the outlet spillway of Lake
Malone in the Sandstone Hills area of southern Muhlenberg County. The lake is surrounded by 50-foot sandstone
bluffs of the Caseyville Formation (Pca) and hardwood
forests with hiking trails.
13
55
#
!
54
!
e
53
#
!
13
!
(
Alluvium (Qal):
Silt, clay, sand,
and gravel
ttl
Li
e
pr
Cy
ss
k
ee
Cr
#
62
!
#
64
#
!
!
(
15
65
!
n
#
16
!
(
Qal
Ohio County
Mile 62.1–62.4:
Sandstone
Psh
Mile 58.7:
Sandstone
60
!
62
£
¤
59
!
V
U
!
#
61
2103
56 #
63
!
#!
14
!
(
Mile 56.1–56.4:
Sandstone
189
1379
67
!
66
!
Muhlenberg County
P20 Central City West
P21 Central City East
P22 Paradise
Q20 Greenville
Q
R
V
U
Mile 63.6–64.0: Baker (W. Ky. No. 13) coal bed in
the Shelburn Formation (Psh); mined commercially.
Geologic Map Index
Mile 55.0: Paradise
(W. Ky. No. 12), Herrin
(W. Ky. No. 11) coal
beds
Gr
ee
15
Mile 53.0: Sandstone in the Carbondale Formation (Pc). Just as sand on beaches comes in
many colors, sandstones range from brown to
gray.
16
r
81
The 370-mile-long Green
River, longest in Kentucky, begins in Lincoln
County and drains more
than 8,800 square miles
before entering the Ohio
River near Henderson.
Along the way, it provides recreation and
water supply, and irrigation water and wide
alluvial valleys for agriculture. Photo by William
Andrews, Kentucky Geological Survey.
ve
Ri
Q
R
Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford
Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 52.8–67.0
11
58
!
57
!
#
431
£
¤
#
62
£
¤
Carbondale Formation (Pc):
Sandstone, shale, coal,
and underclay
Mile 60.85: Water
percolates down
cracks in sandstone of the Shelburn Formation
(Psh), feeding
trees that cling
to the cliff side.
16
Mile 65.6: The Tennessee Valley Authority Paradise coal-fired power
plant is located on the Green River near the village of Paradise. The
plant has three units, completed between 1963 and 1970, and three
large natural-draft cooling towers to provide cooling water. In 1985, a
barge unloading facility was added so that coal could be delivered by
barge as well as by rail and truck.
14
Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 67.0–80.6
12
Ss
coal
underclay
19
shale
Mile 80.4: Sandstone, shale, siltstone, and coal in the slumping
Pennsylvanian Tradewater and Caseyville Formations (Ptc).
The apparent fault outlined in red is thought to be the result of
slumping at some point during the deposition and compression
of rock-forming sediments.
Ls
17
Mile 68.6: Shelburn Formation (Psh) contains sandstone, Baker (W. Ky. No. 13) coal, underclay, shale,
and limestone.
Geologic Map Index
O23 Horton
O24 Rosine
P22 Paradise
P23 Cromwell
18
Mile 73.5: Sandy and silty shale
above and below a coal bed in
the Carbondale Formation (Pc).
Pines can grow on acidic shales.
Iron precipitate creates a rusty
patina (inset).
Ptc
78
!
Qal
75
!
73
#
!
V
U
!
#
!
68
!
Psh
79
!
rk M
uddy
80
#
!
Cr.
19
#
!
(
Mile 78.5–80.0:
Sandstone and shale
18
#
!
(
74
!
231
£
¤
Exit 77:
Natcher
Parkway
Creek
70
17
#
!
(
#
Ohio County
2720
69
!
Threelick
Fork
76
!
Pc
Mile 67.7: Baker
(W. Ky. No.13)
coal bed
77
!
S. Fo
#!
71
#
Le
wi
s
Mile 70.5–70.9: Springfield (W. Ky. No. 9) coal
below silty shale
72
!
Q
R
369
Alluvium (Qal): Gravel,
sand, silt, and clay
V
U
1245
V
U
1245
Corn, soybeans, tobacco, livestock, chickens, and
timber contribute to the economy of the Western
Kentucky Coal Field. Economic diversification is
also important to the region. A 1,100-acre industrial
park, Bluegrass Crossings Business Centre, is
located near exit 77. It is supported by Daviess,
Hancock, McLean, Muhlenberg, and Ohio Counties.
Coal mining continues to be a vital part of the Ohio County economy. Extensive surface and underground
mining has occurred in southern Ohio County. The D.B. Wilson power plant (right) in Matanzas, about 8
miles north of the parkway, is one of 22 coal-fired electricity-generating plants in Kentucky. Photos by
Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey.
Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford
Western Kentucky Parkway:
Mile 80.6–93.6
13
21
23
#
!
(
81 #
!
Mile 84.4–85.7: Elm Lick coal
in Tradewater Formation (Pt)
Q
R
82 #
#!
#
Sixes
Creek
#
Mile 81.1: Sandstone and siltstone
83
!
Mile 82.8: Sandstone over shale
Mile 86.2:
Shale
#
22
!
(
Ptc
2713
#
N. Prong
Indian
Camp Cr.
#
#
85
!
#
21
!
(
#
V
U
2717
Mile 84.8:
Shale over
siltstone
86
!
87
#
!
#
Indian
Camp Cr.
Alluvium (Qal): Sand,
silt, clay, and gravel
Ohio County
V
U
84
#!
20
!
(
X
Mile 86.7–87.0:
Sandstone
88
!
#
Q
R
340
89
!
Brushy
Pond Cr.
Mile 88.6: Shale
over sandstone
Mile 83.9: Pennsylvanian Tradewater and Caseyville Formations (Ptc) consist of sandstone over silty shale.
91
!
23
#
!
(
93
#!
25#
!
(
Q
R
736
#
Mile 92.9:
Sandstone
Mile 91.2:
Shale
Grayson County
#
Mile 93.4:
Shale over
sandstone
Geologic Map Index
O24 Rosine
O25 Spring Lick
Butler County
22
20
90
!
Dog
Creek
92
#!
24
!
(
X
r.
S. Fork
Muddy
Creek
Mile 82.2–82.4:
Shale
505
Mile 92.4: Sandstone over shale over siltstone in the
Tradewater and Caseyville Formations (Ptc).
Mile 91.6: Shale unit of the Tradewater and Caseyville
Formations (Ptc). When exposed to air and water, shale
breaks down quickly. It is unstable on slopes, makes a
poor foundation, and requires drainage management. It
does provide an impermeable seal for ponds and wastedisposal areas.
kC
Buc
Mile 85.2: The Elm Lick coal bed in the Tradewater Formation (Pt) is not thick enough here for commercial mining. The
pale yellow strata beneath the coal is underclay; below that
is silty shale.
Mile 81.9: Mining
City coal bed
25
Mile 90.7: Shale in the Tradewater and Caseyville Formations (Ptc). A lens of siltstone in the flow path is more resistant to erosion than the shale.
24
Mile 91.9: Erodible shale flakes fall from above past
erosion-resistant siltstone. Ponded water on the shale
feeds plants.
#
#
Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 93.6–107.2
14
30
Ragland Quarry, a mile west of Leitchfield off of Ky. 54, produces
300,000 tons of crushed stone, asphalt, and lime a year from the
Glen Dean Limestone (Mgd) and Haney Limestone Member of the
Golconda Formation (Mgh).
Most ponds constructed on shale units, such as this
one off of Ky. 2766 just south of the parkway, are
successful.
Mgb Mgh
Mile 106.0: Sandstone of the
Caseyville Formation (Pca)
Mgd
Q
R
Mile 99.3:
Sandstone of
the Caseyville
Formation (Pca)
#
94
!
#
95
!
Q
R
79
Mile 93.7:
Shale
Mile 94.8: Siltstone and shale
*
96
!
Alder
Creek
#
Alluvium (Qal):
Clay, silt, sand,
and gravel
!
!
102
!
*
*
*
27
!
(
!
100#
97
!
#
26
!
(
98
#!
99
!
Ptc
#
*
*
*
103
! *
*
259
105
!
Taylor
Fork
28
(
#!
McClure
Fork
Mile 104.8: Caseyville
Formation (Pca) over
Leitchfield Formation (Ml)
Geologic Map Index
#
101
S. Fork
Caney Cr.
Q
R
185
104
Q
R
!
#
#
!
#
106
187
Mile 102.8: Sandstone of the
Caseyville Formation (Pca)
Grayson County
107
#
29
!
(
Mile 105.4: Sandstone lies above shale in the Pennsylvanian Caseyville Formation (Pca); contains heavy oil.
Mile 101.0: The Mississippian Kinkaid Limestone, Degonia
Sandstone, and Clore Limestone (Mkc) overlies an unnamed
coal bed and shale in the Buffalo Wallow Formation (Mbw).
DU
Ml
28
27
Mh
*
Mbw
O25 Spring Lick
O26 Caneyville
O27 Leitchfield
Mile 100.1: Sandstone over shale
in the Caseyville Formation (Pca)
30
V !
U
(
2766
Mile 96.6–97.9: Sandstone and shale
in the Caseyville Formation (Pca).
Major tar sand resources are present in
the Big Clifty Sandstone Member of the
Golconda Formation (Mgb), Hardinsburg
Sandstone (Mh), Tar Springs Sandstone
(Mts), and Caseyville Formation (Pca)
south of the parkway in Grayson, Butler,
Edmonson, and Warren Counties. Inplace resources are calculated to be in
excess of 3 million barrels. Photo by
Randy Bruner, Marathon Oil. Used with
permission.
26
Mile 98.8: Sandstone, coal, siltstone, and shale in
the Tradewater and Caseyville Formations (Ptc).
29
Mile 106.4: Interbedded limestone, shale, and siltstone in the Leitchfield Formation (Ml).
*
!
Q
R
259
Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 107.2–122.0
15
Mile 120.3: Contact between coarse-grained
limestone of the Haney Limestone Member
(Mgh) and crossbedded sandstone of the Big
Clifty Sandstone Member (Mgb), both of the
Golconda Formation
Mr
Mile 117.4, 117.8–118.2:
Hardinsburg Sandstone
(Mh)
31
Mile 109.3: Big Clifty Sandstone Member of
the Golconda Formation (Mgb). Rainwater
percolates down cracks in the sandstone to
feed evergreens clinging to the rock.
The low winter pool along Rough River Lake in Grayson County reveals the
Big Clifty Sandstone Member of the Golconda Formation (Mgb) along the
shore.
N28 Big Clifty
N29 Summit
O27 Leitchfield
O28 Clarkson
Mile 115.8: Haney Limestone Member of the
Golconda Formation (Mgh).
V
U
1214
Mile 110.0–110.8: Shaly
limestone of the Glen
Dean Limestone (Mgd)
Mg
109
#
D
# #
Ml
108
!
U
D
Ptc
Mile 107.5: Glen
Dean Limestone
(Mgd)
Q
R
88
#D
111
#!
U
#
U
D
113
Mgd
112
!
D
U
!
D
#
114
!
!
D
U
U
Grayson
County
Mgb
Hardin
County
Mbp
Mgc
U
Mile 116.9:
Hardinsburg
Sandstone
(Mh)
116
!
!
# #
Msg
#
!
#
33
!
(
115
#
D
117
#!
D
Mile 113.4: Fine-grained
Hardinsburg Sandstone
(Mh)
118
#
#
#
32
(
#!
120
121
#!
34
!
(
U
Mgh
Clifty
Creek
34
Mile 120.5–120.9: Big Clifty Sandstone Member
of the Golconda Formation (Mgb). Vertical oil
stains are evidence of heavy oil in the Big Clifty,
which has been mined nearby for asphalt.
Mh
Q
R
224
U
!#
110
31 #
!
(
!DU
*
62
£
¤
#
D
U
Mile 114.8: Hardinsburg
Sandstone (Mh) over Haney
Limestone Member of the
Golconda Formation (Mgh)
Mile 111.3:
Greenish-gray
shale of the
Leitchfield
Formation (Ml)
33
Mile 108.2: Contact
between greenishgray shale of the
Leitchfield Formation (Ml) and shaly
limestone of the
Glen Dean Limestone (Mgd)
Mile 115.1: Haney Limestone
Member (Mgh) over Big Clifty
Sandstone Member (Mgb),
both of the Golconda Formation
#
Q
R
Mile 116.2: Haney Limestone Member of the Golconda Formation (Mgh)
!
(
!
720
Mile 116.7: Contact between Hardinsburg
Sandstone (Mh) and Haney Limestone
Member of the Golconda Formation (Mgh)
Geologic Map Index
#
35
119
D
Msa
U
D
U
D
Helm
Qal Fork
Mile 108.0: Easterly change
in landscape to an upland
area of thick residual soils,
characteristic of the
Mississippian Plateaus
Mile 114.8, 115.2: Cedar
trees grow where the top
of coarse-grained limestone of the Haney Limestone Member of the Golconda Formation (Mgh)
meets fine-grained sandstone of the bottom of the
Hardinsburg Sandstone
(Mh).
Mh
Mgh
35
32
Mile 121.6: Beaver Bend Limestone, Mooretown Formation,
and Paoli Limestone (Mbp).
122
!
Geology Along the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway: Mile 122.0–136.8
16
31W
£
¤
136
!
Q
R
567
135
!
§
¦
¨
65
V
U
1136
Q
R
61
#
134
!
Much of Hardin County obtains water from limestone
springs. White Mills Spring, just south of the parkway
on Ky. 84, provides water to the Hardin County Water
District No. 2. Photo by Jack Stickney, Kentucky
Rural Water Association. Used with permission.
V
U
1904
37
133
Mile 128.4: Oolitic Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Msg).
West
Rhudes
Creek
131
!
!
Mile 136.8: End of parkway
Mile 134.3: Weathered clay
and chert of the St. Louis
Limestone (Msl)
132
!
Valley
Creek
Hardin County
130
#
!
Alluvium (Qal): Silt,
clay, sand, gravel
129
!
V
U
124
!
!#
123
!#
Q
R
84
Mile 123.1: Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Msg)
!
Mbp
D
U #
D
125
!
(
Msg
127
A limestone quarry 1 mile north of the parkway off Ky.
222 produces construction aggregate and agricultural
lime from the Ste. Genevieve (Msg) and St. Louis
(Msl) Limestones. Photo by Jack Stickney, Kentucky
Rural Water Association. Used with permission.
#
Mile 122.1: The landscape changes from
a sandstone-capped upper plateau, down
an escarpment, onto a sinkhole plain
or lower plateau. This is the boundary
of the Dripping Springs Escarpment.
Msa
128
!
1375
Mile 124.5: Medium-grained, partly oolitic Ste.
Genevieve Limestone (Msg) is mined for use as
agricultural lime and construction aggregate.
Msg
36#
#
37
!
(
Msl
36
Q
R
222
!
Msl
126
#
!
Nolin
River
Mile 125.6, 126.0,
126.7: Ste. Genevieve
Limestone (Msg)
37
Mile 128.4: Karst terrain characteristic of the eastern end
of the parkway in Hardin County. The Mississippian Ste.
Genevieve (Msg) and St. Louis (Msl) Limestones underlie
a level to gently rolling landscape, dotted with sinkholes
and laced with underground caves and flow channels.
Geologic Map Index
M30 Cecilia
M31 Elizabethtown
N29 Summit
N30 Sonora