Salina Group

Salina Group
Stratigraphic range: Homerian-Přídolí
~430–420 Ma
Halite (Salina Group, Silurian; Detroit Salt Company mine, Detroit, Michigan, USA)
TypeGeological group
Unit ofCayugan Series
Sub-unitsAppalachian Basin & Michigan Basin

Illinois Basin

UnderliesHelderberg Group
OverliesLockport Group & Bloomsburg Formation
Lithology
PrimaryDolomite & Shale
OtherAnhydrite, Limestone, Gypsum & Halite
Location
RegionAppalachian Basin & Michigan Basin of eastern North America
CountryUnited States of America and Canada
Type section
Named forSalt found within the formation
Named byJames Dwight Dana

The Salina Group or Salina Formation is a Late Silurian-age, Stratigraphic unit of sedimentary rock that is found in Northeastern and Midwestern North America. Named for its Halite beds, the phrase "Salina Group" was first used as a descriptive term by James D. Dana in 1863.[1]

Figure 1: Extent of the Silurian salt deposits in Michigan, Ohio, New York, and adjacent states[2]

The Salina is an extensive formation. It ranges from West Virginia up through Pennsylvania into Ohio and then Michigan in the United States, and from Pennsylvania into New York. It is also found in the Canadian province of Ontario. (See Figure 1.)

The thickness of the Salina Group varies greatly within the two basins, ranging from 84 feet in the southwestern corner of Michigan to an estimated 5,000 feet in that state's Gladwin County.[3]

This formation is of economic importance for salt mining, oil reservoir creation,[4] gypsum mining,[5] and potential natural gas storage.[6] Research has also been done on the viability of storing radioactive waste in the salt beds of the Salina.[7]

  1. ^ Elowski, Ronald C. (1980). "GIMDL-RI25.PDF" (PDF). State of Michigan.
  2. ^ Norris, Stanley E. (1978). "HYDROLOGIC ENVIRONMENT OF THE SILURIAN SALT DEPOSITS IN PARTS OF MICHIGAN, OHIO, AND NEW YORK" (PDF). United States Geological Survey.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Ells, Garland D. (April 1958). "PROGRESS REPORT NUMBER EIGHTEEN Notes on the Devonian-Silurian in the Subsurface of Southwest Michigan" (PDF). State of Michigan - michigan.gov.
  5. ^ Stone, R.W (1920). "GYPSUM DEPOSITS OF THE UNITED STATES" (PDF). United States Geological Survey.
  6. ^ Carter, Kristin M.; Patchen, Douglas G.; Moore, Jessica P.; Fakhari, Mohammad; Daft, Jr., Gary W.; Solis, Michael; Dunst, Brian J.; Anthony, Robin V.; Metz, Kyle (August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017). "A Geological Study to Determine the Potential to Create an Appalachian Storage Hub for Natural Gas Liquids" (PDF). West Virginia Geological Survey.
  7. ^ PIERCE, W. G.; RICH, E. I. (1962). "Summary of Rock Salt Deposits in the United States as Possible Storage Sites for Radioactive Waste Materials" (PDF). United States Geological Survey.