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Geologic Unit: Elm Branch
Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Elm Branch shale
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
Publication:

Jewett, J.M., 1932, Brief discussion of the Bronson group in Kansas, IN Carboniferous rocks of eastern Kansas, eastern Nebraska, and western Missouri: Kansas Geological Society Guidebook for the Annual Field Conference, August 28-September 3, 1932, no. 6, p. 99-104.


Summary:

Pg. 99, 101, 103. Elm Branch shale will be proposed by Newell to include strata overlying Sniabar limestone and underlying Middle Creek limestone. Where these limiting limestones are present in Kansas the thickness ranges from about 5 to 12 feet and it contains local beds of limestone less than 1 foot thick. Age is Late Pennsylvanian (Missouri age).
[Origin of name not stated.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 638).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Elm Branch shale member
  • Modifications:
    • Original reference
  • Dominant lithology:
    • Shale
Publication:

Moore, R.C., 1932, A reclassification of the Pennsylvanian system in the northern Midcontinent region, IN Carboniferous rocks of eastern Kansas, eastern Nebraska, and western Missouri: Kansas Geological Society Guidebook for the Annual Field Conference, August 28-September 3, 1932, no. 6, p. 79-98., See also "Modern classifications of the Pennsylvanian rocks of eastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska," compiled by M.G. Wilmarth, Secretary of Committee on Geologic Names, USGS unpub. corr. chart, Oct. 1936, sheet 2


Summary:

Pg. 85, 90, 97. Elm Branch shale member of Swope formation of Bronson group. [See under Swope formation.] Named by N.D. Newell. Age is Late Pennsylvanian (Missouri age).

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 638); GNC KS-NE Pennsylvanian Corr. Chart, sheet 2, Oct. 1936.


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Elm Branch shale
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
Publication:

Ver Wiebe, W.A., and Vickery, W.R., 1932, Index to stratigraphy of eastern Kansas and adjoining areas, IN Carboniferous rocks of eastern Kansas, eastern Nebraska, and western Missouri: Kansas Geological Society Guidebook for the Annual Field Conference, August 28-September 3, 1932, no. 6, p. 105-120.


Summary:

Pg. 117. Used Elm Branch shale for beds underlying Middle Creek limestone and overlying Sniabar limestone; as did R.C. Moore and G.E. Condra in their Oct. 1932 revised classification of Pennsylvanian of Kansas and Nebraska, and J.M. Jewett (Kansas Acad. Sci. Trans., v. 36, 1933, p. 132). Age is Late Pennsylvanian (Missouri age).

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 638).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Elm Branch shale
  • Modifications:
    • Areal extent
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Iowa shelf
Publication:

Condra, G.E., and Upp, J.E., 1933, The Middle River traverse of Iowa: Nebraska Geological Survey Paper, no. 4, 31 p.


Summary:

Pg. 7. In Madison County, Iowa, Elm Branch shale underlies Middle Creek limestone, overlies Sniabar ("Hertha") limestone, and consists of (descending): (1) gray calcareous chale, fossiliferous at top, 1 foot 10 inches; (2) limestone-mudstone, dark gray, probably not persistent, 1+ foot; (3) gray argillaceous shale, 4 feet; (4) limestone-mudstone, dark gray, uneven, 1 foot 3 inches; (5) gray shale with poorly defined reddish subzone near base, 6+/- feet. Age is Pennsylvanian.
[Origin of name not stated.]

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 638).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Elm Branch shale
  • Modifications:
    • Not used
Publication:

Newell, N.D., 1935, The geology of Johnson and Miami Counties, Kansas: Kansas Geological Survey Bulletin, no. 21, pt. 1, p. 7-150., Issued May 15, 1935. See also "Modern classifications of the Pennsylvanian rocks of eastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska," compiled by M.G. Wilmarth, Secretary of Committee on Geologic Names, USGS unpub. corr. chart, Oct. 1936, sheet 2


Summary:

Pg. 19. †Elm Branch shale. Called the shale underlying Middle Creek limestone and overlying Hertha (Sniabar) limestone the Ladore shale, and apparently discarded Elm Branch shale.

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 638); GNC KS-NE Pennsylvanian Corr. Chart, sheet 2, Oct. 1936.


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Elm Branch shale†
  • Modifications:
    • Abandoned
Publication:

Moore, R.C., 1936, Stratigraphic classification of the Pennsylvanian rocks of Kansas: Kansas Geological Survey Bulletin, no. 22, 256 p., See also "Modern classifications of the Pennsylvanian rocks of eastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska," compiled by M.G. Wilmarth, Secretary of Committee on Geologic Names, USGS unpub. corr. chart, Oct. 1936, sheet 2


Summary:

Pg. 82. Formally discarded †Elm Branch shale.

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 896, p. 638); GNC KS-NE Pennsylvanian Corr. Chart, sheet 2, Oct. 1936.


For more information, please contact Nancy Stamm, Geologic Names Committee Secretary.

Asterisk (*) indicates published by U.S. Geological Survey authors.

"No current usage" (†) implies that a name has been abandoned or has fallen into disuse. Former usage and, if known, replacement name given in parentheses ( ).

Slash (/) indicates name conflicts with nomenclatural guidelines (CSN, 1933; ACSN, 1961, 1970; NACSN, 1983, 2005, 2021). May be explained within brackets ([ ]).

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