Paleozoic Sea-Level Changes in the Appalachian Basin

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Field Trip Guidebooks Series, Volume 354.

One of the great geologic advances of the last 15 years has been increased recognition of global cycles of sea-level change, and their effects on the stratigraphic record and localization of economic products from the earth. Field Trip T354 for the 28th International Geological Congress will demonstrate the geologic effects of Paleozoic sea-level change in the Appalachian basin strata within 300 miles (500 kilometers) of the Congress headquarters site. Figure 1 shows the location of the Appalachian basin and other areas with great thicknesses of Paleozoic strata within the conterminous United States. The Appalachian basin contains one of the most nearly complete Paleozoic stratigraphic sections in North America, and this presents an opportunity for Congress participants to make detailed comparisons with sea-level history in regions more familiar to them.