Date of Graduation

2002

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

Richard A. Smosna

Abstract

In the past, outcrops of the Purslane Formation have been misidentified and neglected receiving little attention as a major Lower Mississippian unit. While exposures of this formation are rare, those that occur in western Maryland are worthy of extensive analysis. In particular are the exposures in the Oakland sand and gravel quarry, those along Deep Creek Lake in McHenry, and those above the third bench on the north cut face of the I-68 road cut through Sideling Hill. Through detailed stratigraphic and sedimentary analysis it is possible to correlate these deposits with each other as well as accurately reconstruct sedimentary processes that were occurring. Stratigraphic columns were constructed to look for sequential changes within the measured sections. Grain-size parameters were calculated to better understand individual facies within the fluvial environment. Statistical tests were performed to understand the relationship between the primary facies; channels, longitudinal bars, and transverse bars. The above analyses allow accurate classification of these fluvial deposits. Based on the results of these analyses and paleogeographic reconstructions of western Maryland during the Lower Mississippian by past workers, it can be assumed that the deposits of the Purslane are the result of braided river deposition.

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