The National Geologic Map Database is migrating to a new infrastructure. We apologize for any service disruptions during this process.

U.S. Geological Survey Home AASG Logo USGS HOME CONTACT USGS SEARCH USGS
National Geologic Map Database
Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • French Lick coal member
  • Modifications:
    • Original reference
  • Dominant lithology:
    • Coal
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Illinois basin
Publication:

Gray, H.H., Jenkins, R.D., and Weidman, R.H., 1960, Geology of the Huron area, south-central Indiana: Indiana Geological Survey Bulletin, no. 20, 78 p.


Summary:

Pg. 26, 27, pl. 1. French Lick coal member of Mansfield formation. Important stratigraphic marker or key bed about 50 feet below top of lower unit of Mansfield. Average thickness about 1 foot. Coal named by D.W. Franklin (1939, unpub. thesis). Franklin's type section for coal, in SW/4 NW/4 sec. 4, T. 2 N., [sic] R. 2 W., not located. Another locality noted which may be one to which Franklin referred. Age is Pennsylvanian.
Type locality: quarry and mine in NE/4 NE/4 sec. 5, T. 1 N., R. 2 W., approx. 1 mi west of town of French Lick, Orange Co., south-central IN. Named from French Lick.

Source: US geologic names lexicon (USGS Bull. 1200, p. 1428-1429).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • French Lick Coal Member
  • Modifications:
    • Overview
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Illinois basin
Publication:

Shaver, R.H., Ault, C.H., Burger, A.M., Carr, D.D., Droste, J.B., Eggert, D.L., Gray, H.H., Harper, Denver, Hasenmueller, N.R., Hasenmueller, W.A., Horowitz, A.S., Hutchison, H.C., Keith, B.D., Keller, S.J., Patton, J.B., Rexroad, C.B., and Wier, C.E., 1986, Compendium of rock-unit stratigraphy in Indiana; a revision: Indiana Geological Survey Bulletin, no. 59, 203 p.


Summary:

Pg. 49, pls. French Lick Coal Member, in basal part of Mansfield Formation of Raccoon Creek Group. Commercially mined coal. Present in Orange, Martin, and Dubois Counties, south-central Indiana. Described by Franklin (1939, unpub. thesis) as bright, blocky, 2.4 feet (0.7 m) thick, and having no partings. Roof generally thin carbonaceous shale overlain by sandy siltstone; floor is underclay. Lies immediately below or close to so-called Hindostan Whetstone Beds, and 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 m) below Pinnick Coal Member. Called Coal I by Ashley (1899, p. 1086). Age is Early Pennsylvanian (Morrowan). Report includes map of type sections-localities-areas, correlation chart.

Source: Publication.


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 ([ ]).

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

USA Gov U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
Supported by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
Page Contact Information: Personnel
Page Last Modified: Thu 21 May 2026 06:14:26 PM MDT