Stratigraphic Nomenclature

The KGS Stratigraphic Nomenclature Committee addresses stratigraphic issues and establishes formally accepted stratigraphic nomenclature for Kansas.

The KGS Stratigraphic Nomenclature Committee's work is based on three key principles:

Since publication of Zeller's work, the KGS Stratigraphic Nomenclature Committee has investigated the Carboniferous-Permian boundary issue in Kansas; reviewed Permian stratigraphy; revised the rank of the Mississippian, Pennsylvanian, and Carboniferous; and examined Ogallala Formation and Neogene ("Tertiary") stratigraphy and nomenclature. 

The results of the committee's work are peer-reviewed and published in KGS online journals: Midcontinent Geoscience (established in 2020) and  Current Research in Earth Sciences (1993–2018).

Published Revisions to Kansas Stratigraphy

Zarah Subgroup of the Kansas City Group (Pennsylvanian)

Oborny, S., Layzell, A., Ludvigson, G., and Hasiuk, F., 2022, Revision to nomenclature of the Zarah Subgroup of the Kansas City Group (Pennsylvanian) in Kansas: Midcontinent Geoscience, v. 3, p. 27-34. https://doi.org/10.17161/mg.v3i.18249

Abstract: This paper provides a summary review of proposed nomenclatural revisions to the Zarah Subgroup of the Kansas City Group (Pennsylvanian) in Kansas and outlines changes adopted by the Kansas Geological Survey. The Iola Limestone, which comprises in ascending order the Paola Limestone, Muncie Creek Shale, and Raytown Limestone Members, is now considered the basal formation of the Zarah Subgroup. We reinstate the overlying Liberty Memorial Shale as originally defined by Clair (1943) in the area of Kansas City, Missouri. We also restrict the Wyandotte Limestone to include only, in ascending order, the Frisbie Limestone, Quindaro Shale, and Argentine Limestone Members. Furthermore, the Lane Shale is restricted in use and encompasses all strata within the shale-dominated interval between the top of the Argentine Limestone Member of the Wyandotte Limestone and the base of the overlying Plattsburg Limestone. Within the revised Lane Shale, the KGS now formally recognizes, in ascending order, the Lower Farley Limestone, Middle Farley Shale, and Upper Farley Limestone Members. The Bonner Springs Shale is now demoted in rank and included as the uppermost member within the Lane Shale. 

Mississippian Stratigraphy

Franseen, E. K., Sawin, R. S., Watney, W. L., West, R. R., Layzell, A.L., Ludvigson, G. A., 2018, Mississippian stratigraphic nomenclature revisions in Kansas: Current Research in Earth Sciences, Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin 264. doi: https://doi.org/10.17161/cres.vi264.11772

Abstract: This paper reviews proposed Mississippian nomenclature changes in Kansas and outlines the changes to Zeller (1968) that have been adopted by the Kansas Geological Survey. The Sedalia Dolomite is changed to the Sedalia Formation and the Northview Shale is changed to Northview Formation due to lateral lithology changes. The Short Creek Oolite Member as originally defined and described by Smith and Siebenthal (1907) at the type section in Kansas is reinstated. The Cowley Formation as originally defined and described by Lee (1940) in Kansas is reinstated. The Ste. Genevieve Limestone is placed as the basal formation of the Chesteran Stage.

Quaternary Stratigraphy

Layzell, A. L., Sawin, R. S., Mandel, R. D., Ludvigson, G. A., Franseen, E. K., West, R. R., and Watney, W. L., 2017, Quaternary stratigraphy and stratigraphic nomenclature revisions in Kansas: Current Research in Earth Sciences, Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin 263, 6 p. https://doi.org/10.17161/cres.v0i263.11811

Abstract: This paper outlines Quaternary nomenclature changes to Zeller (1968) that have been adopted by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS). The KGS formally recognizes two series/epochs for the Quaternary: the Holocene and Pleistocene. Pleistocene stage/age names Kansan, Aftonian, Nebraskan, and Yarmouthian are abandoned and replaced with the broader term "pre-Illinoian." Formation names Bignell, Peoria, Gilman Canyon, and Loveland are maintained for loess units. Formation names for the following alluvial lithostratigraphic units are abandoned: Crete, Sappa, Grand Island, Fullerton, and Holdrege. The Severance Formation is adopted as a new lithostratigraphic unit for thick packages of late Pleistocene alluvium and colluvium in Kansas. The DeForest Formation is accepted as a valid lithostratigraphic unit for deposits of fine-grained Holocene alluvium in Kansas. Formation names Iowa Point, Nickerson, and Cedar Bluffs for glacial tills and Atchison and David City for glaciofluvial deposits are abandoned. The Afton and Yarmouth Soils are abandoned as pedostratigraphic units, whereas the Sangamon Geosol and Brady Geosol are maintained.

Carboniferous-Permian Boundary

Sawin, R. S., West, R. R., Franseen, E. K., Watney, W. L., and McCauley, J. R., 2006, Carboniferous-Permian boundary in Kansas, Midcontinent, U.S.A.: Current Research in Earth Sciences, Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin 252, part 2. https://doi.org/10.17161/cres.v0i252.11838

Abstract: The placement of the Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian)-Permian boundary in Kansas has been debated since the rocks of this age were first described and named. With the ratification of the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Permian System in the southern Ural Mountains, the Carboniferous-Permian boundary in Kansas can now be confidently defined. Based on the identification of the first occurrence of the conodont Streptognathodus isolatus that definitively correlates the Kansas rock section to the basal Permian GSSP, the Carboniferous-Permian boundary in Kansas can be placed at the base of the Bennett Shale Member of the Red Eagle Limestone.

The Kansas Geological Survey proposes that the Tuttle Creek Lake Spillway section, located in northeast Kansas, be considered for the Carboniferous-Permian boundary stratotype in Kansas. It is further suggested that the stratigraphic position of the Carboniferous-Permian boundary in the Tuttle Creek Lake Spillway section be considered as a potential North American stratotype.

In addition to being a significant biostratigraphic boundary, the Carboniferous-Permian boundary and enclosing strata also have significance because they reflect important geologic events and changes that occurred on a regional and global scale.

Permian Stratigraphy

Sawin, R. S., Franseen, E. K., West, R. R., Ludvigson, G. A., and Watney, W. L., 2008, Clarification and changes in Permian stratigraphic nomenclature in Kansas: Current Research in Earth Sciences, Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin 254, part 2. https://doi.org/10.17161/cres.v0i254.11839

Abstract: This paper outlines Permian nomenclature changes to Zeller (1968) that have been adopted by the Kansas Geological Survey. The Permian System/Period, Cisuralian Series/Epoch, and Asselian Stage/Age are established at the base of the Bennett Shale Member of the Red Eagle Limestone. Series/epoch names Wolfcampian, Leonardian, and Guadalupian are retained and usage of Gearyan, Cimarronian, and Custerian is abandoned. The repositioned Carboniferous-Permian boundary divides the Council Grove Group into Carboniferous (Upper Pennsylvanian Series/Epoch; Virgilian Stage/Age) and Permian (Wolfcampian Series/Epoch) segments.

Carboniferous

Sawin, R. S., Franseen, E. K., Watney, W. L., West, R. R., and Ludvigson, G. A., 2009, New stratigraphic rank for the Carboniferous, Mississippian, and Pennsylvanian in Kansas: Current Research in Earth Sciences, Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin 256, part 1. https://doi.org/10.17161/cres.v0i256.11846

Abstract: A new classification for the Carboniferous System/Period is formally adopted by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), and Zeller (1968) is modified accordingly. The Carboniferous is the system/period between the Devonian and Permian, and the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian are subsystems/subperiods of the Carboniferous. The Mississippian is subdivided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Mississippian Series and the Pennsylvanian is subdivided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Pennsylvanian Series. Regional stage names remain unchanged.

Ogallala/Neogene

Ludvigson, G. A., Sawin, R. S., Franseen, E. K., Watney, W. L., West, R. R., and Smith, J. J, 2009, A review of the stratigraphy of the Ogallala Formation and revision of Neogene ("Tertiary") nomenclature in Kansas: Current Research in Earth Sciences, Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin 256, part 2. https://doi.org/10.17161/cres.v0i256.11812

Abstract: The member names for the Ogallala Formation (including the Valentine, Ash Hollow, and Kimball) in Kansas of Zeller (1968) are abandoned. The Ogallala Formation in Kansas includes strata of Miocene and earliest Pliocene age, revising earlier correlation to the Pliocene only (Zeller, 1968). The Kansas Geological Survey is abandoning use of the term "Tertiary," to be replaced by the term "Neogene." International stage boundaries for the Neogene have not been established in Kansas.

Precambrian

Sawin, R. S., Franseen, E. K., Ludvigson, G. A., Watney, W. L., and West, R. R., 2013, Precambrian nomenclature in Kansas: Current Research in Earth Sciences, Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin 259, part 1. https://doi.org/10.17161/cres.v0i259.11840

Abstract: The informal stratigraphic term "Precambrian" is replaced by formal nomenclature--Proterozoic and Archean Eonothems/Eons--and the informal term Hadean. The Phanerozoic Eonothem/Eon, representing all rocks younger than the Proterozoic, is added. The Proterozoic is further divided into Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, and Neoproterozoic Erathems/Eras. The name Rice Formation (Scott, 1966) is abandoned, and the use of the informal term "Rice unit" is recommended. The proposed name Rice Series (Berendsen, 1994) is not accepted. These changes are adopted by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) and the stratigraphic nomenclature of Zeller (1968) has been revised accordingly.
 

Stratigraphic Issues Under Review

Pennsylvanian Subsystem

Cherokee Group