Pope Mega Group facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pope Mega GroupStratigraphic range: Carboniferous |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Geological group |
| Sub-units |
|
| Overlies | Mammoth Cave Group |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Sandstone, Limestone, Shale |
| Location | |
| Region | Illinois Basin |
| Country | United States of America |
The Pope Mega Group is a huge set of rock layers found deep underground. You can find it in the Illinois Basin, which covers parts of southern Illinois, southwestern Indiana, and western Kentucky. In Indiana and Kentucky, this same group of rocks is also known as the Buffalo Wallow Group.
These rock layers change as you go from the bottom to the top. At the very bottom, you'll find mostly sandstone. As you move up, it becomes a mix of limestone and sandstone. Finally, at the very top, it turns into a type of rock called shale. Some of these rock layers, like the Tar Springs formation, are important because they hold oil!
Contents
- Exploring the Rock Layers
- Kinkaid Formation
- Tobinsport Formation
- Degonia Formation
- Clore Formation
- Palestine Formation
- Menard Formation
- Waltersburg Formation
- Vienna Formation
- Tar Springs Formation
- Glen Dean Formation
- Hardinsburg Formation
- Haney Formation
- Fraileys Formation
- Beech Creek Formation
- Cypress Formation
- Ridenhower Formation
- Bethel Formation
- Energy Production
Exploring the Rock Layers
Geologists study these rock layers to understand Earth's history. Each layer, called a formation, tells us about the environment long ago. The Pope Mega Group formed during the Carboniferous Period. This was a time when Earth had vast forests and swamps.
Kinkaid Formation
The Kinkaid Formation, sometimes called the Kinkaid Limestone, is made up of several smaller rock layers. It can be anywhere from 0 to 230 feet thick. At its very top is the Grove Church Shale. Below that are layers like the Goreville Limestone, Cave Hill Shale, and Negli Creek Limestone.
Tobinsport Formation
This formation in Illinois has four main parts. These parts are connected to other rock layers in the upper Pope Group. They include the Negli Creek Limestone, Mt. Pleasant Sandstone, Bristow Sandstone, and Siberia Limestone. The Siberia layer is a thin part of the Menard formation.
Degonia Formation
This rock layer is mostly sandstone. It can be between 0 and 150 feet thick.
Clore Formation
The Clore Formation is another rock unit that varies in thickness, from 0 to 150 feet. It includes the Ford Station Limestone, Tygett Sandstone, and Cora Limestone layers.
Palestine Formation
This layer is made of sandstone. It can be found in thicknesses from 0 to 120 feet.
Menard Formation
The Menard Limestone is an important rock layer in the Illinois Basin. It stretches across southern Illinois, southwestern Indiana, and western Kentucky. Two of its specific parts, the Walche Limestone Member and the Scottsburg Limestone Member, were first studied in a railway cut called Walche's Cut.
Waltersburg Formation
This rock formation can be anywhere from 0 to 100 feet thick.
Vienna Formation
The Vienna Formation is a limestone layer. It ranges from 0 to 60 feet thick.
Tar Springs Formation
The Tar Springs Formation is a sandstone layer that can be up to 150 feet thick. It's special because it has layers of sandstone mixed with layers of shale. This mix creates natural "traps" or "reservoirs" that hold oil. Because of this, the Tar Springs Formation has produced more oil than any other rock layer in Illinois. It's estimated to have provided over 60% of the state's oil!
Glen Dean Formation
The Glen Dean Formation is a rock layer found in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. It contains fossils from the Carboniferous Period. These fossils help scientists learn about ancient life.
Hardinsburg Formation
The Hardinsburg Formation is another rock layer in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. It also holds fossils from the Carboniferous Period.
Haney Formation
The Haney Formation is a rock layer in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. It preserves fossils that date back to the Carboniferous Period.
Fraileys Formation
The Fraileys Formation, also known as the Fraileys Shale, is a rock layer in Illinois. It contains fossils from the Carboniferous Period.
Beech Creek Formation
The Beech Creek Formation is a rock layer found in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. It also contains fossils from the Carboniferous Period.
Cypress Formation
The Cypress Formation is a rock layer in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. It preserves fossils from the Carboniferous Period.
Ridenhower Formation
The Ridenhower Formation is a rock layer in Illinois. It contains fossils from the Carboniferous Period. This formation includes smaller layers like the Reelsville Member, Sample Member, and Beaver Bend Member.
Bethel Formation
The Bethel Formation is a rock layer found in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. It preserves fossils from the Carboniferous Period.
Energy Production
