Black shale studies in Kentucky. Quarterly report

Work during the quarter was devoted to final interpretation, integration, and compilation of surface stratigraphic and petrologic data into deliverable documents for DOE, MERC. As of September, two such documents have been prepared. A thesis on black-shale outcrop stratigraphy from the two eastern Kentucky outcrop belts has been completed and will be included with the annual report and a thesis on the thin-section petrology of three eastern Kentucky cores has also been completed and will be included with the annual report. Also during this quarter the transition to two new parts of the project was started including map compilation and a paleontological--paleoecological study. Compilation of isopach, lithofacies, and structural contour maps depends largely on completion of the well-log inventory from which all the data are generated. At present, well-log inventories for 37 of the 41 eastern Kentucky counties (90%) have been completed. Work has begun, however, on compiling data from the completed county inventories. Work has also begun on the paleontological--paleoecological portion of the project. A research assistant has been found to complete a thesis study on this part of the project and he is currently engaged in preliminary research