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Mineral Resources > Online Spatial Data > Geology > by state > West Virginia Geology

Geologic units in Nicholas county, West Virginia

Conemaugh Group (Pennsylvanian) at surface, covers 3 % of this area

Conemaugh Group - cyclic sequences of red and gray shale, siltstone, and sandstone, with thin limestones and coals. Mostly non-marine. May be divided into Casselman and Glenshaw Formations. Extends from the base of the Pittsburgh coal to the top of the Upper Freeport coal. Includes the Elk Lick, Bakerstown, and Mahoning coals, and the Ames and Brush Creek Limestones.

Lithology: shale; siltstone; sandstone; limestone; coal

New River Formation (Pennsylvanian) at surface, covers 31 % of this area

New River Formation (part of Pottsville Group) - predominantly sandstone, with some shale, siltstone, and coal. Grades to nearly all sandstone in the subsurface. Extends from the top of the Upper Nuttall Sandstone to the top of the Flattop Mountain Sandstone. Includes the Iaeger, Sewell, Welch, Raleigh, Beckley, Fire Creek, and Pocahontas Nos. 8 and 9 coals.

Lithology: sandstone; shale; siltstone; coal

Kanawha Formation (Pennsylvanian) at surface, covers 48 % of this area

Kanawha Formation (part of Pottsville Group) - sandstone (approx 50%), shale, siltstone, and coal. Contains several marine zones. Becomes more shaly westward in the subsurface. Extends from the top of the Homewood Sandstone to the top of the Upper Nuttall Sandstone. Includes the Stockton (Mercer), Coalburg, Winifrede, Chilton, Williamson, Cedar Grove, Alma, Peerless, Campbell Creek, Powellton, Eagle, Gilbert, and Douglas coals.

Lithology: sandstone; shale; siltstone; coal

Hinton Formation (Mississippian) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Hinton Formation (part of Mauch Chunk Group) - red, green, and medium-gray shale and sandstone, with a few thin limestone beds, including the Avis.

Lithology: shale; sandstone; limestone

Allegheny Formation (Pennsylvanian) at surface, covers 17 % of this area

Allegheny Formation - cyclic sequences of sandstone, siltstone, shale, limestone, and coal. Includes the Freeport, Kittanning and Clarion coals, also, the Princess coals of Kentucky . Extends from the top of the Upper Freeport coal to the top of the Homewood Sandstone.

Lithology: sandstone; siltstone; shale; limestone; coal

Bluestone and Princeton Formations (Mississippian) at surface, covers 0.3 % of this area

Bluestone and Princeton Formations (part of Mauch Chunk Group) - the Bluestone Formation is mostly red, green, and medium-gray shale and sandstone; Princeton Sandstone is underneath.

Lithology: shale; sandstone