Geologic cross section A–A′ through the Appalachian basin from the southern margin of the Ontario Lowlands province, Genesee County, western New York, to the Valley and Ridge province, Lycoming County, north-central Pennsylvania

Abstract

Introduction Geologic cross section A–A′ is the fifth in a series of cross sections constructed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to document and improve understand­ing of the geologic framework and petroleum systems of the Appalachian basin. Cross section A–A′ provides a regional view of the structural and stratigraphic frame­work of the Appalachian basin from the southern mar­gin of the Ontario Lowlands province in western New York, across the Allegheny Plateau province of central New York and north-central Pennsylvania, to the Valley and Ridge province in north-central Pennsylvania, a dis­tance of approximately 176 miles. This cross section is a companion to cross sections E–E′, D–D′, C–C′ , and I–I′ that are located approximately 100 to 500 miles to the southwest. Cross section A–A′ complements earlier geologic or strati­graphic cross sections through the central New York and north-central Pennsylvania part of the Appalachian basin. Although some of these other cross sections show more structural and stratigraphic detail, they are of more limited extent geographically and stratigraphically. Cross section A–A′ contains much information that is useful for evaluating energy resources in the Appalachian basin. Although the Appalachian basin petroleum systems are not shown on the cross section, many of their key elements (such as source rocks, reservoir rocks, seals, and traps) can be inferred from lithologic units, unconformities, and geologic structures shown on the cross section. Important oil- and gas-bearing formations like the Oriskany Sandstone, Medina Group sandstones, Tuscarora Sandstone, and the Marcellus and Utica Shales are present on cross-section A–A′ .