Correlation of the African Silurian Rocks

Revised stratigraphy and correlations of the Niagaran provincial series (Medina, Clinton, and Lockport groups) in the type area of western New York

“…The authors agree with Berry and Boucot (1970) and herein restrict the use of Niagaran Provincial Series to the recommended geographical area. British Series names (Llandoverian, Wenlockian, and Ludlovian) are used throughout the text, however, to assist the reader in correlation of the New York Silurian units with strata elsewhere.…”

“…The Medina, Clinton, and Lockport Groups were included in the Niagaran Series by Rickard (1975) and that usage is followed herein. Berry and Boucot ( 1970) emphasize that the only diagnostic fauna within the New York Silurian is that of the Niagaran Series, which is the only Silurian subdivision that can be demonstrably recognized outside the type area. Because the term Niagaran has become essentially synonymous with Silurian in the western part of North America, Berry and Boucot ( 1970) suggest that the Series nomenclature of the British Silurian be used for the Silurian of North America.…”

“…Berry and Boucot ( 1970) emphasize that the only diagnostic fauna within the New York Silurian is that of the Niagaran Series, which is the only Silurian subdivision that can be demonstrably recognized outside the type area. Because the term Niagaran has become essentially synonymous with Silurian in the western part of North America, Berry and Boucot ( 1970) suggest that the Series nomenclature of the British Silurian be used for the Silurian of North America. They recommend restriction of the New York Silurian terminology to that area in which the units can be traced on a lithologic and stratigraphic basis.…”

“…*** It is recommended that North Americans discontinue the futile efforts to use the New York section as a standard for purposes of correlation. (Paraphrased from Berry and Boucot ( 1970) and published with permission of the authors. )…”

“…Lukasik's (1988) work on the lithostratigraphy of Silurian rocks in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia was useful in determining regional correlations. References helpful in tracing nomenclatural history include Wilmarth (1938), Keroher and others (1966), Keroher ( 1970), Berry and Boucot ( 1970), and others (1981, 1991). Formation and member names that are not formally accepted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) but are mentioned in some form (for example, they may be shown as formations rather than members as above) in the USGS lexicons of geologic names (Wilmarth, 1938;Keroher and others, 1966;Keroher, 1970;Luttrell and others, 1981;and Luttrell and others, 1991) * Name formally accepted by USGS for usage in areas other than New York…”