Geology and energy resources of Kentucky

Kentucky has four physiographic provinces: the Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Interior Lowlands, and the Mississippi Embayment. A geologic map of the State looks very, very similar to a physiographic map of Kentucky. The center is part of the Cincinnati Arch and is predominantly Ordovician in age, with limestones and shales with a few siltstones and dolomites. The Silurian age rock laps up onto the Cincinnati Arch. Next is the Devonian with shale, limestone, and dolomite. Then comes the western Kentucky coal basin. An east-west cross-section indicates a series of anticlines and synclines. The 38th Parallel lineament, east-west fault system, is very significant in Kentucky. The oil and gas, oil shale, tar sands, and coal in Kentucky were discussed. Eastern Kentucky is the principal gas-producing area of the state; Western Kentucky is the primary oil producer. Oil shale was being produced in Kentucky as early as 1866 from the New Albany black shale. Numerous tar sands occur in Kentucky. The greatest occurrence of tar sands is on the eastern portion of the Western Kentucky coal field. Kentucky's coal production is from Pennsylvanian-age rocks in both fields in eastern and western Kentucky. In eastern Kentucky there are approximately 45 mineable coalmore » seams which occur in six coal-producing areas. (DP)« less