%0 Book Section %B Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %D 2023 %T Dedication: To Dr. Lawrence (Larry) V. Rickard %A C. A. Ver Straeten %E C. A. Ver Straeten %E Over, D. J. %E Woodrow, D. %B Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %I Paleontological Research Institute %C Ithaca, New York %V 403-404 %G eng %U https://www.priweb.org/devonian-ny/ %R 10.32857/bap.2023.403.02 %0 Book %B Bulletins of American Paleontology %D 2023 %T Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A Over, D. J. %A Woodrow, D. %X
The Devonian strata in New York State were the standard section for North America for over 100 years, and remain a significant reference for regional to global correlation and research. Since publication of L. V. Rickard’s (1975) New York Devonian correlation chart, various higher-resolution stratigraphic analyses have been employed, sometimes at bed-by-bed scale. These include sequence-, bio-, event-, chemo-, and other -stratigraphic approaches, along with increasingly finer-resolution geochronologic dating of airfall volcanic tephras. Results have led to many new interpretations and insights of the succession. The purpose of this three-volume work is to produce a new Devonian stratigraphic synthesis for New York State, and to record, often in detail, current knowledge of the succession, and various other geologic and paleontologic aspects of it for current and future research and discussion. The purpose of this chapter is to provide overviews of the Devonian Period, the Devonian of North America (“Laurentia”), the Devonian of eastern Laurentia, and the Devonian of New York State. Furthermore, this review extends beyond the sedimentary rock and paleobiological record, and beyond the United States, Canada, and northern Mexico, to also summarize aspects of Devonian orogenesis, metasedimentary foreland basin fill, silicic igneous activity, complexities of terranes of Mexico and Central America, and Appalachian faunas that extended into South America.
The Devonian Period as a whole encompasses 60 million years of time, approximately 419 to 359 million years ago. During that time, shallow seas covered large continental areas; climate was warmer globally than our current climate, during the late stage of a global greenhouse climate. By the end of the Devonian, that warm climate was descending into a time of global icehouse conditions, with widespread glaciation. The positions of modern continental masses were much different. During the Devonian Period, Life first fully colonized the land, led by primitive spore-bearing plants, small arthropods, and apparently by the Middle Devonian, the first tetrapod (“four-legged”) animals, which evolved from bony fishes. Decimeter-tall plants at the beginning of the period had evolved to tree-size forms by the Middle Devonian, approximately 30 million years later, and Earth’s first forest ecosystems arose.
Devonian strata are widespread around the ancient continent “Laurentia,” which approximately corresponds to modern North America). At that time, Laurentia straddled the equator, with New York State and the Appalachian region somewhat north of 30° south latitude. Shallow epicontinental seas covered large but varying amounts of the continent over the period. Mountain belts formed on the eastern, northern, and western margins of Laurentia, due to plate tectonic collisions with smaller continental masses, exotic terranes, and volcanic island arcs. Through the Early to Middle Devonian, seas in western and eastern Laurentia were separated by a “transcontinental arch,” and generally had distinctly different marine faunas. In the latest Middle Devonian, sea level transgressed over the land barrier of the Laurentian Transcontinental Arch and the Canadian Shield, and those marine faunas mixed, leading to a more global cosmopolitan fauna in the Late Devonian. Anomalously, however, Early and Middle Devonian Laurentian shallow marine faunas are found in Devonian rocks in Central and South America, which were part of the southern Gondwana continent, generally thought to be separated from Laurentia by oceanic water depths at that time.
During the Devonian, eastern Laurentia was an active tectonic margin, related to continent-continent collisions with various terranes/smaller continental masses. The Caledonian, Acadian, and Neoacadian orogenies resulted in compressional and some transpressional tectonics, and the uplift of an extensive mountain belt from east Greenland to Alabama and Georgia. Crustal loading of the orogen in eastern Laurentia led to subsidence and formation of a retroarc Acadian-Neoacadian Foreland Basin, which was initially filled with marine waters, followed by gradual overfilling to above sea level by massive volumes of synorogenic sediments from the east. The resulting lands were the site of some of the earliest forests on Earth, preserved at several sites in New York State, and forest ecosystems. Large-scale deformation, seismic activity, and metamorphism in the mountain belt were accompanied by igneous processes, including explosive eruption of felsic volcanic ash and other material, collectively termed “tephra,” also sometimes termed ash or tuff layers, or if diagenetically altered, sometimes termed bentonite, K-bentonite, metabentonite, or tonstein layers. These explosive Devonian eruptions sent volcanic tephra high into the atmosphere, and easterly winds spread airfall volcanic “tephra layers” across the eastern United States. Meanwhile, rock decay in the mountains led to the erosion, transport, and deposition of massive volumes of clays, silt, sand, and gravel into the Acadian-Neoacadian Foreland Basin, and beyond.
Devonian rocks in New York are found at or just below the surface across approximately 40% of the state (~50,500 km²/19,500 mi²). The strata are generally undeformed and gently dipping, and while often covered by soil, glacial sediments, and vegetative cover, are relatively widely found in natural and man-made exposures. Three relatively thin intervals of carbonates are accompanied by eastward thickening wedges of synorogenic mudrocks, sandstones, and minor conglomerates. The history of geological and paleontological observation and study in New York began in the late 18th century. The first professional geologists appeared in the early 19th century. Since the advent of the first geological survey of New York State in 1836, the Devonian Period (nearly termed the “Erian Period” for New York’s Devonian-age rocks) has been the focus of a great volume of research which continues today.
The Devonian succession in New York includes strata from all seven stages of the period, with erosional gaps of small to major significance. In addition to a range of marine facies, nearly one quarter of the entire area of Devonian bedrock in the state was deposited in terrestrial settings, with massive volumes of siliciclastic sediments shed off of Acadian-Neoacadian highlands to the east, that also feature the fossils of Earth’s oldest known forest ecosystems. The stratigraphic philosophy in New York has long evolved toward a hybrid classification, wherein groups, formations, and bed-level units are largely time-rock/allostratigraphic to occasionally chronostratigraphic, with lithostratigraphy often ascribed to member-level divisions (e.g., Pragian to Givetian strata, middle Lower to upper Middle Devonian). However, in some intervals, such as Frasnian strata (lower Upper Devonian), group-level units are time-rock units, and formation-level units within groups are largely lithostratigraphic.
Forty-eight years of research since Rickard’s (1975) New York Devonian correlation chart permits development of a new, more refined chart (forthcoming), and also permits a new synthesis of Devonian rocks and fossils in New York, presented in this work of twelve chapters, with additional digital appendices.
%B Bulletins of American Paleontology %I Paleontological Research Institute %C Ithaca, New York %V 403-404 %G eng %U https://www.priweb.org/devonian-ny/ %0 Book %B Bulletins of American Paleontology %D 2023 %T Devonian of New York, Volume 2: Lower to upper Givetian (Middle Devonian) stage %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A Over, D. J. %A Woodrow, D. %B Bulletins of American Paleontology %I Paleontological Research Institute %C Ithaca, New York %V 405-406 %G eng %U https://www.priweb.org/devonian-ny/ %0 Book %B Bulletins of American Paleontology %D 2023 %T Devonian of New York, Volume 3: Frasnian to Famennian (Upper Devonian) stages and the Devonian terrestrial system in New York %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A Over, D. J. %A Woodrow, D. %B Bulletins of American Paleontology %I Paleontological Research Institute %C Ithaca, New York %V 407-408 %G eng %U https://www.priweb.org/devonian-ny/ %0 Book Section %B Devonian of New York,Volume 3: Frasnian to Famennian (Upper Devonian) stages and the Devonian terrestrial system in New York %D 2023 %T The Devonian terrestrial system of New York %A C. A. Ver Straeten %E C. A. Ver Straeten %E Over, D. J. %E Woodrow, D. %XLate 18th to early 19th century reports on the rocks of the Catskill Mountains in eastern New York were followed by over 180 years of geological and paleobiological studies of the Devonian terrestrial succession, in the state and up and down eastern North America. Yet, nearly 230 years later these estimated ca. 2.4 km- (1.5 mi-) thick, homogenous strata remain a largely unknown frontier in many ways.
Studies of Devonian terrestrial strata in New York over the last century include two different stratigraphic frameworks. The first, by George Chadwick (1930s–1940s), focused on the Catskill Front to the vicinity of Slide Mountain, highest peak in the Catskills. The second, by Fletcher and Rickard in the 1960s to mid-1970s, attempted to create a broader, more geographically inclusive chronostratigraphic nomenclature throughout the entire Catskills outcrop belt. Recent work indicates that in the field this latter model, based on thick lithosomes of red and gray rocks and conglomerates, is problematic. It can be seen as representing a “second draft” stratigraphic framework, in need of additional work and refinement. At this time, however, too little is known as to how to better ground the existing stratigraphy, or to propose a sound alternate stratigraphic framework for the Catskills succession.
Other major foci in the Devonian terrestrial of New York include paleobotany (1950s–today), petrography (1960s–1980s), fluvial systems (1970s–1990s), and terrestrial arthropods (1980s–2000s). Broader paleobiological studies, in part associated with the Red Hill site in northern Pennsylvania, burgeoned in the 1990s and continue today. Recent Catskills terrestrial research of impact is perhaps largely paleobiological and includes the first complete Eospermatopteris (“Gilboa”) tree, mapping of wellpreserved forest floors, and increasing research on paleosols.
Difficulties in research of Devonian terrestrial strata in New York include: the lateral discontinuity of terrestrial facies and the lack of documented, distinctive marker beds for correlation; little biostratigraphic and geochronologic control; extensive cover in sometimes rugged terrain; too few researchers, and a need for greater cross-disciplinary perspectives and communication.
The purpose of recent and ongoing research by the author is multifold. First to systematically gather various data, such as event deposits, petrography, detrital zircon dating, and palynological biostratigraphy, top to bottom through the succession, initially in the classic Catskill Front to the vicinity of Slide Mountain, in the New York State Department of Conservation “Slide Mountain Wilderness” of the Catskill Park. Second within that succession, to better document depositional history, provenance, and biostratigraphy, and to know the succession more closely. Through this, the larger goal is to test the existing stratigraphic framework and try to ground that stratigraphy in the regional rock record better, or to develop a new stratigraphic framework.
Key issues that remain largely unresolved in Devonian terrestrial strata of New York include: lack of a well-tested, viable, and correlatable stratigraphic framework; a general lack of chronostratigraphic data from palynological/microvertebrate biostratigraphy and radiometric ages from altered air fall volcanic tephra beds; and no systematic documentation of the vertical Catskill succession. Other future studies could include lateral, interstate/province comparisons of variations in provenance/drainage evolution along the Acadian (Acadian-Neoacadian) Foreland Basin and its subbasin known as the Appalachian Basin, via petrography, detrital mineral dating and other methods.
%B Devonian of New York,Volume 3: Frasnian to Famennian (Upper Devonian) stages and the Devonian terrestrial system in New York %S Bulletins of American Paleontology %I Paleontological Research Institute %C Ithaca, New York %P 211–330 %G eng %U https://www.priweb.org/devonian-ny/ %& 5 %R 10.32857/bap.2023.407.05 %0 Book Section %B Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %D 2023 %T An introduction to the Devonian Period and the Devonian in New York State and North America %A C. A. Ver Straeten %E C. A. Ver Straeten %E Over, D. J. %E Woodrow, D. %XThe Devonian strata in New York State were the standard section for North America for over 100 years, and remain a significant reference for regional to global correlation and research. Since publication of L. V. Rickard’s (1975) New York Devonian correlation chart, various higher-resolution stratigraphic analyses have been employed, sometimes at bed-by-bed scale. These include sequence-, bio-, event-, chemo-, and other -stratigraphic approaches, along with increasingly finer-resolution geochronologic dating of airfall volcanic tephras. Results have led to many new interpretations and insights of the succession. The purpose of this three-volume work is to produce a new Devonian stratigraphic synthesis for New York State, and to record, often in detail, current knowledge of the succession, and various other geologic and paleontologic aspects of it for current and future research and discussion. The purpose of this chapter is to provide overviews of the Devonian Period, the Devonian of North America (“Laurentia”), the Devonian of eastern Laurentia, and the Devonian of New York State. Furthermore, this review extends beyond the sedimentary rock and paleobiological record, and beyond the United States, Canada, and northern Mexico, to also summarize aspects of Devonian orogenesis, metasedimentary foreland basin fill, silicic igneous activity, complexities of terranes of Mexico and Central America, and Appalachian faunas that extended into South America.
The Devonian Period as a whole encompasses 60 million years of time, approximately 419 to 359 million years ago. During that time, shallow seas covered large continental areas; climate was warmer globally than our current climate, during the late stage of a global greenhouse climate. By the end of the Devonian, that warm climate was descending into a time of global icehouse conditions, with widespread glaciation. The positions of modern continental masses were much different. During the Devonian Period, Life first fully colonized the land, led by primitive spore-bearing plants, small arthropods, and apparently by the Middle Devonian, the first tetrapod (“four-legged”) animals, which evolved from bony fishes. Decimeter-tall plants at the beginning of the period had evolved to tree-size forms by the Middle Devonian, approximately 30 million years later, and Earth’s first forest ecosystems arose.
Devonian strata are widespread around the ancient continent “Laurentia,” which approximately corresponds to modern North America). At that time, Laurentia straddled the equator, with New York State and the Appalachian region somewhat north of 30° south latitude. Shallow epicontinental seas covered large but varying amounts of the continent over the period. Mountain belts formed on the eastern, northern, and western margins of Laurentia, due to plate tectonic collisions with smaller continental masses, exotic terranes, and volcanic island arcs. Through the Early to Middle Devonian, seas in western and eastern Laurentia were separated by a “transcontinental arch,” and generally had distinctly different marine faunas. In the latest Middle Devonian, sea level transgressed over the land barrier of the Laurentian Transcontinental Arch and the Canadian Shield, and those marine faunas mixed, leading to a more global cosmopolitan fauna in the Late Devonian. Anomalously, however, Early and Middle Devonian Laurentian shallow marine faunas are found in Devonian rocks in Central and South America, which were part of the southern Gondwana continent, generally thought to be separated from Laurentia by oceanic water depths at that time.
During the Devonian, eastern Laurentia was an active tectonic margin, related to continent-continent collisions with various terranes/smaller continental masses. The Caledonian, Acadian, and Neoacadian orogenies resulted in compressional and some transpressional tectonics, and the uplift of an extensive mountain belt from east Greenland to Alabama and Georgia. Crustal loading of the orogen in eastern Laurentia led to subsidence and formation of a retroarc Acadian-Neoacadian Foreland Basin, which was initially filled with marine waters, followed by gradual overfilling to above sea level by massive volumes of synorogenic sediments from the east. The resulting lands were the site of some of the earliest forests on Earth, preserved at several sites in New York State, and forest ecosystems. Large-scale deformation, seismic activity, and metamorphism in the mountain belt were accompanied by igneous processes, including explosive eruption of felsic volcanic ash and other material, collectively termed “tephra,” also sometimes termed ash or tuff layers, or if diagenetically altered, sometimes termed bentonite, K-bentonite, metabentonite, or tonstein layers. These explosive Devonian eruptions sent volcanic tephra high into the atmosphere, and easterly winds spread airfall volcanic “tephra layers” across the eastern United States. Meanwhile, rock decay in the mountains led to the erosion, transport, and deposition of massive volumes of clays, silt, sand, and gravel into the Acadian-Neoacadian Foreland Basin, and beyond.
Devonian rocks in New York are found at or just below the surface across approximately 40% of the state (~50,500 km²/19,500 mi²). The strata are generally undeformed and gently dipping, and while often covered by soil, glacial sediments, and vegetative cover, are relatively widely found in natural and man-made exposures. Three relatively thin intervals of carbonates are accompanied by eastward thickening wedges of synorogenic mudrocks, sandstones, and minor conglomerates. The history of geological and paleontological observation and study in New York began in the late 18th century. The first professional geologists appeared in the early 19th century. Since the advent of the first geological survey of New York State in 1836, the Devonian Period (nearly termed the “Erian Period” for New York’s Devonian-age rocks) has been the focus of a great volume of research which continues today.
The Devonian succession in New York includes strata from all seven stages of the period, with erosional gaps of small to major significance. In addition to a range of marine facies, nearly one quarter of the entire area of Devonian bedrock in the state was deposited in terrestrial settings, with massive volumes of siliciclastic sediments shed off of Acadian-Neoacadian highlands to the east, that also feature the fossils of Earth’s oldest known forest ecosystems. The stratigraphic philosophy in New York has long evolved toward a hybrid classification, wherein groups, formations, and bed-level units are largely time-rock/allostratigraphic to occasionally chronostratigraphic, with lithostratigraphy often ascribed to member-level divisions (e.g., Pragian to Givetian strata, middle Lower to upper Middle Devonian). However, in some intervals, such as Frasnian strata (lower Upper Devonian), group-level units are time-rock units, and formation-level units within groups are largely lithostratigraphic.
Forty-eight years of research since Rickard’s (1975) New York Devonian correlation chart permits development of a new, more refined chart (forthcoming), and also permits a new synthesis of Devonian rocks and fossils in New York, presented in this work of twelve chapters, with additional digital appendices.
%B Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %I Paleontological Research Institute %C Ithaca, New York %G eng %U https://www.priweb.org/devonian-ny/ %& 1 %R 10.32857/bap.2023.403.03 %0 Book Section %B Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %D 2023 %T Lower Middle Devonian (Eifelian–lower Givetian) strata of New York State: The Onondaga Formation and Marcellus Subgroup %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A Brett, C. E. %A Baird, G. E. %A Bartholomew, A. J. %A Over, D. J. %E C. A. Ver Straeten %E Over, D. J. %E Woodrow, D. %XLower Middle Devonian strata (Eifelian to lower Givetian stages) of New York are identified under the names Onondaga and Marcellus. As has been New York practice for over 80 years, they represent time-significant allostratigraphic units, which to some degree cut across lithologic boundaries. The Onondaga Formation is a relatively tabular, limestone-dominated unit throughout New York. Strata thin from both east and west into more basinward facies in the central part of the state. In contrast, the (revised) “Marcellus subgroup” forms an eastward-thickening and coarsening wedge of siliciclastic-dominated facies. Marcellus-equivalent strata range in thickness from less than seven meters in the western New York subsurface to an estimated maximum thickness of 580 meters in the Hudson Valley, eastern New York.
Few stratigraphic revisions have been proposed for the Onondaga Formation since 1975, beyond minor revisions to two members associated with the abandonment of the informal, former Clarence member, chert-rich facies in western New York. In contrast, the term “Marcellus” has been raised in New York State from formation to subgroup status, with three formation-level units: a lower Union Springs and coeval upper Marcellus Oatka Creek and Mount Marion formations. The latter two represent correlative basinal dark shales and proximal dark shales to shoreface sandstones, respectively. Overall, following Cooper’s classic 1930s stratigraphy of one formation with 11 members, 13 members are now recognized in the Marcellus subgroup; two in the Union Springs Formation and 11 in the upper Marcellus Oatka Creek and Mount Marion succession.
Onondaga and Marcellus strata form three third-order depositional sequences, which feature three very distinct faunas. The sequences, termed Devonian Sequences Ic, Id, and Ie (alternatively Eif-1, Eif-2, and Eif-Giv) consist, respectively of 1) lower to middle Onondaga; 2) upper Onondaga and Union Springs; and 3) coeval Oatka Creek and Mount Marion formations, except where upper Mount Marion strata are not yet clearly distinguished form lower Skaneateles equivalents in eastern New York. The fossil assemblages of the Eifelian to lower Givetian have been subdivided into three “faunas” or ecological-evolutionary subunits. The oldest of the three faunas, the Onondaga Fauna, is succeeded by the Stony Hollow Fauna in shallow facies of the upper Union Springs and lowermost Mount Marion-Oatka Creek formations. The Stony Hollow Fauna is, in turn, succeeded by the classic Middle Devonian Hamilton Fauna throughout the remainder of upper Marcellus strata and Hamilton strata above.
Numerous post-1970 studies have examined the stratigraphy, petrology, sedimentology, basin analyses, paleobiology, and geochemical characters of the Onondaga Formation and Marcellus subgroup. Overviews of these studies are presented herein. In the Appalachian Basin, the correlatives of these units across have been assigned the same names, Onondaga and Marcellus, in eastern Pennsylvania. More argillaceous Onondaga-correlative strata form the upper part of the Needmore Formation from central Pennsylvania to the vicinity of Highland and Pocahontas counties, in Virginia and West Virginia, respectively (Selinsgrove to the informal “calcareous shale and limestone” members). Continuing southwest along the Virginia-West Virginia border, Onondagacorrelative strata are replaced by chert and shale-dominated strata in the upper part of the Huntersville Formation.
South of New York in the Appalachian Basin, the term “Marcellus” is applied lithostratigraphically, not allostratigraphically, so that lowest strata assigned the term Marcellus may variously range from lower Eifelian (middle Onondaga-equivalent, e.g., Frankstown, Pennsylvania) to correlative with the base of the Marcellus in New York. Similarly, youngest strata assigned to the Marcellus in Pennsylvania and southward may range from upper Eifelian Union Springs-equivalent (below proximal sandstones of the Turkey Ridge Member, central Pennsylvania) to lower Givetian, post-Marcellus black shales correlative with at least the Skaneateles Formation of New York in distal, basinward areas. From Highland County, Virginia, and adjacent West Virginia to the southwest, Marcellus strata are assigned to the lower part of the Millboro Shale, Finally, in southwestern Virginia and adjacent West Virginia, strata termed Marcellus in New York occur in lower parts of an interval sometimes termed “New Albany Shale” but shown by their correlation to be equivalent to upper Onondaga or lower Marcellus strata, based upon airfall volcanic tephras.
%B Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %S Bulletins of American Paleontology %I Paleontological Research Institute %C Ithaca, New York %P 205–280 %G eng %U https://www.priweb.org/devonian-ny/ %& 4 %R 10.32857/bap.2023.403.06 %0 Book Section %B Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %D 2023 %T The Port Jervis, Oriskany, Esopus, and Schoharie formations, and equivalents: Pragian and Emsian strata of New York %A C. A. Ver Straeten %E C. A. Ver Straeten %E Over, D. J. %E Woodrow, D. %XMiddle to upper Lower Devonian strata in New York are comprised of seven formations, in four distinct vertical packages. They were deposited over an interval of approximately 18.2 million years. The lowest strata (lower Pragian-age Port Jervis Limestone) occur only in the Tristates area, southeastern New York. Overlying upper Pragian-age units are the largely co-eval Oriskany Sandstone, Glenerie Cherty Limestone, and Connelly Conglomerate. Overlying synorogenic siliciclastics of the Esopus Formation (lower Emsian-age) are restricted to eastern to east-central New York. Overlying upper Emsian strata of the correlative Schoharie and Bois Blanc formations comprise mixed siliciclastic-carbonate and carbonate strata, respectively, with some quartz arenites, especially across central New York. These New York units, and their correlatives across the Appalachian Basin outcrop belt, areexamined and summarized.
In nearly all of New York, some to all of these strata are absent at an erosional unconformity. The Tristates area at the meeting of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania is the only area of the outcrop belt where deposition was continuous through this time. To the overall north and west, a major Paleozoic sea level lowstand Å} crustal flexure during the Acadian orogeny led to development of an amalgamated series of unconformities, focused around the sub-Oriskany Wallbridge Unconformity. Maximum development of the unconformity in New York occurs in the west-central part of the state. In terms of sequence stratigraphy, the entire succession comprises six or seven major, third-order sequences. This includes two likely Pragian sequences, and five distinct Emsian-age sequences, all of which appear to be global. A series of altered airfall volcanic tephras occur in the lower part of the Esopus Formation; a few additional discrete airfall tephras are known from the Schoharie Formation. Faunal differences distinguish the four vertical packages of strata. Too little biostratigraphic data, however, continues to limit the accuracy of pinpointing stage boundaries in the New York and Appalachian Basin strata.
%B Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %I Paleontological Research Institute %C Ithaca, New York %G eng %U https://www.priweb.org/devonian-ny/ %& 3 %R 10.32857/bap.2023.403.05 %0 Book Section %B Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %D 2023 %T Preface %A C. A. Ver Straeten %E C. A. Ver Straeten %E Over, D. J. %E Woodrow, D. %B Devonian of New York, Volume 1: Introduction and Přídolí to lower Givetian (Upper Silurian to Middle Devonian) stages %I Paleontological Research Institute %C Ithaca, New York %V 403-404 %P 1-5 %G eng %U https://www.priweb.org/devonian-ny/ %R 10.32857/bap.2023.403.01 %0 Journal Article %J The Bulletin: Journal of the New York State Archaeological Association %D 2020 %T A Final Report on Human Burials Associated with the General Hospital at Fort George and the Quebec Campaign of 1775-1776: Cortland Street, Lake George %A Vandrei, C. E. %A L. M. Anderson %A Weatherwax, J. %B The Bulletin: Journal of the New York State Archaeological Association %V 134 %P 40-48 %G eng %0 Book Section %B The Appalachian Geology of John M. Dennison: Rocks, People, and a Few Good Restaurants along the Way %D 2020 %T Arc-to-craton: Devonian air-fall tephras in the eastern United States %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A Over, D. J. %A Baird, G. C. %E Avary, K. L. %E Hassen, K. O. %E Diecchio, R. J. %XMore than 100 air-fall volcanic tephra beds are currently documented from Devonian strata in the eastern United States. These beds act as key sources of various geological data. These include within-basin to basin-to-basin correlation, globally useful geochronologic age dates, and a relatively detailed, if incomplete, record of Acadian–Neoacadian silicic volcanism. The tephras occur irregularly through the vertical Devonian succession, in clusters of several beds, or scattered as a few to single beds. In this contribution, their vertical and lateral distribution and recent radiometric dates are reviewed. Current unresolved issues include correlation of the classic Eifelian-age (lower Middle Devonian) Tioga tephras and dates related to the age of the Onondaga-Marcellus contact in the Appalachian Basin. Here, we used two approaches to examine the paleovolcanic record of Acadian–Neoacadian silicic magmatism and volcanism. Reexamination of volcanic phenocryst distribution maps from the Tioga tephras indicates not one but four or more volcanic sources along the orogen, between southeastern Pennsylvania and northern North Carolina. Finally, radiometric and relative ages of the sedimentary basin tephras are compared and contrasted with current radiometric ages of igneous rocks from New England. Despite data gaps and biases in both records, their comparisons provide insights into Devonian silicic igneous activity in the eastern United States, and into various issues of recognition, deposition, and preservation of tephras in the sedimentary rock record.
Holocene alluvial deposits are well represented in the Sny Bottom, a reach of the Mississippi River in western Illinois characterized by the presence of a long anabranch channel (the Sny). Prior to its engineered confinement, the flood-stage Mississippi functioned as an anastomosed system comprised of many secondary landscape elements hierarchically arranged to distribute water out across a broad floodplain. Radiocarbon-dated stratigraphic sequences are used to reconstruct the geological history of this river reach as it metamorphosed from a sandy Late Pleistocene braided floodplain into a system dominated by mud. By 7400 cal BP, the Mississippi migrated to its present position and began to build the natural levee it would use for the remainder of the Holocene. Major subsequent geomorphological adjustments to the system resulted from large floods at ca. 6900, 4900, 3300 and 2000 cal BP. Valley fill is a complex arrangement of individual sedimentary bodies that accumulated at highly variable rates. Vertical accretion by sedimentation and soil upbuilding acted together to preserve numerous buried archaeological sites of all ages.
%B Quaternary International %V 342 %P 114-138 %G eng %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2014.05.031 %R 10.1016/j.quaint.2014.05.031 %0 Journal Article %J Palaeontology %D 2013 %T Life Mode of In Situ Conularia in a Middle Devonian Epibole %A van Iten, H. %A V. P. Tollerton Jr. %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A Leme, J. DM %A Simos, M. G. %A Rodrigues, S. C. %K conulariids %K ecological epibole %K life mode %K Middle Devonian %K Mount Marion Formation %K obrution deposits %XAbstract: Exceptionally abundant specimens of Conularia aff. desiderata Hall occur in multiple marine obrution deposits, in a single sixth-order parasequence composed of argillaceous and silty very fine sandstone, in the Otsego Member of the Mount Marion Formation (Middle Devonian, Givetian) in eastern New York State, USA. Associated fossils consist mostly of rhynchonelliform brachiopods but also include bivalve molluscs, orthoconic nautiloids, linguliform brachiopods and gastropods. Many of the brachiopods, bivalve molluscs and conulariids have been buried in situ. Conulariids buried in situ are oriented with their aperture facing obliquely upward and with their long axis inclined at up to 87 degree to bedding. Most specimens are solitary, but some occur in V-like pairs or in radial clusters consisting of three specimens, with the component specimens being about equally long or (less frequently) substantially different in length. The compacted apical end of Conularia buried in situ generally rests upon argillaceous sandstone. With one possible exception, none of the examined specimens terminates in a schott (apical wall), and internal schotts appear to be absent. The apical ends of specimens in V-like pairs and radial clusters show no direct evidence of interconnection of their periderms. The apical, middle or apertural region of some inclined specimens abuts or is in close lateral proximity to a recumbent conulariid or to one or more spiriferid brachiopods, some of which have been buried in their original life orientation. The azimuthal bearings of Conularia and nautiloid long axes and the directions in which conulariids open are nonrandom, with conulariids being preferentially aligned between 350 and 50 degree and with their apertural end facing north-east, and nautiloids being preferentially aligned between 30 and 70 degree. Otsego Member Conularia were erect or semi-erect, epifaunal or partially infaunal animals, the apical end of which rested upon very fine bottom sediment. The origin of V-like pairs and radial clusters remains enigmatic, but it is probable that production of schotts was not a regular feature of this animal’s life history. Finally, conulariids and associated fauna were occasionally smothered by distal storm deposits, under the influence of relatively weak bottom currents.
The Devonian-age bedrock of the Catskill Mountains has been the focus of many studies. This paper reviews the character and composition of the rocks of the Catskills, and examines weathering (rock decay) processes and their implications in the Catskills. Rocks of the Catskills and closest foothills consist of siliciclastic rocks (sandstones, mudrocks, conglomerates) with minimal, locally dispersed carbonate rocks. The former are dominated by quartz, metamorphic and sedimentary rock fragments, and clay minerals. Other minor sediment components include cements, authigenic and heavy minerals, and fossil organic matter. Physical, chemical, and biological weathering of the Catskill bedrock since uplift of the Appalachian region, combined with glaciation, have dissected a plateau of nearly horizontally layered rocks into a series of ridges, valleys, and peaks. The varied weathering processes, in conjunction with many factors (natural and anthropogenic), fragment the rocks, forming sediment and releasing various elements and compounds. These may have positive, neutral, or negative implications for the region's soils, waters, ecology, and human usage. A new generation of studies and analyses of the Catskill bedrock is needed to help answer a broad set of questions and problems across various fields of interest.
Delineation of stratigraphic sequences and their component systems tracts in mudrock-dominated facies is generally difficult due to the relatively homogenous, fine-grained nature of the strata. In this study, we apply a multi-proxy analytical approach to a thick Devonian mudrock-dominated succession through detailed analysis of sedimentologic, paleobiologic, and geochemical data through 600 m of mudrock-rich facies. Varied combinations of proxies prove to be most useful in delineating sequence development in anoxic-, dysoxic-, and oxic-dominated mudrock settings, and in mixed mudrock–carbonate and mixed mudrock–sandstone successions. These interpretations are tested against an established sequence stratigraphic framework for 11 Middle to Upper Devonian (mid-Eifelian to lower Famennian) sequences in the Appalachian Basin. The sequences presented here further detail and refine global Devonian T–R cycles Id to IIe of the well known Johnson, Sandberg and Klapper sea-level curve.
The usefulness of proxies in delineating depositional sequences and systems tracts varies dependent on depositional, paleoceanographic, paleoecologic, and early diagenetic conditions. Those proxies that show a range of variations in specific settings, such as grain size, degree of bioturbation, and concentrations of TOC and elements/elemental ratios (e.g., CaCO3, Al, Ti, Mg, Sc, Si, Mo, Ni, V; Si/Al and Ti/Al) may help delineate depositional dynamics related to redox conditions, condensation, dilution, and clastic, biologic, and/or authigenic sediment sources.
In fine-grained, anoxic-dominated facies, interpreted to represent basinal settings, sequences and systems tracts are best delineated by anoxic-related proxies TOC and Mo. In intermediate, dysoxic-dominated settings, TOC, Mo, bioturbation, and Al remain effective indicators of sequence development. In relatively oxygenated, mudrock-rich and carbonate poor sequences, bioturbation may function as the most effective proxy for recognizing systems tracts.
For mixed fine-grained siliciclastic–carbonate successions, concentration and type of CaCO3 (e.g., benthic macroskeletal, pelagic styliolinid/dacryoconarid, and micritic/calcisilt) are useful in identifying position within cycles. In more proximal, carbonate-poor successions, fine- and coarse-grained fractions become increasingly differentiated; these can be distinguished by relatively high Si/Al ratios (Si/Al ≥ ca. 5).
Elemental ratios indicative of coarser clastic input (e.g., Si/Al, Zr/Al and Ti/Al) are applicable to identifying position with a sequence, but they may also be affected by input from eolian, volcanogenic, or biogenic sources. In addition, fluxes of siliciclastic, carbonate, and TOC sediment types may dilute the concentration of the others. Multiple lines of evidence should be examined in interpreting relative depth and position within a sequence.
%B Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology %V 304 %P 54-73 %G eng %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.10.010 %R 10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.10.010 %0 Journal Article %J Genome Research %D 2011 %T A Genome-wide Perspective on the Evolutionary History of Enigmatic Wolf-like Canids %A vonHoldt, B. M. %A Pollinger, J. P. %A Earl, D. A. %A Knowles, J. C. %A Boyko, A. R. %A Parker, H. %A Geffen, E. %A Pilot, M. %A Jedrzejewski, W. %A Jedrzejewska, B. %A Sidorovich, V. %A Greco, C. %A Randi, E. %A Musiani, M. %A R. W. Kays %A Bustamante, C. D. %A Ostrander, E. A. %A Novembre, J. %A Wayne, R. K. %K Evolutionary divergence %K Genotyping %K Interspecific hybridization %K Wolve-like canids %XHigh-throughput genotyping technologies developed for model species can potentially increase the resolution of demographic history and ancestry in wild relatives. We use a SNP genotyping microarray developed for the domestic dog to assay variation in over 48K loci in wolf-like species worldwide. Despite the high mobility of these large carnivores, we find distinct hierarchical population units within gray wolves and coyotes that correspond with geographic and ecologic differences among populations. Further, we test controversial theories about the ancestry of the Great Lakes wolf and red wolf using an analysis of haplotype blocks across all 38 canid autosomes. We find that these enigmatic canids are highly admixed varieties derived from gray wolves and coyotes, respectively. This divergent genomic history suggests that they do not have a shared recent ancestry as proposed by previous researchers. Interspecific hybridization, as well as the process of evolutionary divergence, may be responsible for the observed phenotypic distinction of both forms. Such admixture complicates decisions regarding endangered species restoration and protection.
%B Genome Research %V 21 %P 1294-1305 %G eng %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gr.116301.110 %R 10.1101/gr.116301.110 %0 Map %D 2010 %T Bedrock Geology of the Westerlo Quadrangle, New York %A C. A. Ver Straeten %B Map & Chart Series %7 70 %I New York State Museum %C Albany, New York %G eng %U http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/file/2835/ %0 Book Section %B From Rodinia to Pangea: The Lithotectonic Record of the Appalachian Region %D 2010 %T Lessons from the Foreland Basin: Northern Appalachian Basin Perspectives on the Acadian Orogeny %A C. A. Ver Straeten %E Tollo, R. P. %E Bartholomew, M. J. %E Hibbard, J. P. %E Karabinos, P. M. %K Acadian orogenesis %K Devonian %K Foreland basin rocks %K New York %K northern Appalachian Basin %K Upper Silurian %XForeland basin rocks of the northern Appalachian basin in New York and adjacent areas contain a significant Upper Silurian to Devonian record of Acadian orogenesis. Sediment composition, stratal geometry, stratigraphic anomalies, and distribution of volcanic air-fall tephras through time and space provide insights into patterns of tectonism and quiescence, uplift and unroofing, tectonically induced basin flexure, and explosive volcanism in the orogenic belt. Herein, I combine a literature review and new data to examine several aspects of the foreland basin fill and their implications. Established models of Acadian-related impacts on the foreland, including tectophase development, are tested against a more refined high-resolution stratigraphy. Some sedimentary patterns are cyclic; others evolve through time. Initial study of synorogenic conglomerates across 40 m.y. of sedimentation sketches an unroofing history of the orogen. Stratigraphic anomalies delineate a flexural history interpreted directly from the rock record: topographic features in the foredeep migrate toward the craton in tectonically active intervals and toward the orogen during quiescent intervals. In addition, the forebulge undergoes cyclic uplift and leveling. These results differ from predictions in existing models of foreland basin kinematics. Preserved air-fall tephras reflect a history of explosive volcanism along the orogen. Comparisons of igneous rocks from the foreland and orogen portray a larger picture of Lower Emsian magmatism. Finally, I summarize the chronology of foreland basin signatures of orogenesis. Data and interpretations presented here should be compared with the record of Acadian orogenesis from the mountain belt in order to better determine causation and outline a more detailed synthesis of the Acadian orogeny.
%B From Rodinia to Pangea: The Lithotectonic Record of the Appalachian Region %S Memoir %I Geological Society of America %C Boulder, Colorado %P 251-282 %G eng %U http://memoirs.gsapubs.org/content/206/251.abstract %R 10.1130/2010.1206(12) %0 Magazine Article %D 2009 %T Berne Earthquakes %A C. A. Ver Straeten %K geology %B Friends of Thacher and Thompsons Lake State Parks Newsletter %P 1 %G eng %0 Report %D 2009 %T The Classic Devonian of the Catskill Front: A Foreland Basin Record of Acadian Orogenesis %A C. A. Ver Straeten %E Vollmer, F. %K geology %B 81st Annual Meeting Guidebook %C Albany, New York %P 7-1 to 7-54 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Palaeontographica Americana %D 2009 %T Devonian T-R cycle IB: the 'Lumping' of Emsian Sea Level History %A C. A. Ver Straeten %K geology %B Palaeontographica Americana %V 63 %P 33-48 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Edentata %D 2009 %T Evidence for Three-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) Predation by Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata) %A Voirin, J. B. %A R. W. Kays %A Lowman, M. D. %A M. Wikelski %K BCI %K Panama %K predation %K radio-telemetry %K risk behavior %K sloth %XWe detected the nighttime death of a radio-collared three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus) with an automated radio telemetry system in a Panamanian moist forest. Forensic evidence collected at the fresh carcass, including five pairs of zygodactyl puncture wounds, and the consumption of only soft tissue, suggests that the predator was a large owl, probably Pulsatrix perspicillata. Telemetry data, feces in the sloths' rectum, and old sloth feces at the base of the tree near the carcass suggest that the sloth was descending to the ground to defecate when it was killed. If correct, this is the first record of P. perspicillata killing such a large prey, highlighting the importance of crypsis, and not self-defense, as sloths' anti-predator strategy. This event also suggests there are high risks for sloths climbing to the ground to defecate, a puzzling behavior with no clear evolutionary advantage discovered yet.
%B Edentata %V 8-10 %P 15-20 %G eng %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1896/020.010.0113 %R 10.1896/020.010.0113 %0 Magazine Article %D 2008 %T Perch Lake's Enigmatic Mounds %A Van Nest, J. %K anthropology %B Legacy: The Magazine of the New York State Museum %V 4 %P 14-15 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Review of Palaeobotany & Palynology %D 2008 %T Earth's Oldest Liverworts--Metzgeriothallus sharonae sp. nov. from the Middle Devonian (Givetian) of Eastern New York %A L. VanAller Hernick %A E. Landing %A Bartowski, K. E. %K liverworts; taphonomy; preservation; Devonian; New York; Metzgeriothallus sharonae n. sp %XLiverworts are generally regarded as rare elements in Palaeozoic floral assemblages. However, a focus on dark gray to black shales and siltstones in the Middle–Late Devonian Catskill Delta of eastern New York shows that liverworts are locally quite common as well-preserved, apparently parautochthonous specimens in thin, lenticular, dark gray–black shale and siltstone lenses. These lenses are either dysoxic–anoxic lacustrine or estuarine facies deposited under oxygen-stratified water masses or rapidly deposited flood plain deposits that were not oxidized after deposition. Carbonized remains of the upper Middle Devonian (Givetian) liverwort Metzgeriothallus sharonae sp. nov. are locally common in these lenses. Well-preserved thalli (gametophytes) are only evident by projecting polarized light on the shale and siltstone surfaces. An associated sporophyte capsule is the first evidence of a reproductive structure in a Devonian liverwort. Metzgeriothallus sharonae sp. nov. is the oldest known liverwort. The age of the new species helps recalibrate chloroplast DNA studies that have led to proposals of the timing of liverwort diversification by showing that the evolutionary separations of the Jungermanniopsida and Marchantiopsida and of the Metzgeriidae and Jungermanniidae [previously thought to be Late Devonian and Late Carboniferous, respectively] were no younger than late Middle Devonian.
%B Review of Palaeobotany & Palynology %V 148 %P 154-162 %G eng %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.revpalbo.2007.09.002 %R 10.1016/j.revpalbo.2007.09.002 %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Geology %D 2008 %T Volcanic Tephra Bed Formation and Condensation Processes: A Review and Examination from Devonian Stratigraphic Sequences %A C. A. Ver Straeten %K geology %B Journal of Geology %V 116 %P 545-557 %G eng %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/591991 %0 Journal Article %J Earth Sciences History %D 2007 %T Where was Ebenezer Emmons' House? %A L. VanAller Hernick %K Ebenezr Emmon %K geology %B Earth Sciences History %V 26 %P 173-174 %G eng %U http://dx.doi.org/10.17704/eshi.26.1.q460m1967ht43814 %R 10.17704/eshi.26.1.q460m1967ht43814 %0 Book Section %B Devonian Events and Correlations %D 2007 %T Basinwide Stratigraphic Synthesis and Sequence Stratigraphy, Upper Pragian, Emsian and Eifelian Stages (Lower to Middle Devonian), Appalachian Basin %A C. A. Ver Straeten %E Becker, R.T. %E Kirchgasser, W.T. %K earliest Givetian %K eastern Laurentia %K faunal turnover %K late Eifelian %K Middle Devonian %XThe late Eifelian–earliest Givetian interval (Middle Devonian) represents a time of significant faunal turnover in the eastern Laurentia and globally. A synthesis of biostratigraphic, K-bentonite and sequence stratigraphic data indicates that physical and biotic events in the Appalachian foreland basin sections in New York are coeval with the predominantly carbonate platform sections of southern Ontario and Ohio. The upper Eifelian (australis to ensensis conodont zones) Marcellus Subgroup in New York comprises two large-scale (3rd-order) composite depositional sequences dominated by black shale, which are here assigned to the Union Springs and Oatka Creek Formations. The succession includes portions of three distinctive benthic faunas or ecological–evolutionary sub-units (EESUs): ‘Onondaga’, ‘Stony Hollow’ and ‘Hamilton’. In the northern Appalachian Basin in New York, the boundaries of these bioevents show evidence of abrupt, widespread extinctions, immigration and ecological restructuring. In the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario and from central to northern Ohio, the same sequence stratigraphic pattern and bioevents are recognized in coeval, carbonate-dominated facies.
The correlations underscore a relatively simple pattern of two major sequences and four subsequences that can be recognized throughout much of eastern Laurentia. Moreover, the biotic changes appear to be synchronous across the foreland basin and adjacent cratonic platform. However, the degree of change differs substantially, being less pronounced in carbonatedominated mid-continent sections. Finally, we make the case that the two major faunal changes align with regional sequence stratigraphic patterns as well as with the global Kačák bioevents.
%B Devonian Events and Correlations %S Special Publications %I The Geological Society of London %P 39-81 %G eng %U http://sp.lyellcollection.org/content/278/1/83.short %R 10.1144/SP278.4 %0 Journal Article %J Legacy: The Magazine of the New York State Museum %D 2007 %T Rock of Deep Ages %A C. A. Ver Straeten %K geology paleontology %B Legacy: The Magazine of the New York State Museum %V 3 %P 10-11 %G eng %0 Book Section %B Recreating Hopewell %D 2006 %T Rediscovering This Earth: Some Ethnogeological Aspects of the Illinois Valley Hopewell Mounds %A Van Nest, J. %E Charles, D. K. %E Buikstra, J. E. %K anthropology %B Recreating Hopewell %I University Press of Florida %C Gainesville, Florida %P 402-426 %G eng %0 Magazine Article %D 2006 %T Gebhards of Schoharie Were Geological Pioneers %A L. VanAller Hernick %K geology %B Schoharie County Historical Review %V 70 %P 17-22 %G eng %0 Magazine Article %D 2006 %T A Look Back: Remembering State Paleontologist Winifred Goldring %A L. VanAller Hernick %K geology history paleontology %B Legacy: The Magazine of the New York State Museum %V 2 %P 5 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Northeastern Geology and Environmental Science %D 2006 %T Pragian to Eifelian Strata (Mid Lower to Lower Middle Devonian), Northern Appalachian Basin -- A Stratigraphic Revision %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A C. Brett %K geology %B Northeastern Geology and Environmental Science %V 28 %P 80-95 %G eng %0 Magazine Article %D 2005 %T A Look Back: James Hall 1811-1898 %A L. VanAller Hernick %K history paleontology %B Legacy: The Magazine of the New York State Museum %V 1 %P 6 %G eng %0 Report %D 2005 %T Devonian Stratigraphy and K-bentonites in the Cherry Valley-Schoharie Valley Region %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A Ebert, J.R. %A Bartholomew, L.J. %A Benedict, L.J. %A Matterson, D.K. %A Shaw, G.H. %E Rodbell, D.T. %K geology %B Fieldtrip Guidebook %P D-1 to D-57 %G eng %0 Magazine Article %D 2004 %T Introduction to the Perch Lake Mounds %A Van Nest, J. %K anthropology %B Bulletin Jefferson County Historical Society %V 33 %P 8-10 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Geoarchaeology %D 2004 %T Review of "The Sheguiandah Site: Archaeological, Geological and Paleobotanical Studies at a Paleoindian Site on Manitoulin Island, Ontario", edited by P.J. Julig %A Van Nest, J. %K anthropology %B Geoarchaeology %V 19 %P 179-181 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Geological Society of America Bulletin %D 2004 %T K-bentonites, Volcanic Ash Preservation, and Implications for Lower to Middle Devonian Volcanism in the Acadian Orogen, Eastern North America %A C. A. Ver Straeten %K Acadian Orogeny %K Devonian %K K-bentonites %K marine processes %K Preservation %XLower to Middle Devonian marine strata in the Appalachian foreland basin feature up to 80 or more thin K-bentonites that represent ancient volcanic ashes. The time vs. space distribution of K-bentonites through the Lochkovian to Eifelian Stages (representing ∼30 m.y.) shows a distinct pattern of clustered multiple beds, several scattered beds, and thick intervals with no K-bentonites. Four clusters of 7 to 15 individual, closely spaced layers occur in the middle Lochkovian (Bald Hill K-bentonites, Kalkberg–New Scotland Formations), late Pragian or early Emsian (Sprout Brook K-bentonites, Esopus Formation) and early Eifelian (two clusters, the Tioga middle coarse zone and Tioga A–G K-bentonites, Onondaga Formation).
Detailed examination of these Devonian K-bentonites shows that in many cases they do not represent a single eruption. Multilayered beds, fossil layers within beds, authigenic minerals (e.g., glauconite and phosphate nodules), subjacent hardgrounds, and an irregular distribution of beds through space and time raise questions about the depositional history and preservation potential of volcanic ash in marine environments and the degree to which the beds represent a primary record of volcanism. These and other lines of evidence indicate that postdepositional physical, biological, and geochemical processes (e.g., sedimentation rate, event, and background physical processes, burrowing) have modified the primary record of these water-laid ash-fall events. These factors may lead to preservation of primary ash deposits or to their resedimentation and/or partial to complete mixing with background sediments.
The preservation potential, and resulting distribution, of the Devonian K-bentonites can be analyzed across a spectrum of preservational magnafacies. In this paper I present a model of ash preservation; the model incorporates environmentally related physical, biological, and chemical processes active in epicontinental seas and marine foreland basins. Conclusions based on the model indicate that the middle Lochkovian, early Emsian, and early Eifelian were times of peak volcanic activity in eastern North America, related to times of increased tectonism in the Acadian orogen.
%B Geological Society of America Bulletin %V 116 %P 474-489 %G eng %U http://gsabulletin.gsapubs.org/content/116/3-4/474.short %R 10.1130/B25244.1 %0 Journal Article %J Northeastern Geology and Environmental Science %D 2004 %T Sprout Brook K-bentonites: New Interval of Devonian (Early Emsian?) K-bentonites in Eastern North America %A C. A. Ver Straeten %K geology %B Northeastern Geology and Environmental Science %V 26 %P 298-305 %G eng %0 Magazine Article %D 2004 %T Volcanism in Eastern North America: A "Deep Time" Perspective %A C. A. Ver Straeten %K geology %B Members Update %V 15 %P 7-8 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Earth Sciences History %D 2003 %T Edwin Bradford Hall: Devonian Sponge Collector Extraordinaire %A L. VanAller Hernick %K geology history paleontology %B Earth Sciences History %V 22 %P 209-218 %G eng %U https://doi.org/10.17704/eshi.22.2.t4m3388558qr2226 %R 10.17704/eshi.22.2.t4m3388558qr2226 %0 Book %B New York State Museum Circular %D 2003 %T The Gilboa Fossils %A L. VanAller Hernick %K paleontology %XThe Devonian Period was an interval of dramatic change in the history of life on Earth. Much of the evidence for what is known about terrestrial life during this period in North America has come from some extraordinary fossil discoveries made in Gilboa, New York over the past 150 years. The abundance and often superb preservation of fossils from Gilboa have made this area one of the most important Devonian fossil localities in the world! The Gilboa Fossils is a history of the famous forest fossil site from its discovery in the mid-nineteenth century to the present. Topics include the Devonian flora and fauna found at this locality, and the role of the New York State Museum in disseminating knowledge about this important site.
%B New York State Museum Circular %I The University of the State of New York %C Albany, New York %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Kaatskill Life %D 2003 %T Northfield Tunnel's Ancient Life %A L. VanAller Hernick %A Mannolini, S. %K geology paleontology %B Kaatskill Life %V 18 %P 32-35 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Geoarchaeology %D 2002 %T The Good Earthworm: How Natural Processes Preserve Upland Archaic Archaeological Sites of Western Illinois, U.S.A %A Van Nest, J. %K Archaic period %K biomantles %K stone zones %K upland loess deposits %XIn western Illinois, many soil profiles developed into upland loess deposits (Peoria Silt) contain Archaic period artifacts greater than 3500 yr B.P. in stone zones below plow level. For artifacts in prairie and prairie-forest transition soils (not forest soils), depth distribution curves suggest they were buried in biomantles by small soil fauna. Artifacts of sizes archaeologists routinely collect generally move down while retaining fine-scale horizontal integrity. The process results in stratigraphic separation of Archaic and Woodland period components that otherwise would commingle at the surface. The characteristic distribution of known upland sites, narrowly rimming stream valley headwaters, reflects incomplete burial of materials on steeper forested slopes. On adjacent gently sloping upper shoulder segments of valleys where grassy cover more strongly influences soil development (and by inference on broad level uplands where true prairie soils occur), Archaic artifacts will be buried in the biomantle and go undetected by surface surveyors. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Explaining prehistoric mound development requires both anthropological and geoarchaeological perspectives. Illinois Hopewell (Middle Woodland) mounds are remarkable for the range of earthen materials used in their construction. Adding to this variety we document the presence of upturned sod blocks in a mound at the Mound House site. There and at other Illinois sites the sods have dark, 3-10-cm-thick A horizons with minimal or no evidence of B horizon development They required no more than a few decades to form and did so under a grass cover. Humans probably created the conditions that enabled sods to form, but the sod blocks were not cut from soils adjacent to the mounds (unless from another mound surface nearby) or from soils in habitation areas. In some respects, sod blocks would have been a superior earthen building material, appropriately chosen, for instance, to construct stable, near-vertical walls of above-ground tombs. Their selection and use, however, cannot be explained solely according to principles of sound and efficient mound construction. We argue that sod blocks and other kinds of earth for Illinois Hopewell mounds surely had important symbolic dimensions in addition to their structural properties.
%B American Antiquity %V 66 %P 633-650 %G eng %U http://www.jstor.org/stable/2694177 %R 10.2307/2694177 %0 Report %D 2001 %T Event and Sequence Stratigraphy and a New Synthesis of the Lower to Middle Devonian, Eastern Pennsylvania and Adjacent Areas %A C. A. Ver Straeten %E Inners, J.D. %E Fleeger, G.M. %K geology %B Delaware Water Gap %P 35-53 %G eng %0 Report %D 2001 %T The Schoharie Formation in Eastern Pennsylvania %A C. A. Ver Straeten %E Inners, J.D. %E Fleeger, G.M. %K geology %B Delaware Water Gap %P 54-60 %G eng %0 Report %D 2001 %T Stop 7. East Stroudsburg Railroad Cut: Schoharie Formation and Onondaga Limestone - Stratigraphy and Structure %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A Inners, J.D. %A Epstein, J.B. %E Inners, J.D. %E Fleeger, G.M. %K geology %B Delaware Water Gap %P 219-230 %G eng %0 Report %D 2001 %T Stop 8. Fairway and U.S. 209 Shale Pit: Upper Onondaga Limestone, Union Springs Formation, and Basal Union Springs Decollement %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A Monteverde, D.H. %A Inners, J.D. %E Inners, J.D. %E Fleeger, G.M. %K geology %B Delaware Water Gap %P 232-243 %G eng %0 Book Section %B Archaeology of the Appalachian Highlands %D 2001 %T Adding Complexity to Late Archaic Research in the Northeast Appalachians %A Versaggi, N. %A Wurst, L. %A Madrigal, T. C. %A A. Lain %E Sullivan, L. P. %E Prezzano, S. C. %K anthropology %B Archaeology of the Appalachian Highlands %I University of Tennessee Press %C Knoxville, Tennessee %P 121-133 %G eng %U https://books.google.com/books?id=3rLK9tAUi0QC&lpg=PP1&dq=%22Archaeology%20of%20the%20Appalachian%20Highlands%22&pg=PA121#v=onepage&q=Lain&f=false %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Geology %D 2000 %T Bulge Migration and Pinnacle Reef Development, Devonian Appalachian Basin %A C. A. Ver Straeten %A C. Brett %K carbonate‐dominated strata %K Early Eifelian %K Late Emsian %K Lower to Middle Devonian %K northern Appalachian Basin %K stratigraphic analyses %XDetailed stratigraphic analyses of Late Emsian and Early Eifelian (Lower to Middle Devonian) carbonate‐dominated strata in the northern Appalachian Basin indicate anomalous, locally varying relative sea level changes and inversions of topography. The distribution of a major basal‐bounding unconformity, basinal pinnacle reefs, local absence of parasequences, and eastward migration of shallow marine carbonate lithofacies and related biofacies in the Onondaga Limestone and underlying strata mark the retrograde migration of an elongate, northeast‐southwest‐trending area of positive relief, bordered on its cratonward side by a similarly migrating basin of intermediate depth. These features are thought to represent the forebulge and back‐bulge basin of the Appalachian foreland basin system as it developed during a time of relative quiescence within the Acadian Orogeny. However, the relatively small size of the bulgelike feature (ca. 80–100‐km‐wide, 20–50‐m positive relief), its great distance from the probable deformation front (>400 km), and the lack of a well‐developed foredeep immediately adjacent to the bulgelike feature may indicate that it represents a smaller‐scale flexural high (“flexural welt”) superposed over the cratonward edge of the larger‐scale classical forebulge of the basin. Development of shallow‐water reefs on the crest of the bulge during sea level lowstand, followed by migration of the bulge and widespread transgression, permitted growth of economically significant pinnacle reefs in the deep basin center. Further subsurface reef exploration should concentrate along the projected position of the bulge during the basal Onondaga lowstand.
%B Journal of Geology %V 108 %P 339-352 %G eng %U http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/314402 %0 Journal Article %J Earth Sciences History %D 1999 %T Silas Watson Ford: A Major But Little-known Contributor to the Cambrian Paleontology of North America %A L. VanAller Hernick %K Cambrian paleontology %K history of science %K New York %K Silas Watson Ford %XSilas Watson Ford (1848-1895), telegrapher and paleontologist born in Glenville, New York, in 1848, made significant contributions to Cambrian paleontology from 1871 to 1888. The focus of his work was the allochthonous Taconic rock that lies east of the Hudson River in easternmost New York. His discovery of a ‘Primordial’ fauna in this region was instrumental in helping to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the age of this older portion of the Taconics. While most of his papers were published in the American Journal of Science, a series of seven papers on the ‘Silurian Age’ was published by the New York Tribune in 1879. For this work he was subsequently awarded an honorary master's degree by Union College.
Ford was hired by his contemporary, Charles Doolittle Walcott (1850-1927), to work for the U.S. Geological Survey from 1884 to 1885. Highly regarded by James Hall (1811-1898), James Dwight Dana (1813-1895), Joachim Barrande (1799-1883), and many other prominent geologists of the time, he was often consulted for his expertise in collecting and describing Cambrian-age fossils.
While Walcott's career continued to flourish, Ford faded into obscurity after 1888. Plagued by personal problems, he was forced to give up his personal library, his fossil collection, and finally, his career. He died in 1895 at the age of 47, with his passing virtually unnoticed by his professional colleagues.