Open AccessQuantitative bedrock geology of the conterminous United States of America
Author(s) -
PeuckerEhrenbrink Bernhard,
Miller Mark W.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.928
H-Index - 136
ISSN - 1525-2027
DOI - 10.1029/2002gc000366
Subject(s) - geology , bedrock , lithology , geologic map , geological survey , ultramafic rock , sedimentary rock , paleontology , geomorphology
We quantitatively analyze the area‐age distribution of bedrock based on data from the most recent geologic map of the conterminous United States of America [ King and Beikman , 1974a, 1974b], made available in digital form by the United States Geologic Survey. The area‐age distribution agrees surprisingly well with older data [ Higgs , 1949] but provides much higher temporal resolution. The mean stratigraphic age of all sedimentary bedrock is ∼134 Myr; that of Tertiary‐Cambrian sediments is ∼104 Myr. The analysis also reveals area coverage of some minor lithologies, such as ultramafic rocks that cover ∼0.15% of the conterminous United States. Area coverage of 162 lithostratigraphic units is made available as an Excel data sheet.