Licking Creek limestone, introduced by Swartz (1938: [Abs] GSA Bull., v. 49, no. 12, pt. 2, p. 1923) for a late Helderbergian limestone in south-central Pennsylvania is here more fully described. At base is medium-bedded black chert in irregular layers interbedded with limestone. Above is thick-bedded light-gray crystalline limestone with a few nodules and layers of chert; this is overlain by light-gray limestone with numerous layers of black chert. At top of unit is thick-bedded light-gray chert-free crystalline limestone. Thickness 87 ft in type section where unit underlies Ridgeley formation and overlies beds tentatively considered Mandata shale (new name). Extends southward in narrow belt through MD, WV, and VA. In VA it had been called the Becraft by Swartz (1930).

Source: GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Reston GNULEX).

Conodont biostratigraphy indicates that the Licking Creek Limestone of the Helderberg Group in the Winchester 30 X 60 minute quadrangle is of Early Devonian (Lochkovian and Pragian?) age. Conodonts from the I. WOSCHMIDTI Zone were recovered from the basal 1 meter and conodonts from the E. S. SULCATUS or E. S. KINDLEI Zone were recovered from the upper part.

Source: GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Reston GNULEX).