Washington Formation | |
---|---|
Stratigraphic range: Permian | |
Type | Formation |
Unit of | Dunkard Group[1] |
Sub-units | Upper Washington Jollytown coal |
Underlies | Greene Formation |
Overlies | Waynesburg Formation |
Lithology | |
Primary | limestone, sandstone, coal |
Other | shale |
Location | |
Region | Ohio and West Virginia |
Country | United States |
The Washington Formation is a coal, sandstone, and limestone geologic formation located in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.[1] It dates back to the Lower Permian period, with its base at or near the Permian/Carboniferous boundary.[2] [3] The Washington formation and the Dunkard Group as a whole was deposited at a time when the continents were in the process of forming the "Super Continent" Pangaea as well as a gradual drop in sea levels.[4] The result during this period was coals being thinner and impure with high ash content. The limestones found with in the formation are exclusively freshwater deposits.