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This is to certify that the

thesis entitled

"Paleogeology of Central Michigan"

presented hg

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Joseph 8. Long

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has been accepted towards fulfillment

of the requirements for

his degree in Geologx

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Major professor

Date 6/16/52

 

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SUPPLEWW  "
MATER‘EAL

IN BACK OF BOOK

 

 

THE PALbOGbOLOGY OF CENTRAL MICHIGAN

By

Joseph Bacon Long

A THESIS

Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan
State College of Agriculture and Applied Science
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTEK OF SCILNCE

Department of Geology and Geography

1952

THISIS

11 ll

AC KNOAJ LED CEMENT S

The author is indebted to Dr. w. A. Kelly of
the Department of Geology and Geography. Eichigan
State College, for his encourasement and advice in
the preparation of this paper. Gratitude is also
due to Drs. S. G. Bergquist, B. T. Sandefur, and
J} W. Trow, who read this paper and made valuable
suggestions.

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TABLE. OF CONTENT S

INTRODU C T ION ...................................................... .
HISTORY OF PAL'LOCLOIO GIC INVESTICJLTIONS ............................
REVIEW OF PhLVIOUS WORK IN M CH ICAN ........................... . . . . .
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM ...........................................
TEE TRAVERSE-WNDEL CONTACT ..................................... . . .
BASINAL DIP ........ . ...................... . ...................... . .
CC-NSTnUC'l'ION OF BASDAAL DIP CUILVES .................................
CCI‘ES‘TnUCTION OF COUNTY PALal’DGEOLOGIC 1-2sz CN A CUiLVED SUALFACS ......
PLOTTING PI‘LOCLDUELE . ................................................
CLI‘E‘T‘t-TJAL 1'V1ICHICn"-l\T PILLMKELOLOGY ............................ . .........
LII-IITAT IC? NS .................................................. A ......
CO NC LU SIC N 3 ........................ . ..................... . .........

BIBLIOCELKPHY .......................................................

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12
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17

LIST OF FIGthS AKD MAPS

FICUnL PAGE
1. The Location of Counties in Central Michigan .................. 3
2. The Generalized Stratigraphic Divisions in Michigan ........... 7
3. Calculation of Basinal Dip Curves From Half Values ............ 10
h. Application of a degional ISOpach to the Datum Surface ....... . 1h
MAP
I. Basinal Dip Contours on the Traverse-Dundee Contact ..... In pocket

II. PaleogeGIOgy of Central Michigan ........................ In pocket

INTRODUCTION

Virtually all of Michigan petroleum discoveries have been accounted
for by means of subsurface interpretation including shallow drilling
information, trend geology, and geOphysical methods. The Gulf Petroleum
Company conducted an extensive core drilling campaign and a supplemental
geOphysical prOgram through the Kawkawlin block in.Bay County before
making the initial successful Dundee test. Seimnic methods of exploration
are not generally applicable to central Michigan because of the great
thickness of glacial drift which dampens the energy of reflected seismic
waves.

Michigan wildcatters have been able to use the vast amount of ex-
ploratory data to interpret structures most favorable for the accumulation
of petroleum. Paleogeological studies also may serve to integrate this
well information for more effective subsurface exploration.

A paleogeologic map drawn from well data, shows the distribution of
formations at a surface which existed at some specific time in the
geologic past. Such a map shows the changing areal and structural geolOgy

during geologic time.

HISTOhY OF PALEOGEOLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS

Heirich (11) first used paleogeOIOgic maps in 1929 to illustrate the
areal distribution of the pre-Pennsylvanian rocks in the Cushing Field of
Oklahoma. During the same yearlfihite (12) published paleogeologic maps
showing the subsurface distribution of the Ordovician Wilcox sand series
of northeastern Oklahoma. McClellan (9) included paleogeologic maps in
his study of the preéMississippian rocks of Kansas and Oklahoma. Levorsen
(6) used paleogeologic maps to illustrate the important structural differ-
ences which occur beneath the Mississippian overlap of the didcontinent
area. Eardley (b) employed paleogeologic maps to show the deve10ping
complexity of the geological pattern at the close of the lower Pennsyl-
vanian, the Triassic, and the Jurassic periods.

Paleogeologic maps constructed by the Midcontinent geologists were
based on regional unconformities. ‘With the exception of the unconformable
contact between the Pleistocene glacial drift and the underlying Paleozoics
there is no datum surface within depths of 7,000 to 11,000 feet in central
Michigan comparable to the regional unconformities employed by the Mid-
continent geologists. The Centennial Geologic Map of Michigan compiled
by Martin (8) is in reality a paleogeologic map for the reason that
Paleozoic formations are indicated below the cover of glacial drift. The
West Branch anticline is well shown on the Centennial Map by the older
Goldwater shale encircled by the younger lower Marshall. This inlier is

known to correSpond to the anticlinal West Branch pool.

 

 

  
  

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Figure 1.

Location of Counties
in Central Michigan.

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Figure 1.
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Unconformities at the base of the Pennsylvanian and middle Mississip-
pian are not readily discernible. Those known to occur in the Ordovician
and Cambrian sequences are at too great depths to be used as datum sur-
faces in central Michigan. Formation depths used in compiling the data
for the construction of paleogeologic maps should be readily accessible
by shallow drilling. In addition, the construction of paleogeologic maps
requires that the contact of the unconformity be defined as clearly as
possible if the maps drawn are to be feasible and employed to displace

other methods of subsurface interpretation.

RhVIBS OF PREVIOUS WORK IN MICHIGAN

The formations of Michigan which may be accessible by shallow drill-
ing are an essentially conformable sequence and therefore a new datum
surface for paleogeological studies is desirable. Kay (5) suggested that
a sea level, or an arbitrary horizontal datum plane, be applied and
formations in turn mapped below this plane. Students in stratigraphy at
Michigan State College have constructed paleogeologic maps of Michigan
counties by using an arbitrary horizontal datum surface calculated from a
constant elevation below sea level. Well records were read to the datum
surface and the corresponding formation at that depth was recorded on a
base map by using a specific symbol or color. This procedure naturally
results in a change in the stratigraphic formational units appearing on

the map, and in effect, presents several local maps.

STATEMLNT OF THE PRCBLHfl

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An idea was formulated by d. B. Colten (2) in 19h? that a concave
surface might be constructed and used as a datum for a paleogeological
study of the Michigan basin. Colten's suggested procedure necessarily
involves the determination of the average inclination of the gently dip-
ping formations over extensive distances. The present report is based
largely on Colten's idea of a curved datum surface.

The average inclination of the formations must be calculated on an
easily identifiable contact which is present over a broad area of the
Michigan basin. The contact between the base of the Traverse and the
underlying formation approaches the prerequisites for calculating the
average inclination of the formations.

The use of arbitrary data and radial profiles in which spacing is
not subjectively selected might demonstrate the applicability of the
curved Gatum surface in the virtually undrilled areas of Emmet, Presgue
Isle, Alpena, Alcona, Cheboygan, Otsego, and Kalkaska counties in the
northern part of the southern peninsula of Michigan.

Subsurface interpretation in Michigan has been enhanced by informa-
tion from more than 17,000 wells. The available data from this great
number of wells can present evidence to support or disprove the hypotheses
advanced by paleogeological studies. By using only a few wells in each
county studied, conditions simulate those under which exploration pro-
grams are normally conducted, and under which they may be applied to the

northern counties.

THE TRAthSE-DUNDEE CONTACT

In applying the principle of Colten's curved datum surface the con-
Itact of the Traverse-Dundee formation was used. Because of similarities
in color, texture, and lithology, well records usually include the hogers
City formation with the Dundee.

The Traverse-Dundee contact is generally identifiable from samples,
electric logs, and published records of wells. The lithologic break
between the lowest Traverse member, or the Bell shale, and the Dundee
limestone and dolomites is apparent in most investigations (Fig. 2).
Exceptions may be found in well samples from the Rise pool of Isabella
County, where the shale above the Dundee limestone is thin, or the normal
sequence of shale interfingers with relatively thick limestone members.

The contact approthates the regional dip of the formations and is

the basis for calculating the basinal dip surface.

BASINAL DIP

Basinal dip is the average inclination along radial profiles of a
formational contact. It differs from regional dip in that it represents
the mean curve between the high and low areas of a contact surface.
hegional dip, on the other hand, is the average inclination of a forma—

tion over a considerable distance.

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CONSTNUCTION OF BASINAL DIP CUthS

Basinal dip curves were drawn by plotting subsurface profiles of the
Traverse-Dundee contact on cross section paper to a vertical scale of one
inch equal to 250 feet and a horizontal scale of one inch equal to four
miles.

These curves were calculated from each profile by means of half
values which represent the coordinate points of the average depth and
distance between wells (Fig. 3). Local dips of the Traverse-Dundee contact
then were corrected to the basinal dip curve.

Intervals of 100 feet were marked off vertically on each profile.

The intersection points of the 100 foot intervals and the basinal dip
curves were transferred to a base map of central Michigan and the values
were contoured.

This map will differ from one constructed by Cohee (I) who shows the
structural contours on the top of the Dundee-ROgers City seguence. Basinal
dip contours on Map I show the inclination of the contact, but do not
present local structural relationships as drawn on Cohee's map. Both maps
show the gently inclined basin structure with the deepest part being in

southwestern Gladwin County.

CONSTRUCTIOI 0F COUNTY'PALLCGEOLOGIC MAPS
ON A CUhVuD SUhFLCn
The paleogeQIOgic maps in this report were constructed to an interval
of 2200 feet above the curved datum surface. By increasing the value of

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drilling at depths of 1200 to 1500 feet were simulated. This method is
thought to be justified because shallow drilling continues to be the
most widely used method of exploration by hichigan oil Operators.

The 2200 foot increase of each basinal dip contour raises the datum
surface to approximately the stratigraphic position of the Napoleon
formation. Thomas (10) describes this Marshall formation member as a
massive yellow-white sandstone, rather coarse grained, and character-
istically with scattered green chloritic and red quartz grains. The
formation is 50 to 100 feet thick and has been used interchangeably with
"Upper Marshall" to describe the section from the Michigan series to the

fine grey to red micaceous saadstones of the Lower Marshall.

PLOTTING PhOCEDUhE

A well in Union Township in Isabella County, serves to furnish data
for the sample calculations in this report. The well is located in the
SD l/h, NB l/h, SE l/h of section 7 at a surface elevation of 617 feet
above sea level.

For purposes of plotting the location, the position of the well is
properly superimposed on a transparent overlay sheet, under which is placed
a base map of the central Michigan area. The base map is contoured at 1C0
foot intervals on the "raised" basinal dip surface. The well is spotted
on the -730 foot contour of the basinal dip surface. Intermediate values
between the 100 foot contours must necessarily be interpolated. The

interpolated value, as read from the datum surface, is algebraically sub-

tracted from the height of the well above sea level as follows:

12

Height of well _ Interpolated _ Depth from collar of

above sea level basinal dip value well which formation is
' read on the record.
817 feet - (-730 feet) = 15A? feet

A glance at the well record shows that at the calculated depth of
15h? feet a white sand of the Napoleon formation is indicated. A symbol
or color is marked at the well position on the overlay sheet to designate
the Napoleon formation.

Areas of formations older or younger than the Napoleon are departures
from the basinal dip surface. Older formations suggest anticlinal areas,
which may be favorable for oil accumulation, while younger formations
suggest synclinal structures. The basinal dip surface is so constructed
that if there were no local departures from the basinal dip surface, the
Napoleon formation would be found at any arbitrary depth on the datum
surface.

The last step in the construction of paleogeologic maps involves the

drawing of formational boundaries between the older and younger formations

after the well data for each county are placed on the overlay sheet.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN PALLOOLOLOO‘

The paleogeology of central Michigan based on a raised curved surface
is illustrated on Map II, which shows that formations other than the
Napoleon may be expected at a given depth below sea level, and that the
pattern of distribution resembles that of an areal geologic map. Anti-
clinal structures are suggested by areas of older formations bordered, or

surrounded by younger formations.

13

Many of the suggested anticlines are reflected by underlying
structures. The Chippewa-Greendale anticline in Isabella and Midland
Counties, reflects structure from depth. Anticlinal structures reflected
in younger formations are broader than those at greater depth.

A broad belt of the Napoleon formation is evident throughout the
central part of Osceola, Isabella, and Gratiot counties. The datum surface

closely corresponds to the Napoleon-Lower Marshall contact within this belt.

LIMITATIONS

The northern and northeastern parts of Map II in Arenac, Clare, and
Osceola Counties show areas of the Goldwater formation which are strati-
graphically low in comparison to the Napoleon datum. These areas suggest
paleogeologic "highs" but do not correspond everywhere to structural con-
tour "highs" .

The comparatively large mapped area of the Goldwater formation shown
on.Map II is undoubtedly due to changes in thickness of the stratigraphic
interval between the base of the Traverse and the Napoleon. An additional
correction factor must be made to compare all plotted data on the map to
the Napoleon horizon.

The necessity of this correction factor is substantiated by the
record of a well at 7hh feet in the No l/h, SE l/h, Nb l/h of Section 28
in Beaverton Township, Gladwin.County. At this location the thickness
between the top of the Napoleon and the base of the Traverse is 2,b65 feet
and the upper datum horizon is 2200 feet above the base of the Traverse

(Fig. h). By employing a Napoleon-Traverse iSOpach it can be proven that

FIGURE -4

APPLICATION OFA REGIONAL ISOPACH TO THE DATUM
SURFACE.

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OSCEOLA

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15

there is a differential thickness of 266 feet between the upper datum
surface and the iSOpach value. The descrepancy of 266 feet may be adjusted
by a calculation which includes variations in thickness. A sample calcu—
lation explaining the apparently anomalous position of the Goldwater-mapped
at this location is as follows:

H - [Y + Z] = X
where:

H = Height of the well above sea level

Y Upper datum surface contour

Z

Differential thickness
X = Corrected depth from well collar which is read on the
published record.
7th feet - (-950 + 266 feet) = 1h28 feet.

At the depth of lh28 feet on the well record the Napoleon formation
is indicated, where formerly a "high" suggested by the Goldwater was
recorded. The Napoleon does not suggest a paleogeological "high", but
rather an horizon close to the upper basinal dip surface. As a result
then, this location would not be worthy of exploration.

It is suggested that paleogeologic maps constructed from a curved
datum surface be corrected by the use of an iSOpaoh map determined from
the sequence of formations employed as subdivisions, such as the Marshall-
Traverse used in this report.

The construction of an iSOpach map should precede the drawing of a
paleogeologic map. Relatively few deep wells are sufficient to construct
an iSOpaCh map and shallow wells may furnish the paleogeological data

required.

CO NC LU SIC N S

Subsurface interpretation by studies in paleogeology are admittedly
generalized in any area of exploration. Favorable structure may be
indicated by interpretation of paleogeologic maps, but because of the I
general nature of exploratory drilling programs and the relatively small
areas which are favorable for accumulation, many structures will be over-
looked.

Much of the expense in drilling test wells in the unexplored northern
Michigan counties can be reduced by the construction and interpretation of
paleogeologic maps. By merely identifying the formation found at the
basinal dip surface, geologists can ascertain whether or not the area is
favorable as to subsurface structure, and need not drill to a deeper
marker formation if the information is unfavorable.

Favorable structures are suggested by areas of "old" rock in relation
to the datum formation of a sequence chosen for stratigraphic divisions,
while synclinal areas are in turn suggested by younger formations.
Corrections for change of the "deep" basinal dip and "upper datum surface"
are necessary. ’

Datum horizons too deep to be of economic value in central Michigan
paleogeological studies may be employed near the periphery of the basin
structure. Paleogeological studies may be of considerable importance in
determining the structural relationships of older formations such as the
Goldwatereflntrim sequence in the northern counties of the Lower Peninsula.
Here the younger rock strata which occur in the upper horizons in the

central basin have been removed by glacial and pre-glacial erosion.

O\

1?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

. Cohee, G. V. (19L5), Lithology and Thickness of the Dundee Formation

 

 

and the Rogers City Limestone in the Michigan Basin, U. S.
Geol. Survey Oil and Gas Inv. ,Preliminary Chart 38.

 

 

. Colten, R. B. (19h7), Personal communication to W. A. Kelly.

. Ballard, N. (l9h2), Regional Geology of the Dakota Basin, Am. Assoc.

Petrol. Geol. Bull. ., vol. 2:1, pp. 1551-158h.

 

 

Ear dley, A. J. (1951), Structural Geology pf North America, Harper
Bros. ,New York.

 

 

. Kay, G. M. (l9h5), Paleogeographic and Palinspastic Maps, Am. Assoc.

Petrol. Geol. Bu11., vol. 29, pp. h2o-hSO.

 

 

. Levorsen, A. I. (1931), Pennsylvanian Overlap in the United States,

g3, Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull vol. 15, pp. 113-1A8.

'3

 

 

 

 

 

 

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8. Martin, H. .(193o), The Centennial lap of the Southern Peninsula of
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9. McClellan, H -" (1930), Subsurface Distribution of the Preéhississip-

10.

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pian hooks of Kansas and Oklahoma, Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol.
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Papers Mich. Acad. Science, vol. 1h, pp. h87-h96.

 

Weirich, T. E. (1929), Cushing Oil and Gas Field, Creek County,
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khite, L. H. (1929), Subsurface Distribution of the Pre-Chattanooga
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Survey Bull. hO—B.

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PALEOGEOLOGY OF CENTRAL MICHlGAN

LEGEND

 

UPPER MIGHIGAN
MIDDLE MICHIGAN
LOWER MICHIGAN

NAPOLEON
LOWER MARSHALL

' GOLDWATER

SCALE: I iNch=4mi|es

 

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