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Mineral Resources > Online Spatial Data > Geology > by state > Wyoming Geology

Geologic units in Park county, Wyoming

[Additional scientific data in this geographic area]

Madison Limestone or Group (S) (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic | Carboniferous Mississippian-Early Mississippian-Middle(?) Mississippian-Late) at surface, covers 0.3 % of this area

MADISON LIMESTONE OR GROUP--Group includes Mission Canyon Limestone (blue-gray massive limestone and dolomite), underlain by Lodgepole Limestone (gray cherty limestone and dolomite).

Lithology: limestone; dolostone (dolomite)

Bighorn Dolomite (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic | Ordovician-Middle Ordovician-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

BIGHORN DOLOMITE--Light-gray massive siliceous dolomite in northern Yellowstone area. Gray massive cliff-forming siliceous dolomite and locally dolomitic limestone in Thrust belt and northern Wyoming.

Lithology: dolostone (dolomite)

Intrusive igneous rocks (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene) at surface, covers 0.7 % of this area

INTRUSIVE IGNEOUS ROCKS--Felsic and mafic igneous bodies; the larger are mainly felsic.

Lithology: plutonic rock (phaneritic)

Huckleberry Ridge Tuff of Yellowstone Group (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Pliocene) at surface, covers 0.5 % of this area

HUCKLEBERRY RIDGE TUFF OF YELLOWSTONE GROUP (AGE SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 2 Ma)--Lavender to gray-brown welded rhyolite tuff.

Lithology: rhyolite; tuff

Hell Creek formation (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic Cenozoic | Cretaceous-Late Tertiary | Paleocene) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Hell Creek formation: somber-gray sandstone and greenish shaly clay and mudstone containing dinosaur bones; a few thin lignite and subbituminous coal beds.

Lithology: sandstone; mudstone; coal

Sundance and Gypsum Spring Formations (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Jurassic-Middle Jurassic-Late) at surface, covers 0.2 % of this area

SUNDANCE (Js) AND GYPSUM SPRING FORMATIONS. SUNDANCE FORMATION--Greenish-gray glauconitic sandstone and shale, underlain by red and gray nonglauconitic sandstone and shale. GYPSUM SPRING FORMATION--Interbedded red shale, dolomite, and gypsum. In north Wyoming wedges out south in T. 39 N.

Lithology: sandstone; shale; dolostone (dolomite); evaporite

Willwood Formation (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene) at surface, covers 10 % of this area

WILLWOOD FORMATION--Variegated claystone, shale, and sandstone; some lenticular gold-bearing quartzite conglomerate.

Lithology: fine-grained mixed clastic; medium-grained mixed clastic; conglomerate

Cloverly, Morrison, and Sundance Formations (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Jurassic-Middle Jurassic-Late(?) Cretaceous-Early) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

CLOVERLY, MORRISON, AND SUNDANCE (Js) FORMATIONS. CLOVERLY FORMATION--Rusty sandstone at top, underlain by brightly variegated bentonitic claystone; chert-pebble conglomerate locally at base. MORRISON FORMATION--Dully variegated claystone, nodular limestone, and gray silty sandstone. In southern Yellowstone and Jackson Hole areas the presence of Morrison is questionable. SUNDANCE FORMATION--Greenish-gray glauconitic sandstone and shale, underlain by red and gray nonglauconitic sandstone and shale.

Lithology: fine-grained mixed clastic; medium-grained mixed clastic; limestone; mixed clastic/volcanic; conglomerate

Chugwater and Dinwoody Formations (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Triassic-Early Triassic-Middle(?) Triassic-Late) at surface, covers 0.3 % of this area

CHUGWATER AND DINWOODY FORMATIONS. CHUGWATER FORMATION--Red siltstone and shale. Alcova Limestone Member in upper middle part. Thin gypsum partings near base. DINWOODY FORMATION--Olive-drab hard dolomitic thin-bedded siltstone.

Lithology: mudstone; limestone; evaporite

Lance Formation (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers 1.0 % of this area

LANCE FORMATION north Wyoming--Thick-bedded buff sandstone and drab to green shale; thin conglomerate lenses; south and northeast Wyoming--Brown and gray sandstone and shale; thin coal and carbonaceous shale beds.

Lithology: sandstone; shale; conglomerate; coal

Absaroka Volcanic Supergroup: Sunlight Group (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene) at surface, covers 0.5 % of this area

ABSAROKA VOLCANIC SUPERGROUP: SUNLIGHT GROUP--including Trout Peak Trachyandesite, Wapiti Formation (andesitic volcaniclastic rocks), Crescent Hill Basalt, and Mount Wallace Formation (felsic and mafic volcaniclastic rocks).

Lithology: intermediate volcanic rock; basalt; felsic volcanic rock

Colorado shale (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Early Cretaceous-Middle(?) Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Colorado shale: dark-gray shale and siltstone with many concretions and sandy units. Includes equivalents of Fall River, Skull Creek, Newcastle, Mowry, Belle Fourche, Greenhorn, Carlile, and Niobrara formations, and locally Telegraph Creek formation. In the less well-known areas beds of other ages may have been included.

Lithology: fine-grained mixed clastic

Tatman Formatin (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene) at surface, covers 0.5 % of this area

TATMAN FORMATION--Drab nontuffaceous claystone, oil shale, lignite, and sandstone.

Lithology: fine-grained mixed clastic; oil shale; coal

Cloverly, Morrison, Sundance, and Gypsum Spring Formations (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Jurassic-Middle Jurassic-Late(?) Cretaceous-Early) at surface, covers 0.2 % of this area

CLOVERLY, MORRISON, AND SUNDANCE (Js), AND GYPSUM SPRING FORMATIONS. CLOVERLY FORMATION--Rusty sandstone at top, underlain by brightly variegated bentonitic claystone; chert-pebble conglomerate locally at base. MORRISON FORMATION--Dully variegated claystone, nodular limestone, and gray silty sandstone. In southern Yellowstone and Jackson Hole areas the presence of Morrison is questionable. SUNDANCE FORMATION--Greenish-gray glauconitic sandstone and shale, underlain by red and gray nonglauconitic sandstone and shale. GYPSUM SPRING FORMATION--Interbedded red shale, dolomite, and gypsum. In north Wyoming wedges out south in T. 39 N.

Lithology: fine-grained mixed clastic; medium-grained mixed clastic; carbonate; mixed clastic/volcanic; conglomerate; dolostone (dolomite); evaporite

Phosphoria, Wells, and Amsden Formations (TB), Phosphoria Formation and related rocks, Quadrant Sandstone, and Amsden Formation (Y), or Phosphoria Formation and related rocks, Tensleep Sandstone, and Amsden Formation (N) (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic | Carboniferous Mississippian-Late Pennsylvanian(?) Permian) at surface, covers 0.1 % of this area

PHOSPHORIA, WELLS, AND AMSDEN FORMATIONS (Thrust Belt). PHOSPHORIA FORMATION--Upper part is dark- to light-gray chert and shale with black shale and phosphorite at top; lower part is black shale, phosphorite, and cherty dolomite. WELLS FORMATION--Gray limestone interbedded with yellow limy sandstone. AMSDEN FORMATION--Red and gray cherty limestone and shale, sandstone, and conglomerate. PHOSPHORIA FORMATION AND RELATED ROCKS, QUADRANT SANDSTONE, AND AMSDEN FORMATION (Yellowstone). PHOSPHORIA FORMATION AND RELATED ROCKS--Brown sandstone and dolomite, cherty phosphatic and glauconitic dolomite, phosphatic sandstone and dolomite, and greenish-gray to black shale. Intertonguing equivalent is Shedhorn Sandstone. QUADRANT SANDSTONE--Light-gray sandstone. AMSDEN FORMATION--Red and green dolomitic shale, siltstone, and sandstone. PHOSPHORIA FORMATION AND RELATED ROCKS, TENSLEEP SANDSTONE, AND AMSDEN FORMATION (north Wyoming). PHOSPHORIA FORMATION AND RELATED ROCKS--Brown sandstone and dolomite, cherty phosphatic and glauconitic dolomite, phosphatic sandstone and dolomite, and greenish-gray to black shale. Intertonguing equivalents of parts of Phosphoria are Park City Formation (primarlily cherty dolomite, limestone, and phosphatic gray shale) and Shedhorn Sandstone. TENSLEEP SANDSTONE--White to gray sandstone containing thin limestone and dolomite beds. Permian fossils have been found in the topmost beds of the Tensleep at some localities in Washakie Range, Owl Creek Mountains, and southern Bighorn Mountains. AMSDEN FORMATION--Red and green shale and dolomite; at base is brown sandstone.

Lithology: sandstone; limestone; shale; dolostone (dolomite); phosphorite; siltstone; chert; conglomerate

Granite gneiss (Archean) at surface, covers 0.3 % of this area

GRANITE GNEISS (AGE 2,600 TO 3,100+ Ma)--Layered to massive, locally migmatitic; metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks locally common. Includes Webb Canyon Gneiss in Teton Range.

Lithology: granitic gneiss

Absaroka Volcanic Supergroup: Thoroughfare Creek Group--Wiggins Formation (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene (44-47 Ma)) at surface, covers 10 % of this area

ABSAROKA VOLCANIC SUPERGROUP: THOROFARE CREEK GROUP Wiggins Formation (age 44-47 Ma)--Light-gray volcanic conglomerate and white tuff, containing clasts of igneous rocks.

Lithology: mixed clastic/volcanic

Absaroka Volcanic Supergroup: Thoroughfare Creek Group--Tepee Trail Formation (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene (44-49 Ma)) at surface, covers 0.2 % of this area

ABSAROKA VOLCANIC SUPERGROUP: THOROFARE CREEK GROUP (AGE 44 TO 49 Ma) Tepee Trail Formation (age probably about 48 Ma)--Green and olive-drab hard generally well bedded andesitic conglomerate, sandstone, and claystone.

Lithology: mixed clastic/volcanic; medium-grained mixed clastic

Absaroka Volcanic Supergroup: Washburn Group (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene) at surface, covers 4 % of this area

ABSAROKA VOLCANIC SUPERGROUP--WASHBURN GROUP: includes Sepulcher Formation (andesitic and dacitic volcaniclastic rocks), Lamar River Formation (andesitic lava and volcaniclastic rocks), and Cathedral Cliffs Formation (light-colored andesitic volcaniclastic rocks).

Lithology: mixed clastic/volcanic; intermediate volcanic rock; felsic volcanic rock

Basalt flows and intrusive igneous rocks (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Quaternary | Pleistocene) at surface, covers 0.5 % of this area

BASALT FLOWS AND INTRUSIVE IGNEOUS ROCKS. Yellowstone area--Includes Osprey, Madison River, Swan Lake Flat, and Falls River Basalts, basalts of Mariposa Lake, Undine Falls Basalt, and gravels, sands, silts, and basalts of The Narrows. In and adjacent to Absaroka and Washakie Ranges--Includes basalt of Lava Mountain (age about 0.5 Ma).

Lithology: basalt; gravel; sand; silt

Madison Group and Darby Formation (TB, N) or Madison Group and Three Forks and Jefferson Formations (Y) (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic | Devonian-Late Carboniferous Mississippian-Early(?) Mississippian-Middle(?) Mississippian-Late) at surface, covers 0.2 % of this area

MADISON GROUP AND DARBY FORMATION (Thrust Belt, north Wyoming). MADISON GROUP--Group includes Mission Canyon Limestone (blue-gray massive limestone and dolomite), underlain by Lodgepole Limestone (gray cherty limestone and dolomite). DARBY FORMATION--Yellow and greenish-gray shale and dolomitic siltstone underlain by fetid brown dolomite and limestone. MADISON GROUP AND THREE FORKS AND JEFFERSON FORMATIONS (Yellowstone). MADISON GROUP--Group includes Mission Canyon Limestone (blue-gray massive limestone and dolomite), underlain by Lodgepole Limestone (gray cherty limestone and dolomite). THREE FORKS FORMATION--Pink, yellow, and green dolomitic siltstone and shale. JEFFERSON FORMATION--Massive siliceous dolomite.

Lithology: limestone; dolostone (dolomite); mudstone

Granitic rocks (Archean) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

GRANITIC ROCKS OF 2,600-Ma AGE GROUP. Teton Range--Mount Owen Quartz Monzonite. Age 2,500+/- Ma; may be of Early Proterozoic age. Gros Ventre and Washakie Ranges--Granitic rocks. Yellowstone National Park, Owl Creek, Granite, and Seminoe Mountains, Rawlins uplift, and Medicine Bow Mountains--Granite. Wind River Range--Granodiorite to porphyritic and equigranular granite. Sierra Madre--Granite and granodiorite. Laramie Mountains--Granite, amphibolite, and minor amounts of metasedimentary rocks. Hartville uplift--Granite and quartz monzonite. Black Hills uplift--Granite and minor amounts of metasedimentary rocks.

Lithology: granitoid

Mowry and Thermopolis Shales (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Early) at surface, covers 0.4 % of this area

MOWRY (Kmr) AND THERMOPOLIS SHALES. MOWRY SHALE (AGE 94 TO 98 Ma)--Silvery-gray hard siliceous shale containing abundant fish scales and bentonite beds. THERMOPOLIS SHALE--Black soft fissile shale; Muddy Sandstone Member at top.

Lithology: shale; sandstone; mixed clastic/volcanic

Frontier Formation and Mowry and Thermopolis Shales (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Early Cretaceous-Middle(?) Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers 0.5 % of this area

FRONTIER FORMATION (Kf) AND MOWRY (Kmr) AND THERMOPOLIS SHALES. FRONTIER FORMATION--Gray sandstone and sandy shale. In Northern Yellowstone area, Yellowish- to medium-gray sandstone; tuffaceous and carbonaceous in lower part. MOWRY SHALE (AGE 94 TO 98 Ma)--Silvery-gray hard siliceous shale containing abundant fish scales and bentonite beds. THERMOPOLIS SHALE--Black soft fissile shale; Muddy Sandstone Member at top.

Lithology: sandstone; shale; mixed clastic/volcanic

Eagle sandstone (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Eagle sandstone: sandstone and shaly sandstone with lignite beds in basal part of upper unit (Keu). The Virgelle sandstone member (Kvi) at base is distinguished where possible. Near Yellowstone National Park rocks incorrectly called Laramide in early reports and now regarded as roughly equivalent to the Eagle sandstone are tentatively mapped as Eagle sandstone.

Lithology: sandstone; mudstone; coal

Quartz monzonite of northern Yellowstone (Archean) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

QUARTZ MONZONITE OF NORTHERN YELLOWSTONE (AGE 2,740 Ma).

Lithology: quartz monzonite

Cloverly and Morrison Formations (N,S) or Cloverly Formation, Inyan Kara Group, and Morrison Formation (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Jurassic-Late Cretaceous-Early) at surface, covers 0.4 % of this area

CLOVERLY FORMATION and MORRISON FORMATION. CLOVERLY FORMATION--Rusty sandstone at top, underlain by brightly variegated bentonitic claystone; chert-pebble conglomerate locally at base. MORRISON FORMATION--Dully variegated claystone, nodular limestone, and gray silty sandstone. In southern Yellowstone and Jackson Hole areas the presence of Morrison is questionable; CLOVERLY FORMATION (Hartville uplift) or INYAN KARA GROUP (Black Hills) and MORRISON FORMATION. CLOVERLY FORMATION--Rusty to light-gray sandstone containing lenticular chert-pebble conglomerate interbedded with variegated bentonitic claystone. INYAN KARA GROUP--Rusty to light-gray sandstone containing lenticular chert-pebble conglomerate interbedded with variegated bentonitic claystone. Includes Fall River and Lakota Formations. MORRISON FORMATION, in northeast Wyoming, dully variegated siliceous claystone, nodular white limestone, and gray silty sandstone.

Lithology: sandstone; claystone; conglomerate; limestone

Judith River formation (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Judith River formation: light-colored sandstone at top; lower third somber-gray siltstone and sandy shale; greenish-gray clay and some lignite beds; includes the Parkman sandstone member of south-central Montana.

Lithology: sandstone; mudstone; coal

Gallatin Limestone, Gros Ventre Formation and equivalents, and Flathead Sandstone (N) or Cambrian Rocks (S) (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic | Cambrian-Middle Cambrian-Furongian) at surface, covers 0.7 % of this area

GALLATIN LIMESTONE, GROS VENTRE FORMATION and equivalents, and FLATHEAD SANDSTONE (north Wyoming). GALLATIN LIMESTONE--Blue-gray and yellow mottled hard dense limestone. GROS VENTRE FORMATION--Soft green micaceous shale (Upper and Middle Cambrian Park Shale Member), underlain by blue-gray and yellow mottled hard dense limestone (Middle Cambrian Death Canyon Limestone Member), and soft green micaceous shale (Middle Cambrian Wolsey Shale Member). FLATHEAD SANDSTONE--Dull-red quartzitic sandstone. CAMBRIAN ROCKS (south Wyoming). South flank of Granite Mountains--Blue-gray and yellow mottled hard dense limestone interbedded with soft green micaceous shale; dull-red quartzitic sandstone at base. On and south of Rawlins uplift--Glauconitic quartzitic sandstone.

Lithology: limestone; sandstone; shale

Rhyolite flows, tuff, and intrusive igneous rocks (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Quaternary | Pleistocene) at surface, covers 6 % of this area

RHYOLITE FLOWS, TUFF, AND INTRUSIVE IGNEOUS ROCKS--Includes Plateau Rhyolite (age about 0.07 Ma) and interlayered sediments, Mount Jackson Rhyolite (age 0.6 to about 1 Ma), Lewis Canyon Rhyolite (age about 0.9 Ma); and Lava Creek Tuff of Yellowstone Group (age 0.6 to about 1 Ma).

Lithology: rhyolite; lava flow; tuff; plutonic rock (phaneritic)

Bighorn Dolomite, Gallatin Limestone, and Gros Ventre Formation (TB), Bighorn Dolomite, Snowy Range Formation, Pilgrim Limestone, Park Shale, Meagher Limestone, Wolsey Shale, and Flathead Sandstone (Y), Bighorn Dolomite, Gallatin Limestone, Gros Ventre Formation, and Flathead Sandstone (N), or Whitewood Dolomite, and WInnipeg and Deadwood Formations (NE) (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic | Cambrian-Middle Cambrian-Furongian(?) Ordovician-Early(?) Ordovician-Middle(?) Ordovician-Late) at surface, covers 0.1 % of this area

BIGHORN DOLOMITE, GALLATIN LIMESTONE, and GROS VENTRE FORMATION. BIGHORN DOLOMITE (Thrust Belt)--Gray massive cliff-forming siliceous dolomite and locally dolomitic limestone. GALLATIN LIMESTONE--Gray and tan limestone. GROS VENTRE FORMATION--Greenish-gray micaceous shale. BIGHORN DOLOMITE, SNOWY RANGE FORMATION, PILGRIM LIMESTONE, PARK SHALE, MEAGHER LIMESTONE, WOLSEY SHALE, AND FLATHEAD SANDSTONE (Yellowstone). BIGHORN DOLOMITE--Light-gray massive siliceous dolomite. SNOWY RANGE FORMATION (Gallatin Group)--Medium-gray limestone and underlying greenish-gray shale. PILGRIM LIMESTONE (Gallatin Group)--Blue-gray and yellow mottled hard limestone. PARK SHALE--Green micaceous soft shale. Upper part may be Late Cambrian. MEAGHER LIMESTONE--Blue-gray and yellow mottled hard limestone. WOLSEY SHALE--Green micaceous soft shale. FLATHEAD SANDSTONE--Dull-red quartzitic sandstone. BIGHORN DOLOMITE, GALLATIN LIMESTONE, GROS VENTRE FORMATION, AND FLATHEAD SANDSTONE (north Wyoming). BIGHORN DOLOMITE--Gray massive cliff-forming siliceous dolomite and locally dolomitic limestone. GALLATIN LIMESTONE--Blue-gray and yellow mottled hard dense limestone. GROS VENTRE FORMATION--Soft green micaceous shale (Upper and Middle Cambrian Park Shale Member), underlain by blue-gray and yellow mottled hard dense limestone (Middle Cambrian Death Canyon Limestone Member), and soft green micaceous shale (Middle Cambrian Wolsey Shale Member). FLATHEAD SANDSTONE--Dull-red quartzitic sandstone. WHITEWOOD DOLOMITE, AND WINNIPEG AND DEADWOOD FORMATIONS (northeast Wyoming). WHITEWOOD DOLOMITE--Buff massive fossiliferous dolomite. WINNIPEG FORMATION--Pink to yellow siltstone and shale. DEADWOOD FORMATION--Red and brown quartzitic sandstone.

Lithology: limestone; dolostone (dolomite); shale; sandstone

Frontier Formation (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers 0.8 % of this area

FRONTIER FORMATION in thrust belt--White to brown sandstone and dark-gray shale; oyster coquina in upper part; coal and lignite in lower part; in north and south Wyoming--Gray sandstone and sandy shale.

Lithology: sandstone; shale; coal

Kootenai and Morrison Formations and Ellis Group (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Jurassic-Middle Jurassic-Late(?) Cretaceous-Early) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

KOOTENAI AND MORRISON FORMATIONS AND ELLIS GROUP. KOOTENAI FORMATION--Rusty thin-bedded sandstone, grayish-red soft claystone, white limestone, and chert-pebble conglomerate. MORRISON FORMATION in northern Yellowstone area--Variegated silty claystone and fine-grained sandstone. ELLIS GROUP includes SWIFT, RIERDON, and SAWTOOTH FORMATIONS. Swift Formation--Calcareous glauconitic sandstone and sandy limestone. Rierdon Formation--Mudstone, siltstone, shale, and basal limestone. Sawtooth Formation--Red beds and limestone.

Lithology: fine-grained mixed clastic; medium-grained mixed clastic; limestone; conglomerate

Absaroka Volcanic Supergroup: Sunlight Group--Trout Peak Trachyandesite (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene) at surface, covers 3 % of this area

ABSAROKA VOLCANIC SUPERGROUP: SUNLIGHT GROUP--Trout Peak Trachyandesite.

Lithology: trachyandesite

Tertiary volcanic rocks (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Tertiary volcanic rocks: Flows and associated pyroclastic deposits, with subordinate amounts of intercalated sedimentary beds and lignite. The volcanic material is mostly latite, quartz latite, and andesite but includes some rhyolite and basalt. The distinction between Tertiary and pre-Tertiary volcanic rocks was not made in some of the reports used in the complilation. Hence in the less well-known areas some pre-Tertiary volcanic rocks may be included.

Lithology: volcanic rock (aphanitic); mixed clastic/volcanic; coal

Absaroka Volcanic Supergroup: Thoroughfare Creek Group--Two Ocean and Langford Formations (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene (44-49 Ma)) at surface, covers 7 % of this area

ABSAROKA VOLCANIC SUPERGROUP: THOROFARE CREEK GROUP (AGE 44 TO 49 Ma) Two Ocean and Langford Formations (age 47-48 Ma)--Dark-colored andesitic volcaniclastic rocks and flows underlain by light-colored andesitic tuffs and flows. In places may include Trout Peak Trachyandesite of Sunlight Group.

Lithology: mixed clastic/volcanic; intermediate volcanic rock

Absaroka Volcanic Supergroup: Sunlight Group--Wapiti Formation (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene) at surface, covers 12 % of this area

ABSAROKA VOLCANIC SUPERGROUP: SUNLIGHT GROUP--Wapiti Formation: andesitic volcaniclastic rocks.

Lithology: mixed clastic/volcanic; intermediate volcanic rock

Chugwater and Goose Egg Formations (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic Mesozoic | Permian Triassic-Early(?) Triassic-Middle(?) Triassic-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

CHUGWATER AND GOOSE EGG FORMATIONS (north Wyoming). CHUGWATER FORMATION--Red siltstone and shale. Alcova Limestone Member in upper middle part in north Wyoming. Thin gypsum partings near base in north and northeast Wyoming. GOOSE EGG FORMATION--Red sandstone and siltstone, white gypsum, halite, and purple to white dolomite and limestone; CHUGWATER FORMATION OR GROUP (south Wyoming)--Red shale and siltstone containing thin gypsum partings near base. Group includes Popo Agie Formation (red shale and red, yellow, and purple siltstone; lenses of lime-pellet conglomerate), Crow Mountain Sandstone (red and gray, thick bedded), Alcova Limestone, and Red Peak Formation (red siltstone and shale). Chugwater Formation includes as members all the units listed above. Includes overlying Jelm Formation in Shirley and Seminoe Mountains and at northern end of Laramie Basin. JELM FORMATION--Red sandstone. GOOSE EGG FORMATION--Red sandstone and siltstone, white gypsum, halite, and purple to white dolomite and limestone.

Lithology: siltstone; sandstone; shale; conglomerate; evaporite; dolostone (dolomite); limestone

Absaroka Volcanic Supergroup: Thoroughfare Creek Group--Aycross Formation (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene (44-49 Ma)) at surface, covers 1 % of this area

ABSAROKA VOLCANIC SUPERGROUP: THOROFARE CREEK GROUP (AGE 44 TO 49 Ma) Aycross Formation (age 49 Ma)--Brightly variegated bentonitic claystone and tuffaceous sandstone, grading laterally into greenish-gray sandstone and claystone. In and east of Jackson Hole contains gold-bearing lenticular quartzite conglomerate.

Lithology: mixed clastic/volcanic; fine-grained mixed clastic; conglomerate

Oldest gneiss complex (Archean) at surface, covers 3 % of this area

OLDEST GNEISS COMPLEX--Chiefly layered granitic gneiss, locally migmatitic. Local masses of quartzite, metagraywacke, iron-formation, and other metasedimentary rocks and amphibolite and felsic gneiss thought to be volcanic; metasedimentary rocks in Beartooth Mountains contain detrital zircon dated at more than 3,400 Ma. Inclusions show evidence of granulite-facies metamorphism prior to 2,800 Ma. Mueller and others (1982) suggest that large areas in Beartooth Mountains were invaded by Late Archean granite (age about 2,800 Ma). Bighorn Mountains--Dates of metamorphism 3,000+ Ma.

Lithology: granitic gneiss; migmatite; metamorphic rock

Mesozoic and Paleozoic rocks (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic Mesozoic | Carboniferous Mississippian-Late Pennsylvanian(?) Permian(?) Triassic(?) Jurassic(?) Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers 0.7 % of this area

MESOZOIC AND PALEOZOIC ROCKS (north Wyoming). Shown in small areas of complex structure. East Flank of Absaroka Range--Dinwoody Formation, Phosphoria Formation and related rocks., Tensleep Sandstone, and Amsden Formation (Lower Triassic through Upper Mississippian). East flank of Bighorn Mountains--Cloverly, Morrison, Sundance, Gypsum Spring, Chugwater and Gypsum Spring Formations (Lower Cretaceous through Permian). MESOZOIC AND PALEOZOIC ROCKS (south Wyoming). Shown in small areas of complex structure. South side of Granite Mountains north of Green Mountain--Nugget Sandstone, Chugwater and Goose Egg Formations, Tensleep Sandstone, and Amsden Formation (Jurassic? through Upper Mississippian). South flank of Ferris Mountains--Nugget Sandstone and Chugwater and Goose Egg Formation (Jurassic? through Permian). Northeast flank of Seminoe Mountians--Cloverly, Morrison, Sundance, Chugwater, and Goose Egg Formations (Lower Cretaceous through Permain). West flank of Sierra Madre--Chugwater, Goose Egg, Casper, and Fountain Formations (Upper Triassic through Middle Pennsylvanian). East Flank of Laramie Mountains--Cloverly, Morrison, Sundance, Chugwater, and Goose Egg Formations, and, east of fault in T. 19 N., Casper Formation (Lower Creatceous through Middle Pennsylvanian). NUGGET SANDSTONE in south--Gray to dull-red, massive to coarsely crossbedded quartz sandstone.

Lithology: sedimentary rock; clastic; mixed clastic/volcanic; mixed clastic/carbonate

Cody Shale (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late (78-83 Ma)) at surface, covers 4 % of this area

CODY SHALE (AGE 78 TO 83 Ma) northern Yellowstone area--Gray to brown shale and siltstone; north and south Wyoming--Dull-gray shale, gray siltstone, and fine-grained gray sandstone.

Lithology: shale; siltstone; sandstone

Claggett formation (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Claggett formation: chiefly dark-gray shale with iron-stained concretions; locally sandstone present; numerous bentonite beds near base.

Lithology: shale; sandstone; bentonite

Lance Formation, Fox Hills Sandstone, Meeteetse Formation, Bearpaw and Lewis Shales (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

LANCE FORMATION (Kl north), FOX HILLS SANDSTONE (Kfh), MEETEETSE FORMATION (Km), AND BEARPAW AND LEWIS (Kle) SHALES--In the Bighorn Basin consists of Lance, Meeteetse and, in the southeastern part, tongue of Lewis Shale; in the northern part of the Wind River Basin, of Lance, Meeteetse, and Lewis, and, in the southeastern part of the basin, of Lance and Lewis; on the west side of the Powder River Basin north of T. 45 N., of Lance, Fox Hills, and Bearpaw, and, to the south, of Lance, Fox Hills, and Lewis. LANCE FORMATION--Thick-bedded buff sandstone and drab to green shale; thin conglomerate lenses. FOX HILLS SANDSTONE--Light-colored sandstone and gray sandy shale containing marine fossils. MEETEETSE FORMATION (AGE ABOUT 73 Ma)--Chalky-white to gray sandstone, yellow, green, and dark-gray bentonitic claystone, white tuff, and thin coal beds. BEARPAW SHALE--Dark-greenish-gray shale containing thin gray sandstone partings. LEWIS SHALE (AGE ABOUT 68 Ma)--Gray marine shale containing many gray and brown lenticular concretion-rich sandstone beds.

Lithology: medium-grained mixed clastic; fine-grained mixed clastic; mixed clastic/volcanic; coal

Chugwater Formation (N, NE), or Chugwater Formation or Group (S) (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Triassic-Early Triassic-Middle(?) Triassic-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

CHUGWATER FORMATION (north, northeast Wyoming)--Red siltstone and shale. Alcova Limestone Member in upper middle part in north Wyoming. Thin gypsum partings near base in north and northeast Wyoming. [None mapped in the NE]; CHUGWATER FORMATION OR GROUP (south Wyomingt)--Red shale and siltstone containing thin gypsum partings near base. Group includes Popo Agie Formation (red shale and red, yellow, and purple siltstone; lenses of lime-pellet conglomerate), Crow Mountain Sandstone (red and gray, thick bedded), Alcova Limestone, and Red Peak Formation (red siltstone and shale). Chugwater Formation includes as members all the units listed above. Includes overlying Jelm Formation in Shirley and Seminoe Mountains and at northern end of Laramie Basin. JELM FORMATION--Red sandstone.

Lithology: siltstone; shale; sandstone; limestone; conglomerate

Tensleep Sandstone and Amsden Formation (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic | Carboniferous Mississippian-Late Pennsylvanian(?) Permian) at surface, covers 0.1 % of this area

TENSLEEP SANDSTONE AND AMSDEN FORMATION. North Wyoming: TENSLEEP SANDSTONE--White to gray sandstone containing thin limestone and dolomite beds. Permian fossils have been found in the topmost beds of the Tensleep at some localities in Washakie Range, Owl Creek Mountains, and southern Bighorn Mountains. AMSDEN FORMATION--Red and green shale and dolomite; at base is brown sandstone. South Wyoming: TENSLEEP SANDSTONE AND AMSDEN FORMATION. TENSLEEP SANDSTONE--White to gray sandstone containing thin limestone and dolomite beds. AMSDEN FORMATION--Red and green shale and dolomite; at base is persistent red to brown sandstone.

Lithology: sandstone; carbonate; shale

Absaroka Volcanic Supergroup: Thoroughfare Creek and Sunlight Groups (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene (44-49 Ma)) at surface, covers 0.8 % of this area

ABSAROKA VOLCANIC SUPERGROUP: THOROFARE CREEK GROUP (AGE 44 TO 49 Ma)--Light-colored volcaniclastic strata, andesite lava flows, and dark-brown breccia AND SUNLIGHT GROUP--including Trout Peak Trachyandesite, Wapiti Formation (andesitic volcaniclastic rocks), Crescent Hill Basalt, and Mount Wallace Formation (felsic and mafic volcaniclastic rocks).

Lithology: andesite; pyroclastic; trachyandesite; basalt; felsic volcanic rock

Pre-Belt gneiss, schist, and related rocks (Archean Proterozoic(?) preCambrian-Proterozoic(?) preCambrian(?) Phanerozoic | Paleozoic(?) Mesozoic(?) Cenozoic | Cambrian(?) Ordovician(?) Silurian(?) Devonian(?) Carboniferous(?) Permian(?) Triassic(?) Jurassic(?) Cretaceous(?) Tertiary) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Pre-Belt gneiss, schist, and related rocks: comprises all the rocks older than the Belt series except the Stillwater complex. These include the Cherry Creek group, consisting of interlaminated gneiss, schist, marble, and quartzite; and the Pony series of Tansley and others, consisting of gneiss and schist of both sedimentary and igneous origin. Recent work has resulted in the distinction of small masses of granitic and injected rocks now regarded as resulting from intrusion in Cretaceous or Tertiary time. Other such masses may have escaped recognition.

Lithology: metamorphic rock; plutonic rock (phaneritic)

Basal part of Cody shale (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Basal part of Cody shale: gray and dark-gray shale with some sandstone beds; in north end of Big Horn Basin includes the Telegraph Creek formation.

Lithology: shale; sandstone

Intrusive igneous rocks (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous(?)) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

INTRUSIVE IGNEOUS ROCKS--Gray to buff monzonite porphyry. Beartooth Mountains.

Lithology: plutonic rock (phaneritic)

Intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Miocene Pliocene) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

INTRUSIVE AND EXTRUSIVE IGNEOUS ROCKS--Composition ranges from hornblende monzonite to basalt. In Yellowstone area includes andesite and basalt of Emerald Lake (age about 2 Ma), rhyolite of Broad Creek, Pliocene Junction Butte Basalt, and gravel of Mount Everts. Age of basalt on Crescent Mountain 3.6 Ma.

Lithology: granitoid; basalt

Telegraph Creek formation (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Telegraph Creek formation: buff mainly soft, fissile sandy shale with subordinate amounts of concretionary sandstone.

Lithology: mudstone; sandstone

Bearpaw shale (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Bearpaw shale: Dark-gray and brownish clay shale; thick units of nonfissile bentonitic shale; calcareous and ferruginous concretions throughout; contains some thick bentonite beds.

Lithology: shale; sandstone; bentonite

Landslide Creek Formation (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

LANDSLIDE CREEK FORMATION--Greenish-gray bentonitic tuffaceous sandstone and conglomerate.

Lithology: sandstone; conglomerate; mixed clastic/volcanic

Alluvium and Colluvium (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Quaternary | Pleistocene Holocene) at surface, covers 4 % of this area

ALLUVIUM AND COLLUVIUM--Clay, silt, sand, and gravel in flood plains, fans, terraces, and slopes.

Lithology: alluvium; colluvium

Undivided surficial deposits (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Quaternary | Pleistocene Holocene) at surface, covers 8 % of this area

UNDIVIDED SURFICIAL DEPOSITS--Mostly alluvium, colluvium, and glacial and landslide deposits. Primarily in Yellowstone area and Bighorn Mountains.

Lithology: alluvium; colluvium; glacial drift; landslide

Mesaverde Formation (N) or Mesaverde Group (S) (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers 2 % of this area

MESAVERDE FORMATION (north Wyoming)--Light-colored massive to thin-bedded sandstone, gray sandy shale, and coal beds. In Jackson Hole locally contains gold-bearing quartzite conglomerate. North of North Fork Powder River east of the Bighorn Mountains, consists solely of the Parkman Sandstone Member; MESAVERDE GROUP (SOUTH WYOMING). Includes Almond Formation, Ericson Sandstone, Rock Springs and Blair Formations in Rock Springs uplift; Almond Formation (white and brown soft sandstone, gray sandy shale, coal and carbonaceous shale), Pine Ridge Sandstone (light-gray sandstone and thin coal beds), and Allen Ridge (gray sandstone, shale, and thin coal beds) and Haystack Mountains (gray marine sandstone and shale) Formations in Rawlins uplift; Pine Ridge Sandstone (light-gray sandstone and thin coal beds) and Rock River Formation (soft sandstone and sandy shale) in Laramie Basin.

Lithology: sandstone; shale; coal; conglomerate

Crandall Conglomerate (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Eocene) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

CRANDALL CONGLOMERATE--Nonvolcanic conglomerate containing clasts of Lower Paleozoic rocks.

Lithology: conglomerate

Three Forks and Jefferson Formations and Bighorn Dolomite (Y) or Three Forks, Jefferson, and Beartooth Butte Formations and Bighorn Dolomite (N) (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic | Ordovician-Middle Ordovician-Late(?) Silurian(?) Devonian-Early(?) Devonian-Middle(?) Devonian-Late) at surface, covers 0.2 % of this area

THREE FORKS, JEFFERSON, AND BEARTOOTH BUTTE FORMATIONS AND BIGHORN DOLOMITE (Yellowstone). THREE FORKS FORMATION--Pink, yellow, and green dolomitic siltstone and shale. JEFFERSON FORMATION--Massive siliceous dolomite. BEARTOOTH BUTTE FORMATION--Red sandstone, limy siltstone, and limestone. Occurs only in the Beartooth Mountains. BIGHORN DOLOMITE--Light-gray massive siliceous dolomite. THREE FORKS, JEFFERSON, AND BEARTOOTH BUTTE FORMATIONS AND BIGHORN DOLOMITE (north Wyoming). THREE FORKS FORMATION--Yellow and greenish-gray shale and dolomitic siltstone. JEFFERSON FORMATION--Fetid brown dolomite and limestone. BEARTOOTH BUTTE FORMATION--Red sandstone, limy siltstone, and limestone. Occurs only in the Beartooth Mountains. BIGHORN DOLOMITE--Gray massive cliff-forming siliceous dolomite and locally dolomitic limestone.

Lithology: carbonate; mudstone; sandstone

Fort Union Formation (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary | Paleocene ) at surface, covers 4 % of this area

FORT UNION FORMATION northwest, southwest, and central Wyoming--Brown to gray sandstone, gray to black shale, and thin coal beds; east Wyoming--Light-colored massive sandstone, drab shale, and thick coal beds.

Lithology: sandstone; shale; coal

Madison Limestone, Darby or Three Forks, Jefferson, and Beartooth Butte Formations, and Bighorn Dolomite (Phanerozoic | Paleozoic | Ordovician-Middle Ordovician-Late(?) Silurian(?) Devonian(?) Carboniferous Mississippian-Early(?) Mississippian-Middle(?) Mississippian-Late) at surface, covers 0.7 % of this area

MADISON LIMESTONE, DARBY or THREE FORKS, JEFFERSON, AND BEARTOOTH BUTTE FORMATION. MADISON GROUP--Group includes Mission Canyon Limestone (blue-gray massive limestone and dolomite), underlain by Lodgepole Limestone (gray cherty limestone and dolomite). DARBY FORMATION--Yellow and greenish-gray shale and dolomitic siltstone underlain by fetid brown dolomite and limestone. THREE FORKS FORMATION--Yellow and greenish-gray shale and dolomitic siltstone. JEFFERSON FORMATION--Fetid brown dolomite and limestone. BEARTOOTH BUTTE FORMATION--Red sandstone, limy siltstone, and limestone. Occurs only in the Beartooth Mountains.

Lithology: carbonate; mudstone; sandstone

Terrace deposits (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary Quaternary) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Terrace deposits: gravel, sand, and silt of terrace remnants.

Lithology: alluvial terrace

Alluvium (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Quaternary) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Alluvium: mainly valley fill consisting of silt, sand, and gravel; includes some terrace deposits and glacial drift of Pleistocene age in some areas; locally includes hot spring tufa. The older part of the alluvium, where present, is probably of Pliocene age.

Lithology: alluvium; glacial drift; carbonate

Glacial deposits (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Quaternary | Pleistocene Holocene) at surface, covers 3 % of this area

GLACIAL DEPOSITS--Till and outwash of sand, gravel, and boulders.

Lithology: glacial drift

Fort Union formation (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Tertiary Cretaceous-Late | Paleocene) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Fort Union formation: Clay shale, siltstone, and sandstone; local lenses of impure limestone, and numerous lignitic beds; contains Tertiary plant and animal fossils but no dinosaurs; base generally placed at the lowest of the succession of lignite beds within it; includes the Tongue River member, Lebo shale member, and Tullock member.

Lithology: shale; siltstone; sandstone; coal; limestone

Everts Formation, Eagle Sandstone, and Telegraph Creek Formation (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

EVERTS FORMATION, EAGLE SANDSTONE, AND TELEGRAPH CREEK FORMATION--Massive to thin-bedded sandstone, mudstone, and shale.

Lithology: sandstone; mudstone

Gravel, pediment, and fan deposits (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Quaternary | Pleistocene Holocene) at surface, covers 5 % of this area

GRAVEL, PEDIMENT, AND FAN DEPOSITS--Mostly locally derived clasts. Includes some glacial deposits along east flank of Wind River Range. Locally includes some Tertiary gravels.

Lithology: unconsolidated deposit

Landslide deposits (Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Quaternary | Pleistocene Holocene) at surface, covers 3 % of this area

LANDSLIDE DEPOSITS--Locally includes intermixed landslide and glacial deposits, talus, and rock-glacier deposits.

Lithology: landslide; glacial drift

Meeteetse Formation (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers 1 % of this area

MEETEETSE FORMATION (AGE ABOUT 73 Ma)--Chalky-white to gray sandstone, yellow, green, and dark-gray bentonitic claystone, white tuff, and thin coal beds.

Lithology: sandstone; claystone; mixed clastic/volcanic; coal

Lennep sandstone (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Cretaceous-Late) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Lennep sandstone: mainly dark-brown andesitic sandstone with intercalated shale; locally contains thin coal beds.

Lithology: sandstone; mudstone; coal

Kootenai formation and associated rocks (Phanerozoic | Mesozoic | Jurassic Cretaceous-Early) at surface, covers < 0.1 % of this area

Kootenai formation and associated rocks: conglomerate, sandstone, shale, and mudstone; purplish and green beds are common; mainly the Kootenai; in southern Montana includes strata that have been mapped as Cloverly formation. Includes Second Cat Creek and Third Cat Creek sands of drillers in central part of State; Sunburst sand of drillers in north-central part; and Cut Bank sand of drillers in western part. As here mapped, may locally include thin units of Jurassic age.

Lithology: medium-grained mixed clastic; mudstone; limestone