FIELD CONFERENCE OF PENNSYLVANIA GEOLOGISTS

THE CASE OF THE MISSING CATSKILL - CLUES FROM WAYNE, SULLIVAN, AND SUSQUEHANNA COUNTIES

Rogers (1858) called it the “table land.” White (1881) characterized Wayne and Susquehanna Counties as “… an almost horizontal inclined plane, of Catskill measures…” estimating that 95 percent of the rock is Catskill. These early descriptions became the norm as the paucity of useable outcrop and relatively horizontal bedding contributed to the lack of detailed stratigraphy for the Catskill in this section of Pennsylvania.

Recent bedrock mapping was initiated in northern Wayne and Susquehanna Counties to examine the undivided segment of the Catskill Formation delimited on the present State Geologic Map (Berg, 1980). The intent was to determine if the Catskill could be differentiated into more formalized mappable members and to clarify its basal contact with the marine Lock Haven Formation. The 2019 Field Conference will examine a select number of these rare and often breath-taking exposures, examine the clues, and attempt to shoehorn them into the ever-changing framework of Pennsylvania’s geologic story.

Tentative stops include examining and viewing: spectacular Catskill sections, transitional contacts (is that a marine fossil or a pisolith?), astounding regional structures (it’s all flat, right?), Elk Mountain (what a view), Ararat Mountain (is it Pocono or is it Spechty Kopf?), Catskill karst (caves and the origin of colluvium), fining-upward cycles (what is an agglomerate?), fish burrows or magic mushrooms, bluestone quarries (partings, inclusions, and smoky quartz).

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Road Log & Preconference trips:

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84th Annual FCOPG Roadlog/Guidebook  (printed copy will be distributed at registration)

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Haystacks Preconference Trip

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Registration Fees : 

UPDATES:

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October 17, 2019 - Thanks to everyone for their patience, perseverance and adaptability.  All preconference trip attendance certificates have been emailed.  If you did not receive one contact Steve (I am not out of this yet).

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Next year's conference will focus on the unique geoheritage of the Ohiopyle and Laurel Highland region, and will be led by Jim Shaulis, PA Geological Survey and Frank Pazzaglia, Lehigh University.  If anyone would like to run a preconference trip, please contact Kristen or Craig.  

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Dates:  October 8, 9, 10   2020 

Headquarters:  Seven Springs

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Additional information will be forthcoming later.  

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See you next year!

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October 2, 2019 - One day to go.  For folks on Haystacks trip, Brett is watching the weather and will let you know as soon as possible. Other preconference trips are on.

Also, 2019 is the 100th Anniversary of the 4th Pennsylvania Geological Survey.  To celebrate the Survey is having an open house in the Middletown office on Friday, December 6 to showcase our most recent research and honor our long past.

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100th Anniversary Open House

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September 16, 2019 - The waiting list is now down to 5 people.  Hopefully we will get everyone in.  Please be patient and keep your options open.  The guide for the Haystacks preconference trip is posted above.  The road log for the full conference will be posted next week.

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August 26, 2019 - There has been no change to the waiting list.  We are working on the details of the Marcellus trip, and when that is settled I will update everyone on the preconference trips.

August 12, 2019 - The Field Conference was full as of last Thursday afternoon. There is a waiting list.  You may still register, but please do not pay any registration fees until we tell you there is a spot available.