Text and References To 

Accompany "Map Showing the 

Thickness and Character of 

Quaternary Sediments in the 

Glaciated United States East of the 

Rocky Mountains" 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1921 
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Text and References To 

Accompany "Map Showing the 

Thickness and Character of 

Quaternary Sediments in the 

Gl.aciated United States East of the 

Rocky Mountains" 

By DAVID R. SOllER 

A discussion of map components and sediment distribution and 

lists of references for a regional, three-dimensional map of 

glacial deposits 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SU.RVEY BULLETIN 1921 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

MANUEL LUJAN, Jr., Secretary 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

DALLAS L. PECK, Director 

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for 

descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the 

U.S. Government 

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1992 

For sale by 

Book and Open-File Report Sales 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Federal Center, Box 25425 

De.nver, CO 80225 

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data 

Soller, D.R. (David R.J 

Text and references to accompany Map showing the thickness and character 

of Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of the Rocky 

Mountains I by David R. Soller. 

p. em. - (U.S. Geological Survey bulletin ; 1921) 

Includes bibliographical references 

Supt. of Docs. no.: I 19.3:1921 

1. Geology, Stratigraphic-Quaternary. 2. Geology-United States. 3. Glacial 

epoch-United States. 4. Sediments (Geology)-United States. I. Soller, 

D.R. (David R.). Map showing the thickness and character of Quaternary 

sediments in the glaciated United States east of the Rocky Mountains. II. 

Title. Ill. Series. 

QE75.B9 no. 1921 

[QE696] 

557.3 s-dc20 90-3388 

[551.7'9'0974] CIP 
CONTENTS 

Abstract 1 

Section l-Map Description and General Comments 1 

Introduction 1 

Acknowledgments 2 

Digital Map Production and the Base Map 4 

Map Units 4 

Surficial Mapping S 

Till 5 

Stratified Sediment 5 

Coarse-Grained Stratified Sediment 5 

Fine-Grained Stratified Sediment 6 

Organic-Rich Sediment 8 

Loess 8 

Patchy Quaternary Sediment 9 

Geology Beneath Bodies of Water 9 

Thickness Mapping 9 

Subsurface Mapping 10 

Factors Affecting Sediment Texture and Distribution 11 

Sediment Texture 11 

Sediment Distribution 12 

Summary 15 

References Cited 18 

Section 2-Sources and Reliability of Map Data 20 

Connecticut 20 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 20 

Thickness Information 20 

Illinois 21 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 21 

Thickness Information 21 

Indiana 21 

Surficial Information 22 

Thickness Information 22 

Iowa 22 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 23 

Thickness Information 23 

Kansas 23 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 23 

Thickness Information 23 

Kentucky 24 

Surficial, Stack-Unit, and Thickness Information 24 

Maine 29 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 30 

Thickness Information 30 

Additional Reference 30 

Contents Ill 
IV Contents 

Section 2-Sources and Reliability of Map Data-Continued 

Massachusetts 30 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 31 

Thickness Information 31 

Michigan 31 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 31 

Thickness Information 31 

Minnesota 32 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 32 

Thickness Information 32 

Missouri 33 

Surficial Information 33 

Thickness Information 33 

Montana 33 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 34 

Thickness Information 35 

Additional Reference 35 

Nebraska 35 

Surficial, Stack-Unit, and Thickness Information 35 

New Hampshire 36 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 36 

Thickness Information 37 

New Jersey 37 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 37 

Thickness Information 38 

New York 38 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 38 

Upstate New York 38 

Long Island 40 

Thickness Information 40 

Upstate New York 40 

Long Island, Staten Island, and Adjacent Waters 41 

Additional References 42 

North Dakota 42 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 43 

Thickness Information 43 

Additional Reference 43 

Ohio 43 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 44 

Thickness Information 44 

Pennsylvania 44 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 44 

Northeastern Pennsylvania 44 

Northwestern Pennsylvania 46 

Thickness Information 47 

Northeastern Pennsylvania 47 

Northwestern Pennsylvania 47 

Additional References 47 

Rhode Island 47 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 47 

Thickness Information 48 

South Dakota 48 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 48 

Thickness Information 49 
Section 2-Sources and Reliability of Map Data-Continued 

Vermont 49 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 49 

Thickness Information 49 

Additional References 50 

Wisconsin 50 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 50 

Thickness Information 51 

Great Lakes 51 

Character of Lake-Bottom Sediments 52 

Thickness of Quaternary Sediment Beneath the Great Lakes 52 

Atlantic Offshore 52 

Character of Bottom Sediments 53 

Thickness of Quaternary Sediment 53 

Ontario, Canada 54 

FIGURES 

Surficial Information 54 

Thickness Information 54 

l. Index map showing outline of the four maps in this series (Soller, in pre~s 

a,b,c,d) 2 

2. Map showing the relative reliability of the surficial geologic data by State 6 

3. Diagram showing the range of particle sizes in the mapped surficial units 7 

4-7. Maps showing: 

4. Relative reliability of Quaternary sediment-thickness data by State 8 

5. Texture of surficial till 12 

6. General lithology of bedrock directly beneath the Quaternary 

sediments 14 

7. Thickness (simplified) of Quaternary sediments within the mapped 

area 16 

8. Cross sections showing the relations among bedrock topography, Quaternary sediment thickness, and ice lobation 17 

METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS 

For readers who wish to convert measurements from the inch-pound system of units to the 

metric system of units, the conversion factors are listed below: 

Multiply inch-pound unit 

square mile (me) 

foot (ft) 

By 

2.590 

.3048 

To obtain metric unit 

square kilometer (km2

) 

meter (m) 

Contents V 
Text and References To Accompany "Map Showing 

the Thickness and Character of Quaternary 

Sediments in the Glaciated United States East of the 

Rocky Mountains" 

By David R. Soller 

Abstract 

A 1 :1,000,000-scale map of Quaternary deposits has 

been compiled for the glaciated area of the United States 

east of the Rocky Mountains (that is, the area covered by 

the Laurentide ice sheets). Parts of southern Ontario, 

areas beneath the Great Lakes, and parts of the submerged eastern seaboard are also included on the map. 

The map has three components that, together, provide 

the first regional three-dimensional view of these deposits. These map components are the surface distribution of 

Quaternary sediments, the total thickness of Quaternary 

sediments, and the distribution of significant buried Quaternary units. For many areas, this is the first map of 

Quaternary sediment thickness published at any scale. 

This report provides supporting information for the map, 

preliminary interpretations of sediment distribution, and 

the list of geologic sources used to generate the map. 

Within the mapped area, there is a particular need 

for three-dimensional geologic mapping to support decisions on water resources and land use. Approximately 40 

percent of the U.S. population resides within the mapped 

area, which is less than one-quarter the size of the 

conterminous United States. This map is intended to 

supplement the more detailed mapping on which it is 

based and is designed to be a regional planning tool. 

Through the Pleistocene, large deposits of thick 

glacial sediment accumulated between certain late Wisconsinan glacial lobes, on bedrock topographic highs, 

whereas relatively thin deposits generally accumulated in 

the adjacent bedrock lowlands occupied by drainage and 

ice lobes. The lithology of the bedrock and its resistance 

to erosion in part controlled the patterns of ice lobation 

and the distribution of thick sediment. On a local scale, 

the spatial relation of these sediment masses to ice lobation has been suggested in places, and a regional correlation may have been assumed. This map provides the first 

comprehensive, regional view of glacial sediment thickness to permit such a correlation to be assessed. 

Manuscript approved for publication March 21, 1990. 

SECTION 1-MAP DESCRIPTION 

AND GENERAL COMMENTS 

INTRODUCTION 

This Bulletin is a companion to a series of four 

1:1,000,000-scale maps that portray the thickness and 

character of Quaternary sediments within a part of the area 

covered by the Laurentide ice sheets (Soller, in press 

a,b,c,d). The mapped area encompasses the glaciated 

United States east of the Rocky Mountains and also includ~s 

parts of southern Ontario, areas beneath the Great Lakes, 

and part of the Atlantic offshore area (fig. 1). This series of 

maps, hereafter referred to in places as the "Quaternary 

sediments map," is a result of regional synthesis and 

interpretation of available Quaternary geologic data, 

derived from about 850 sources of information. This section 

describes the map units, map compilation, and regional 

patterns of sediment distribution, whereas section 2 

contains the geologic source data and a qualitative 

assessment of data reliability for each State. 

The three components of the map combine to provide 

the first regional, three-dimensional view of these deposits. 

These map components are the surface distribution of 

Quaternary sediments, the total thickness of Quaternary 

sediments, and the distribution of significant buried Quaternary units. Quaternary sediments include glacial and Holocene sediments. Subsurface information is not available for 

most of the mapped area, and, therefore, the depiction of 

buried units is uneven. Where buried units are shown, the 

complex geologic settings in which they occur are greatly 

simplified because of the small scale of this map series. 

This map differs in concept from most published 

State and regional glacial geologic maps, which generally 

use stratigraphic or geomorphic map units. Those maps 

show the chronology of geologic events such as ice 

Introduction 
advances or retreats, as determined by the glacial deposits at 

the surface. Regional maps of continental glacial deposits 

such as the "Glacial Map of the United States East of the 

Rocky Mountains" (Flint, 1959) and the "Quaternary Geologic Atlas of the United States" (for example, Lineback 

and others, 1983) are examples of the traditional, eventoriented approach to mapping. The Quaternary sediments 

map complements event-oriented maps by showing the 

thickness and character of glacial sediments without regard 

to age of the deposit. 

Population growth and the resulting increase in 

demand for agricultural production, construction materials, 

land development, waste-disposal sites, and ground-water 

resources have created a growing need for geologic maps 

that can be directly applied to hydrologic, environmental, 

and land-use problems. The type of geologic map most 

appropriate for these applications depicts the texture and 

other physical aspects of the sediments or rocks to a 

specified depth; in other words, it is a texturally oriented, 

three-dimensional geologic map. An effective technique for 

three-dimensional geologic mapping and applications to 

hydrogeologic and land-use studies was discussed by 

Kempton and Cartwright (1984). Their technique is based 

on three-dimensional lithostratigraphic mapping to a specified depth; map units show the vertical succession of 

deposits (the stack-unit concept discussed by Kempton, 

1981). These maps require detailed subsurface lithologic 

and stratigraphic information, surficial geologic mapping, 

and soil mapping. The stack-unit map can directly support 

water- and land-use studies, especially when combined with 

other data such as hydrogeologic, topographic, and land-use 

information. Examples of geologic map investigations that 

have been applied to water- and land-use issues include, but 

are certainly not limited to, the map folio of the Hartford 

North (Connecticut) quadrangle (Pessl and others, 1972), 

the San Francisco Bay region study (Kockelman, 1976), the 

Baltimore-Washington urban area study (Froelich and others, 1980), the urban-planning examples given in Robinson 

and Spieker (1978), and the county-scale geologic and 

planning studies in lllinois (Hackett and McComas, 1969; 

Bergstrom and others, 1976; Hunt and Kempton, 1977; 

Berg and others, 1984). 

The glaciated region of the United States depicted in 

this map series has a particular need for three-dimensional 

geologic mapping that can support decisions on waterresource and land-use issues including waste-disposal siting 

and non-point-source pollution. Approximately 40 percent 

of the U.S. population resides within the mapped area, 

which is less than one-quarter the size of the conterminous 

United States. The region also contains a major portion of 

the Nation's agricultural and industrial capacity. 

This map series is a regional overview of the threedimensional distribution of sediments for a large area and is 

intended to supplement the more detailed work on which it 

is based. I hope that this series of maps will generate 

108° 102° ss• so• 84° 

----,-~ l 

' I 

,_____ I \ 

~-- l --( 440 

400 

36° 

I -----~ 

I 

I 

I 

,___ 

I 

r---- : 

I ---..t.__ I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

--- 0 100 200 300 

0 100 200 300 400 KILOMETERS 

Figure 1. Index map showing outline of the four maps 

in this series (Soller, in press a,b,c,d). The mapped area 

is shaded. 

interest in more detailed three-dimensional geologic mapping of these, and other, deposits. Particularly in populated 

areas, detailed mapping is vital to the site-specific planning 

and assessment of the effects of human activities at and 

beneath the land surface. In contrast, regional maps such as 

the four maps of this series serve to place local, detailed 

mapping in context, to permit the extrapolation of data into 

unmapped areas, and to depict large-scale, regional geologic features and patterns that are beyond the scope of 

detailed, local mapping. This series of maps is also a 

regional planning document that can assist in setting priorities for areas in need of more detailed mapping; subsequent 

detailed mapping should then be incorporated into an 

updated regional map. Geologic mapping is an iterative 

process, and the maps of this series should be considered as 

only the initial regional view of the glacial sedimentary 

framework east of the Rocky Mountains. 

Acknowledgments 

During map compilation and production, I sought 

advice from many individuals in different disciplines. These 

I 

I 

I 

f----- -~ 

l 1 

'\ 

I 

~~ 

c----

--"-', ' 

\. 

,, 

I 

--~ '---

people have contributed to the generation of the map , and I 

am grateful for their help. I particularly thank Byron D. 

Stone of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for his 

suggestions on map concept and project scope, John P. 

Kempton and Richard C. Berg (Illinois State Geological 

Survey) for their encouragement to pursue new techniques, 

Kenneth J. Lanfear, Will R. Stettner, and James R. Estabrook (USGS) for assistance in the technical aspects of map 

digitization and production, and Carl Koteff (USGS) for his 

efforts in originating this project. 

I also thank the many geologists consulted during this 

map project for their willingness to share information and 

insight, for their advice on mapping interpretations, and for 

their comments during map review. Their names are listed 

below; I apologize if I have inadvertently omitted anyone. 

Atlantic offshore-Robert N. Oldale and Sally W. 

Needell (both USGS), Francis S. Birch (University of New 

Hampshire), Joseph T. Kelley (University of Maine), Ralph 

S. Lewis (Connecticut Geological and Natural History 

Survey). 

Connecticut-Janet R. Stone, John P. Schafer (both 

USGS). 

2 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 

78° n· 

\-'\970-A · press a) Soll r. IO 

-~ \ I 

'\-1-- t-

# 

ss· 

Great Lakes-Richard L. Thomas (International Joint 

Commission, Windsor, Ontario), C.F. Michael Lewis 

(Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova 

Scotia), Richard J. Wold (EG&G Geometries, Sunnyvale, 

Calif.), Peter G. Sly (Canada Centre for Inland Waters, 

Picton, Ontario), Norm A. Rukavina (Canada Centre for 

Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario), John P. Coakley 

(National Water Research Institute, Burlington, Ontario), 

David L. Gross (Illinois State Geological Survey), S. 

Jeffress Williams (USGS), Jonathan A. Fuller (Ohio Geological Survey), Allen S. Hunt (University of Vermont). 

Illinois-John P. Kempton , Richard C. Berg, Paul B. 

DuMontelle, Thomas M. Johnson, Leon R. Follmer, Myrna 

M. Killey, E. Donald McKay, Jerry R. Miller (all Illinois 

State Geological Survey). 

Indiana-Ned K. Bleuer, Gordon S. Fraser (both 

Indiana Geological Survey). 

Iowa-George R. Hallberg, Timothy J. Kemmis, 

Raymond R. Anderson (all Iowa Geological Survey). 

Kansas-Jane E. Denne (Kansas Geological Survey). 

Kentucky-Robert C. McDowell (USGS), Martin C. 

Noger (Kentucky Geological Survey). 

Introduction 3 
Maine-Woodrow B. Thompson, Marc C. Loiselle, 

E. Melanie Lanctot (all Maine Geological Survey). 

Massachusetts-Byron D. Stone (USGS)., 

Michigan-William R. Farrand (University of Michigan), Richard L. Rieck (Western Illinois University), 

Robert Reed, Richard P. Bissell, William A. Walden, D. 

Michael Bricker, Randall L. Milstein, Mick Jones (all 

Michigan Geological Survey). 

Minnesota-Howard C. Hobbs, Bruce M. Olsen, 

Gary Meyer (all Minnesota Geological Survey). 

Mississippi River-Ron Pearson (U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers, Rock Island, IlL), Mike Klosterman (U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis, Mo.), Terry Jorgenson (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul, Minn.). 

Missouri-James H. Williams, John W. Whitfield 

(both Missouri Division of Geology and Land Survey). 

Missouri River-Paul Barndt (U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers, Omaha, Neb.). 

Montana-Robert N. Bergantino (Montana Bureau 

of Mines and Geology), Roger B. Colton (USGS), Jack 

Rodgers, Robert Richardson (both U.S. Soil Conservation 

Service, Bozeman, Mont.), Ronald J. Soiseth (U.S. Bureau 

of Land Management, Mruta, Mont.), John Montain (Montana State University). 

Nebraska- Vince H. Dreeszen, James B. Swinehart, 

Raymond R. Burchett (all Nebraska Conservation and 

Survey Division), James L. Howerton (Nebraska Department of Roads). 

New Hampshire-John E. Cotton (USGS), Robert 

Davis (former New Hampshire State Geologist). 

New Jersey-Byron D. Stone (USGS), David P. 

Harper, Scott Stanford, Ron Witte (all New Jersey Geological Survey). 

New York-Allan D. Randall, Forest Lyford, 

Andrew Cohen, Richard K. Krulikas, Herbert T. Buxton 

(all USGS), Ernest H. Muller (Syracuse University), Parker 

E. Calkin (State University of New York, Buffalo), Donald 

H. Cadwell, Robert J. Dineen (both New York State 

Geological Survey). 

North Dakota-John P. Bluemle (North Dakota Geological Survey), Lee Clayton (Wisconsin Geological and 

Natural History Survey). 

Ohio-Dennis N. Hull, Sherry L. Weisgarber, Rene 

L. Fernandez, Mike Angle, C. Scott Brockman, Richard R. 

Pavey (all Ohio Division of Geological Survey), John 

Voytek (Ohio Division of Water), Stanley E. Norris 

(USGS, retired), Jane L. Forsyth (Bowling Green University), Richard P. Goldthwait (Ohio State University), Stanley M. Totten (Hanover College, Indiana). 

Ontario-Edward V. Sado, Peter Barrett, Robert J. 

Fulton, Robert Geddes (all Ontario Geological Sllrvey). 

.Pennsylvania-George- H. Crowl (Ohio Wesleyan 

University), Thomas M. Berg, William D. Sevon (both 

Pennsylvania Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey), Duane D. Braun (Bloomsburg University), John H. 

Williams, H.J. McCoy, Drew Davis, Jennifer Harden (all 

USGS). 

Rhode Island-Herbert Johnston, John P. Schafer 

(both USGS), J. Allan Cain (Rhode Island State Geologist). 

South Dakota-Jay P. Gilbertson, Cleo M. Christenson, George E. Duchossois, Dennis W. Tomhave, Lynn S. 

Hedges, Martin J. Jarrett (all South Dakota Geological 

Survey). 

Vermont-Charles A. Ratte (Vermont State Geologist), David Butterfield, James W. Ashley (both Vermont 

Agency of Environmental Conservation). 

Wisconsin-Lee Clayton, John W. Attig (both Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey), David M. 

Michelson (University of Wisconsin), Howard Lorenz 

(U.S. Soil Conservation Service, Marinette, Wis.). 

DIGITAL MAP PRODUCTION AND THE 

BASE MAP 

The maps of this series were produced by new digital 

cartographic techniques (Soller and others, 1990). Although 

a discussion of these techniques is not within the scope of 

this report, a few comments on digital map production and 

the base map are appropriate, because they affected map 

content. The Quaternary sediments map spans four map 

sheets (Soller, in press a,b,c,d). Each sheet comprises a 

hand-mosaicked group of 4°X6° quadningles from the 

International Map of the World Series (1:1,000,000 scale) 

or Army Map Service 1:1,000,000-scale maps. Because 

these map sheets include as much as 12° of latitude and 

longitude and because each quadrangle has unique projection parameters, the mosaic is not preeise. Between certain 

quadrangles, gaps exist in the base map. In order to 

preserve the registration of the geologic information to the 

base map without sacrificing the spatial integrity of the 

digital data, entire map sheets were not digitized. Rather, 

the four layers of geologic information shown on the map 

(that is, character Of sediments exposed at the surface, 

thickness of Quaternary sediments, buried units and surface 

veneer units, and miscellaneous point and line information) 

were digitized separately for each 4"x6" quadrangle and 

recombined onto the base map. 

MAP UNITS 

The map units depict the distribution of sediment 

textures at the surface, the total thickness of Quaternary 

sediments, and selected subsurface data. Different colors 

are used to depict surface sediment character, variations in 

color intensities depict thickness of Quaternary sediments, 

and overprinted patterns depict selected subsurface information. On these maps, Quaternary sediments include 

4 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
glacial and glacially related deposits, a minor amount of 

Pleistocene nonglacial sediments within the glaciated area, 

and Holocene sediments that may or may not overlie glacial 

deposits. The term "glacially related" refers to nonglacial 

sediments that owe their existence to the activity of glacial 

ice; for example, the lacustrine sediments deposited in 

outwash-dammed lakes in northern Kentucky and adjacent 

States by nonglacial streams. Areas of Quaternary colluvium not derived directly from glacial deposits are small 

and are not shown. 

Existing information from about 850 sources (see 

section 2) was compiled and reinterpreted to make the maps 

of this series. The density and detail of this information 

varied greatly over the region; detailed, sediment-based 

three-dimensional maps were published for some areas, 

whereas glacial geologic information was lacking for other 

areas. An assessment of data quality and reliability for both 

surficial and thickness information is provided on the 

Quaternary sediments map and in section 2 of this report. 

A three-dimensional map could show the nature and 

extent of every subsurface unit; however, subsurface data 

available for the mapped area were sparse, and only 

well-delineated buried units could be shown. Although 

subsurface stratigraphy is not well known, the total thickness of these glacial (and postglacial) deposits can be 

confidently estimated in most places. The Quaternary sediments map, therefore, through the thickness information, 

shows the generalized framework of the glacial deposits. 

An understanding of three-dimensional variations in sediment texture within the glacial deposits must come from 

future three-dimensional studies in greater detail. 

Surficial Mapping 

The quality of the surficial map data and extent of 

map coverage varied widely. A relative, and subjective, 

measure of the quality of the source maps and the resulting 

reliability of the surficial map data are shown in figure 2. In 

this context, the term "quality" refers to extent of coverage, 

level of detail, and suitability of the source maps for 

reinterpretation. 

In general, surficial map units are defined by terrain, 

map scale, and mapping approach (for example, stratigraphic, geomorphic, or sediment type). As a result, map 

units may not correlate with units on maps in nearby areas. 

For example, a map that emphasizes geologic events such 

as ice stillstand and moraine-building, or inundation by 

glacial lakes, may not correlate with an adjacent map 

showing kinds of surficial sediments; where the eventoriented map may show a moraine composed largely of till, 

the sediments-oriented map shows the actual distribution of 

sediment types without delineating the moraine. Although 

surficial geologic maps of one kind or another are available 

for much of the region, soil survey maps were used to assist 

in mapping areas where geologic data were sparse. In many 

areas, soil surveys were useful, but in some places, for 

example on till plains that were inundated by glacial lakes 

or where eolian sand or silt occurs as a veneer over glacial 

deposits, the soil surveys' usefulness is limited. In rare 

instances, only topographic map coverage was available, 

and it was used to interpolate between mapped areas. 

To achieve consistency in mapping across such a 

large area, and to unify the wide spectrum of mapping styles 

and glacial geologic settings, a simple, uniform classification of deposits was devised. This classification is based on 

the overall character of the sediment; here, "character" 

includes consideration of a sediment's lithology, grain size, 

sorting, stratification, and depositional environment and 

defines the texture of the sediment as well as its origin. 

These sediments are classified as glacial till (unsorted and 

unstratified sediment), coarse-grained stratified sediment, 

fine-grained stratified sediment, organic-rich sediment, and 

windblown sediment (mostly loess). Loess is largely silt; 

eolian sand is included in the category of coarse-grained 

stratified sediment and is mapped as a veneer (see section 

on "Subsurface Mapping"). 

Till 

Till, the most widespread map unit, consists of 

material deposited in contact with glacial ice; the other 

sediment units on this map were sorted and deposited by 

water or wind. Till is a poorly sorted and generally 

unstratified deposit composed of particles ranging in size 

from clay to large boulders (fig. 3). The relative proportions 

of these size fractions vary greatly, resulting in a range of 

texture from dense and compact clayey till, in which few 

grains are larger than sand size, to loose, sandy till 

containing abundant boulders and only small amounts of the 

finer size fractions. Because till covers much of the mapped 

area, a more comprehensive discussion of its texture is 

provided in the section on "Sediment Texture." 

Stratified Sediment 

Sediment released from melting glaciers is generally 

sorted by running water and is found as a stratified deposit 

in a variety of settings including glaciolacustrine, glaciofluvial, and outwash plain. These deposits are subdivided 

by grain size (fig. 3). However, as shown in figure 3 a11d 

discussed below, coarse-grained and fine-grained stratified 

deposits have overlapping textural ranges. 

Coarse-Grained Stratified Sedim~nt 

Deposits of coarse-grained stratified sediment generally consist of layered sand and gravel, with less common 

silt and clay beds, deposited in fluvial, glaciofluvial, 

Map Units 5 
EXPLANATION 

Relative reliability of mapping 

(.9 

z ~ U5 :J 

<{ co UJ <{ 

a: :J 

-

u UJ z a: 

-

Extent to which existing State maps 

were revised for this study 

I I Unrevised 

I / J Slightly revised 

40° 

110° 

I 

,___ ,,___ I __ 

-------, 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I r-----

r- I 

I ------...L..__ I --l 

--~ 

100° 

P/':2J Substantially revised 

RSX(j No available State map 

0 100 200 300 400 MILES 

Figure 2. Relative reliability of the surficial geologic data, 

by State, and the degree to which existing State surficial 

maps were revised for this study. The degree of revision 

largely reflects differences in the emphasis of available 

surficial mapping (for example, stratigraphy, geomorphology, or sediment type). The status and detail of surficial 

mapping vary greatly from State to State. For example, for 

deltaic, and outwash-plain settings. Holocene alluvium has 

also been included in this unit; in places, it is silty or clayey, 

and it may overlie glacial sand and gravel. In many valleys, 

thick glacial meltwater sediments underlie thin Holocene 

alluvium. During deposition of coarse-grained stratified 

sediment, changes in flow regime and sediment supply were 

common, and sediment texture varies correspondingly. 

Thus, some interbedded fine-grained sediment is included 

in this unit (see fig. 3). Eolian sand, which has a patchier 

and more limited distribution than loess, is likewise shown 

only as a veneer (of coarse-grained stratified sediment). 

In some areas, outwash in major valleys dammed 

tributary stream valleys, creating lakes behind the outwash. 

Late Wisconsinan lake sediments in tributaries in southern 

illinois, southern Indiana, and northern Kentucky formed in 

this way. In many places, these lakes formed outside the 

limit of glaciation and thus contain sediments of nonglacial 

or periglacial origin. Because these lake sediments are 

0 100 200 300 400 KILOMETERS 

Massachusetts and Connecticut, maps of surficial materials have been compiled at 1:125,000 scale from 1:24,000-

scale maps, and these data could be used in this map with 

no revision . For New York and New Hampshire, detailed 

surficial geologic mapping is sparse, and the data for this 

map had to be compiled from a combination of geologic 

reconnaissance, soil, and topographic maps. 

related to glacial action, they are included on the map. 

Some of these lake sediments and some fluvial deposits (for 

example, those along the western margin of the mapped 

area in Nebraska and in the Mississippi River valley in 

Missouri) are so far beyond the limit of glaciation that their 

relation to glacial processes is highly speculative. 

In Nebraska, near the western limit of glaciation, 

fluvial sand and gravel of Pleistocene age derived from 

western sources are interbedded with eastern-source glacial 

outwash. Of necessity , these western-source sediments 

have been included in this unit. Some of the section is 

interbedded loess, or loess reworked and deposited as a silty 

fluvial unit; this loess is especially common in the upper 

part of the section but could not be shown separately at this 

map scale. 

Fine-Grained Stratified Sediment 

Deposits of fme-grained stratified sediment generally 

are clay, silt, and very fine sand but include lesser amounts 

6 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 

I 

I 

------J 

go• so• 

.,'>-.~~-­

" ,J ----

70° 

L__ _____ _ .....d.---,---- -------- ? 

DIAMETER. IN INCHES 10 2.5 0.16 0.08 0.04 0.02 0.01 0.005 0.0025 0.00015 

DIAMETER. IN MILLIMETERS 

256 64 4 0.5 0.25 0.125 0.063 0.004 

Gravel I Sand 

Boulderslcobbles PebblesiGranulesl Very I Coarse (Medium Fine I Very Silt Clay I I --I Coarse 1 Fine 

I I i= COA SE RAIN ED, STRA IFIE I I I : FINE GRAINED I I I I I STRATIFI D 

TILL 

Figure 3. Range of particle sizes in the mapped surficial 

un its (adapted from Stone and others, 1979, figs. 2, 3). 

of coarser material (fig. 3), commonly as interbeds. Finegrained stratified sediments were deposited in quiet water, 

mostly in proglaciallakes. In some parts of the Great Lakes 

and the Atlantic offshore area, thick accumulations of 

Holocene mud overlie fme-grained stratified glacial-lake 

sediments; these muds are included in this map unit. This 

unit also includes the finer grained lake sediments that occur 

in tributaries dammed by outwash in major valleys outside 

the limit of glaciation. These deposits, as mentioned above, 

are inferred to be glacially related, but this inference is in 

some places highly speculative. 

On old lake plains, particularly around the Great 

Lakes, clayey till commonly has been winnowed by lake 

waters or has incorporated an earlier lake deposit. These 

tills may superficially resemble fme- or coarse-grained 

stratified lake sediments, but they retain essential characteristics of till and are mapped as such. On previous maps of 

this region (for example, Flint, 1959), these lake plains 

were largely mapped as lake sediment. In Montana and 

North Dakota, previous maps (Colton and others, 1961 , 

1963) showed proglacial lakes and inferred lake deposits; 

these deposits, however, are quite sparse and are not shown 

on the Quaternary ediments map. 

Map Units 7 
EXPLANATION 

Relative reliability of mapping 

I 

(.9 >- z I-

(f) :J 

<( a:l UJ <( 

a: :J 

-

u UJ z a: 

,....__ /L_ __ -------, 

I 

I 

-

I r-----

Extent to which existing State maps 

were revised for this study 

r- I 

I ------...L._ I --l 

I I Unrevised 

V ./1 Slightly revised 

V//1 Substantially revised 

~ No available State map 

Figure 4. Relative reliability of Quaternary sedimentthickness data, by State, and the degree to which existing 

State maps were revised for this study. The degree of 

revision reflects differences in the type of thickness data 

available and addition of new data by the author. The 

status and detail of thickness mapping vary greatly from 

State to State. For example, for Massachusetts and ConOrganic-Rich Sediment 

Organic-rich sediment, conststmg mostly of peat, 

swamp deposits, and marsh deposits, occurs on the youngest (late Wisconsinan) glacial deposits where postglacial 

drainage is poor. In most areas, it occurs in relatively small 

patches, but, in northern Minnesota, peat is extensive and 

covers a poorly drained part of the glacial Lake Agassiz 

basin. This unit is generally less than 20 ft thick; therefore, 

where the total thickness of Quaternary sediments exceeds 

the lowest thickness value mapped (50 ft), the unit is 

inferred to overlie older Quaternary sediment. In such 

areas, organic-rich sediment is depicted as a veneer, and the 

unit known or inferred to lie beneath it is also mapped. 

Methods for portraying the veneer and the underlying unit 

on the map are discussed in the "Subsurface Mapping" 

section and in the explanation on the maps. 

I 

I 

I 

---

I

t__ __ 

--- 1 

0 100 200 300 400 MILES 

0 100 200 300 400 KILOMETERS 

necticut, thickness mapping has been compiled at 

1:125,000 scale from detailed data, and the compilation 

could be used in this map with no revision. For New York 

and New Hampshire, information is sparse, and the thickness data for this map had to be gathered from widely 

scattered well-log data and a few geologic reports. 

loess 

Loess is windblown silt and lesser amounts of sand; 

it covers many upland areas in the Central United States 

(Thorp and Smith, 1952). Across the area depicted by this 

Quaternary sediments map, loess thicknesses range from 0 

to more than 100 ft, but loess is commonly less than 8 ft 

thick (Thorp and Smith, 1952) and in many places has been 

mixed into the underlying deposit by farm implements or 

natural processes. Although it is a widespread surface unit, 

loess is shown only where it exceeds 20 ft in thickness and 

then only as a veneer to avoid undue emphasis (see example 

in explanation on the maps and in the "Subsurface Mapping" section below). Loess is generally not shown over 

stratified deposits in stream valleys because it is assumed 

that late glacial and Holocene erosion has largely removed 

the loess or incorporated it into fluvial sediment (that is, 

8 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 

I 

I 

./""'~~" ---~ " 

,J ---- L.__ _____ _ ~---r---

------- ? 

into the coarse-grained stratified unit). However, near the 

glacial border in Nebraska, thick loess is mapped over 

outwash deposits. 

Patchy Quaternary Sediment 

Areas where Quaternary sediment does not blanket 

the surface are common in some places within the glacial 

limit. In those areas, patchy Quaternary sediment may 

occur with exposures of bedrock, of residuum, or of 

colluvium not derived from glacial deposits. The proportion 

of nonglacial to glacial material in these areas ranges from 

numerous isolated exposures of bedrock in an area of thin 

till to patchy, isolated exposures of till or stratified deposits 

on a bedrock landscape that has preserved little evidence of 

glaciation. In many areas, Quaternary sediment is absent or 

sparse both near the limit of glaciation and in mountainous 

or dissected areas within the glaciated region. Extensive 

areas of bedrock occur mostly in upland areas where 

Quaternary sediments are dominantly till. Therefore, the 

map color is the same for patchy sediment as for till, and a 

color pattern is used to distinguish it from areas of continuous till cover. In one broad area in the St. Lawrence 

lowland in northernmost New York near Lake Ontario, the 

patchy sediment is not till but is mostly fine-grained 

stratified deposits. 

Geology Beneath Bodies of Water 

Beneath the Atlantic Ocean, the Great Lakes, and 

some other large lakes, the materials are mapped where data 

permitted. In most lakes, however, the underlying geology 

and sediment thickness are unknown. To simplify map 

preparation and digitizing, a somewhat arbitrary division 

was used for lakes lacking subbottom geologic information: 

for relatively small lakes (for example, 5 mi2

), geologic 

data were extrapolated from the surrounding land, but, for 

larger lakes, extrapolation was not attempted. 

Thickness Mapping 

The quality and distribution of thickness data vary 

greatly because the data base ranges from detailed statewide 

compilations to sparse and poorly distributed control by 

well logs. A relative, and subjective, measure of the quality 

of the source maps and the resulting reliability of the 

thickness data are shown in figure 4. In this context, the 

Map Units 9 
term "quality" refers to extent of coverage and level of 

detail. For 11 States, this map series provides the first 

statewide thickness map of Quaternary deposits; it is also 

the first drift-thickness map for the areas under water. For 

nearly all of the remaining States, new or unpublished 

thickness data supplemented the existing maps. 

The surficial character of the sediments was compiled 

and then used, with topography, as a guide for mapping 

sediment thickness in places of limited data. This procedure 

improved the continuity and reliability of thickness contours 

in many areas for two reasons. First, the contact between 

surficial lithologies may mark a large change in overall 

thickness of deposits. For example, on the Appalachian 

Plateau of west-central New York, uplands covered by thin 

deposits of till are dissected by deep, narrow valleys 

containing sequences of stratified, water-lain sediment 

commonly more than 200 ft thick. At the map scale of 

l: 1,000,000, the contact between till and stratified sediment 

closely approximates the valley wall; even where thickness 

data are sparse, this contact serves as the guide to constrain 

the thickness contours to the stratified sediment areas within 

the valley. Without the surficial geology as a constraint, the 

limited well-log data would be of use only as point data; 

however, where surficial geology and topography are considered, these limited data are used most effectively to 

project thickness contours into areas with little or no 

well-log data. 

Second, in many areas, topographic relief is sufficient to significantly affect the thickness of the underlying 

sediments. Some compilations used in the preparation of 

these maps are so generalized that the thickness contours are 

not constrained by relief of the land surface. Where thick 

deposits in a buried valley are deeply dissected by crosscutting modem drainage, the thickness contours should not 

cross the low areas of the dissected terrain. On the four 

maps of this series, where modem stream valleys overlie 

buried valleys, the thickness contours that depict thick 

sediments in the buried valleys are generally constrained by 

the limits of the modem valley, especially where bedrock is 

exposed along valley walls. 

In a few areas, because of lack of available data, the 

glacial sediments cannot be differentiated from underlying 

deposits. Beneath the thick drift of Michigan's southern 

peninsula, red beds of possible Jurassic age are patchily 

distributed (Schaffer, 1969; Rhoads and others, 1985). The 

distribution of these red beds is uncertain, and they are 

difficult to recognize on well logs; therefore, some minor 

part of the sediment thickness in Michigan as shown on the 

Quaternary sediments map may be the red beds. 

Elliptical landforms, shaped and oriented by overriding ice, are common in some areas. They are generally 

composed of dense, compact till, but some are rock cored or 

entirely rock. The composition of these streamlined landforms can be determined by au gering; however, because 

drill data are uncommon, most maps (including these) treat 

all oriented, streamlined landforms as a group. Drumlins 

are streamlined hills that are generally composed of till; in 

areas of thin till, these features are relatively thick accumulations of till. In New England, where till is typically less 

than 15 ft thick on the uplands, till beneath drumlins 

commonly is more than 40 ft thick. Although less thick than 

the lowest contour value, and of small size, drumlins are 

shown on the maps of this series by symbols. 

Nearly all thickness and topographic data used to 

compile the Quaternary sediments map were reported in 

U.S. customary units (feet). For simplicity and accuracy 

during map compilation, this system was retained. The 

contour intervals on the map are 0-50 ft, 50-100 ft, 

100-200 ft, 200-400 ft, 400-800 ft, and greater than 800ft. 

Subsurface Mapping 

A three-dimensional map could, ideally, portray the 

nature and extent of every subsurface unit. However, the 

geometry and textures of nonmarine Quaternary deposits 

can be quite complex, varying both vertically and laterally 

over short distances. The data base needed to adequately 

predict the subsurface geometry of these units is unavailable 

for most areas. Although the amount and distribution of 

subsurface information vary greatly from State to State, 

enough is available to allow the Quaternary sediments map 

to show a cursory impression of subsurface variability and 

the general configuration of regional, large-scale glacial 

textural contrasts in the subsurface. 

For some small parts of the continentally glaciated 

United States, the nature of subsurface glacial lithologies 

is sufficiently well known to permit detailed threedimensional mapping. Most of this knowledge comes from 

local studies related to delineation of buried aquifers. On a 

somewhat less detailed scale, two notable examples of 

statewide three-dimensional maps are those of Illinois (Berg 

and Kempton, 1988, scale 1:250,000) and Connecticut 

(Stone and others, in press, scale 1:125,000), which show 

subsurface data by map units representing vertical successions of lithologic units (the stack-unit concept discussed by 

Kempton, 1981). These two State maps are complex and 

portray subsurface data effectively. However, their methods 

of showing detailed subsurface data are not as feasible on a 

regional scale of 1:1,000,000; data density and reliability 

are highly uneven from State to State, and, in certain areas, 

the deposits are too thick and the stratigraphy is too 

complex to be portrayed by their methods. 

In general, the subsurface is not shown on the 

Quaternary sediments map because data are insufficient. In 

the areas where the subsurface is well known, the vertical 

succession of geologic units is depicted on the map in a 

generalized fashion, as a two-unit stack consisting of either 

10 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
the surficial unit and a well-mapped buried unit of some 

significance (for example, an aquifer) at some unspecified 

depth, or a discontinuous surface veneer of sediment and 

the underlying unit. These stack units include, but are not 

limited to, stratified sediments overlying till in a glacial lake 

basin, sand and gravel aquifers buried beneath till, and 

areas of peat or of eolian sediments (loess or eolian sand) 

capping older Quaternary sediments. These buried or 

veneer units are commonly widespread or thick and may be 

of economic as well as geologic significance (for example, 

as aquifers). 

These two-unit stacks on the map do not portray the 

actual vertical succession of units. Where a buried coarsegrained stratified unit is depicted, it may occur at the base 

of section beneath till, or beneath till that contains numerous interbeds of stratified deposits and peat, or at some 

other position within the section, perhaps bounded above 

and below by till. However, the stack does indicate the 

occurrence of a well-known, significant buried unit. Also, 

where a veneer of loess is mapped over till, it is not implied 

that the entire section beneath the loess is till. Stratified 

deposits may be buried beneath or interbedded with till, as 

is certainly possible in areas where stack units are not 

shown. 

Through the use of colors and patterns, the stack units 

emphasize either the surficial or the buried unit. For 

example, where a patchy veneer of peat or of fine-grained 

stratified lake sediment overlies a thick sequence capped by 

till, the till is shown as the solid map color, and the thin 

overlying unit appears as a pattern of thin lines whose color 

reflects that unit's lithology. Where the geometry of a 

buried unit (for example, stratified sand and gravel in a 

buried valley) is fairly well defined, the surficial unit is 

shown in a solid color, and the buried unit is represented by 

a dot pattern of the appropriate color. The Quaternary 

sediments map also shows lithologic logs from different 

geologic settings (for example, buried valleys and upland 

areas) to indicate actual variations in subsurface lithology. 

FACTORS AFFECTING SEDIMENT TEXTURE 

AND DISTRIBUTION 

Sediment Texture 

Ti11, the most widespread unit on the Quaternary 

sediments map, ranges from dense and compact clayey till, 

in which few grains are larger than sand size, to loose, 

sandy till containing abundant boulders and only small 

amounts of the finer size fractions. Areal variations in till 

texture can significantly affect the rate of recharge to 

ground water. Also, dense, fine-textured till is a preferred 

medium for waste disposal. Thus, decisions concerning 

land use are benefited by a better understanding of ti11 

texture. Figure 5 provides a general guide to surficial till 

texture. This figure is based largely on textural descriptions 

by field mappers, supplemented by some textural analyses 

and in places by geologic interpretation. Regional variations 

in till texture reflect the effects and interactions of glacier 

flow, weathering, and the lithology of the underlying 

bedrock. 

Most till was derived from the local substrate, either 

bedrock or previous glacial deposits. Especially outside the 

Great Lakes basins, bedrock lithology and till texture are 

closely related. Sandy till is common on coarse-grained 

igneous and metamorphic rock terranes and on areas underlain by coarse clastic rocks. Silty till occurs on finer grained 

metamorphic rocks and on sedimentary units containing 

sandstone, siltstone, shale, and carbonate rocks. Clayey till 

is common on areas of shale bedrock (for example, in the 

Dakotas and Montana). Glaciers that overrode older glacial 

sediments may have deposited a till similar in character to 

the underlying unit; where fine-grained glacial lake sediments were overridden by a glacier, a clayey till was 

commonly deposited. Figure 6 shows the general lithology 

of bedrock and the outlines of glacial lake basins. 

The distribution of sandy, silty, and clayey till is 

closely related to the differential resistance of bedrock to 

erosion by water and ice. Erosion was most severe in the 

finer grained clastic and carbonate rocks, whereas coarsegrained igneous and metamorphic complexes resisted erosion more effectively. This difference in resistance is 

demonstrated in the Great Lakes region, where ice tended to 

be directed along formational strike and along the course of 

preglacial valleys, through zones of relatively weak rocks. 

The basins of Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario 

were in large part sculpted by glacial erosion of certain 

Paleozoic shales, siltstones, and carbonate rocks, whereas 

glacial erosion beneath Lake Superior occurred dominantly 

in faulted Precambrian metasedimentary rocks (see Hough, 

1958). 

Mode of glacial sediment deposition varied depending on the topographic setting, because topography of the 

bedrock surface (and, for later ice advances, topography on 

the surface of older glacial deposits) caused ice to flow in 

lobes rather than as a regional, uniform sheet. In interlobate 

areas on many uplands, relatively coarse-grained winnowed 

till and coarse-grained stratified deposits were deposited in 

moraines. Of course, topographic setting also exerted some 

control on till texture outside the Great Lakes basins. For 

example, on the interlobate area known as the Prairie 

Coteau in eastern South Dakota, deposition by stagnating 

ice along lateral moraines produced tills somewhat siltier 

than the clayey tills of the lowlands to the west and 

northeast. Similarly, a relatively coarse till occurs in the 

morainal deposits of central North Dakota and South 

Dakota. In many lowland areas, fine-grained glacial lake 

sediments were deposited in basins next to ice lobes. An ice 

advance over the lake basin commonly produced a clay-rich 

till due to incorporation of the fine-grained lake sediment. A 

Factors Affecting Sediment Texture and Distribution 11 
SANDY 

TILLS 

EXPLANATION 

100 0 

CLAYEY 

SILTY 

TILLS 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Textures 

c Clay sc Sandy clay cl Clay loam 

si Silt sic Silty clay sil Silt loam 

s Sand sci Sandy clay loam sl Sandy loam 

I Loam sicl Silty clay loam Is Loamy sand 

---Contact between till-texture classes 

---- Limit of late Wisconsinan ice 

--- Maximum limit of glaciation prior to 

late Wisconsinan time 

lWO 115° 1oo• 

I 

45° t__ \},....______ I -- , -- 1 --: 

I 

I I,___ ____ _ 

40° 

-r-- I 

I I -----..t...__ I __ 

I 1 IL_ ____ _ 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

~--~ 0 100 200 

0 100 200 300 

300 400 MILES 

400 KILOMETERS 

95° 

\ 

\ 

\ 

----r -

\ 

l 

~ 

c 

I 

I 

' ~ 

I 

,-----

--) ' 

' '" 

go• so• 75° 

./\... ) 

\ 

./""'"'~~"' ) l- " -

,__----- ] _______ .L--~-----

35 ~------L--------L------ ----~~--------~~~~~=-=---J--------~--------~------L-----------~~-L--------------~ 

Figure 5. Texture of surficial till, based on U.S. Department of Agriculture textural classification. Textural 

descriptions from field mappers and some textural analyses were used to compile most of this map. For some 

places, notably Montana, data were quite sparse, and the 

correlation of bedrock lithology, the down-ice part of 

glacial lake basins, and the distribution of clayey till is 

apparent in a comparison of figures 5 and 6. 

Sediment Distribution 

In places, thick glacial sediments occur only in 

valleys of preglacial or interglacial origin. In New England, 

and westward to the Appalachian Escarpment in Ohio, the 

glacial sediment cover is relatively thin, generally less than 

20 ft thick on the uplands. However, in this region, 

modification of preglacial and interglacial valleys by glacial 

erosion produced deeply incised drainage systems, which 

are now partly filled with stratified glacial and Holocene 

sediment, locally more than 200 ft thick in major valleys. 

West and northwest of the Appalachian Escarpment, sediment thicknesses over a large area are commonly much 

greater. There, entire preglacial and interglacial drainage 

systems lack surface expression (for example, the Mahomet 

valley in Illinois and the Teays system in Ohio and Indiana). 

lithology of the bedrock was used as the main guide to 

texture. In general, however, the map was compiled 

without reference to the bedrock lithology. See text for a 

discussion of till texture. 

These buried valleys commonly are filled with thick interbedded till and stratified sediment. Beneath the Great 

Lakes, glacially overdeepened channels are partly or completely filled with till and fine-grained stratified Quaternary 

sediment, notably in western Lake Superior, southern Lake 

Huron, and eastern Lake Erie. A simplified thickness map 

(fig. 7) derived from the 1:1,000,000-scale maps of this 

series shows the largest of these thick deposits. 

The most extensive accumulations of thick glacial 

sediment are not, however, in filled valleys and other 

depressions. Large areas in the southern peninsula of 

Michigan, western Minnesota, and eastern North Dakota 

and an area in eastern South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, and western Iowa are underlain by more than 200 ft of 

glacial sediment (fig. 7). These thick sediment piles are 

composed of complex and poorly understood deposits of till 

and coarse-grained stratified sediment accumulated during 

multiple glaciations. As an example of the stratigraphic 

complexity in these areas, a well drilled in the Prairie 

Coteau region of South Dakota penetrated 868 ft of glacial 

sediment consisting of at least 10 layers of till and inter12 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 

vening gravelly (stratified?) units (South Dakota Geological 

Survey, written commun., 1987). Well data on the southern 

peninsula of Michigan indicate 800 to more than 1 ,200 ft of 

glacial sediment. 

In these and other large areas of thick sediment, the 

texture of till and stratified sediment is coarse relative to 

adjacent areas of thinner sediment accumulation (for example, for Michigan, see Farrand and Bell, 1982). This 

contrast reflects the differing nature of glacial sedimentation 

between the ice-lobe basins and interlobate areas. In the 

ice-lobe basins, till and fine-grained stratified sediment 

predominate. The till is dominantly of basal origin and in 

places bas incorporated fine-grained glaciolacustrine sediments during ice readvance. In contrast, at the ice terminus 

and in interlobate areas, supraglacial and extramarginal 

depo ition was more common. Consequently, glacial ediment deposited there is dominantly coarse-grained stratified 

sediment and relatively coarse and poorly compacted till. 

Most of these areas of thick ediment accumulation 

lie beneath late Wisconsinan interlobate positions (see fig. 

7) on topographically high areas of the bedrock surface, 

whereas relatively thin deposits generally accumulated in 

the adjacent bedrock lowlands occupied by drainage and by 

ice lobes (see cross sections in fig. 8). Thick sediment did 

not accumulate in all interlobate areas; for example, note 

the area between the Lake Huron and Lake Erie lobes in 

Lake Erie (fig. 8, section A-A'). The absence of thick 

sediment there is perhaps due to the lack of a bedrock high 

needed to restrict the two lobes and stabilize the location of 

the interlobate area sufficiently to permit a thick accumulation of sediment. 

Figure 8, section A-A', shows thinning of glacial 

sediment up the regional slope of the bedrock, in the 

direction of the ice terminus near the Appalachian Escarpment (see fig . 7). In contrast, figure 8, section B-B' , shows 

a thickening of sediment along the lateral margin of the 

James lobe, westward up the regional bedrock slope. The 

relatively stable position of lateral margins, especially 

where restricted by regional slope, may account for the 

thick sediment in these places, in contrast to the relatively 

unstable margin position of an ice terminus, where thick 

sediment is less likely to accumulate. Figure 8, section 

C-C' , show generally thin drift on the upland where the 

Rainy lobe-Lake Superior lobe boundary is shown, likely 

because that interlobate position was not stable over time. 

Factors Affecting Sediment Texture and Distribution 13 
D 

EXPLANATION 

Coarse-grained metamorphic rocks (schist 

and gneiss) and intrusive igneous rock 

Fine-grained metamorphic rocks (slate and 

phyllite) and extrusive igneous rocks 

no• 1oo· 

I 

Sandstone, with minor fine-grained clastic 

rocks 

45° r----- /L_-- ---:J-Gi'~ -----, Dominantly sandstone, with lesser 

siltstone, shale, carbonate rocks, and coal 

I 

I 

Dominantly siltstone and shale, with lesser 

carbonate rocks and sandstone 

I r------

Shale, with minor carbonate and coarser 

grained clastic rocks 

1 r---- 1 

I ----L__ 

40° 

D 

D 

Dominantly carbonate rocks, with lesser 

shale, siltstone, and sandstone I --;_ ____ _ 

Carbonate rocks, with minor clastic rocks I I 

---- Contact --- Limit of glaciation 0 100 200 300 400 MILES 

Outline of major glacial lakes at their 

maximum extent; hachures on lake side 

0 100 200 300 400 KILOMETERS 

Figure 6. General lithology of bedrock directly beneath 

the Quaternary sediments. Lithologies are grouped 

according to dominant grain size and rock origin. The 

outlines of major glacial lakes are also shown because ice 

In the lowlands of the Lake Superior lobe, thick drift occurs 

on a bedrock high that separated two sublobes. The thick 

sediment in Lake Superior is in part Holocene lake sediment. The correlation among interlobate positions, thick 

sediment, and bedrock highs underlain by resistant bedrock 

is most notable for the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of the 

Great Lakes region, where there is sufficient lithologic 

contrast and differential erosion. On the other hand, in New 

England, the regional predominance of resistant rock types 

appears to have precluded development of a similar pattern. 

For many areas, it is likely that once ice lobation had 

become established, the ice lobes and interlobate areas 

recurred at the same general positions in successive glaciations, causing a gradual buildup of sediment volume in the 

interlobate areas. Late Wisconsinan sediment (see, for 

example, Mickelson and others, 1983) accounts for only a 

minor part of the sedimentary sequence in the interlobate 

areas shown in figure 7. This fact suggests that, at the 

regional level, the younger glaciations almost certainly did 

not establish radically different patterns of sediment distribution. As demonstrated by Kemmis and others (1981) and 

flowing in glacial lake basins commonly incorporated 

preexisting lake sediments into the till. Till texture (fig. 5) 

was greatly influenced by bedrock lithology and major 

glacial lake basins. 

by other authors, ice traveling over a previously glaciated 

terrain may incorporate only a part of the underlying glacial 

sediment and redeposit it as till and will not commonly 

erode through thick glacial sediment into bedrock. The 

general configuration of the bedrock surface must have been 

established before the Pleistocene or during the early (at 

least pre-Wisconsinan) glaciations and probably generally 

followed the preglacial topography. Through successive 

glaciations, bedrock topographic highs separating adjacent 

ice lobes received additional sediment from the lateral 

margins of each lobe, adding to the overall thickness of 

sediment in the interlobate area and further establishing 

topographic control on ice movement. This conclusion is 

regionally based and may have less validity at a local scale, 

where the relation between bedrock topography and ice 

lobation may in places be lacking or be less clear (see , for 

example, Kemmis and others, 1981). 

The largest area of thick glacial sediment in the 

mapped area is in Minnesota, west of the Great Lakes, and 

cannot be satisfactorily correlated with latest Wisconsinan 

lobe margin positions (fig. 7). Ice flowed into this area from 

14 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 

95° 90° 85° so· 

two directions: the Lake Superior lobe from the northeast 

and the Red River and Des Moines lobes from the northwest 

(see discussion in Mayewski and others, 1981, p. 91-93). 

Ice advances from these lobes were asynchronous. In the 

latest Wisconsinan, the Lake Superior lobe was retreating 

northwestward as ice in the Red River and Des Moines 

lobes expanded south and east. The thick sediment lies to 

the west and south of the latest Wisconsinan lobe positions, 

in an area where interlobate positions may have existed 

before the latest part of the Wisconsinan. 

SUMMARY 

The maps of this series are a first approximation of 

the regional, three-dimensional distribution of Quaternary 

sediments over a very large area. They are intended to 

support additional research and detailed mapping. They are 

also intended to supplement the local, detailed studies from 

which they were compiled and should not be used to infer 

specific details concerning the local geologic framework . 

Rather, they are most useful as planning documents. As a 

complement to detailed mapping, regional maps such as 

these place local, detailed mapping in context, permit the 

75° 70° 

extrapolation of data into unmapped areas, and depict 

large-scale, regional geologic features that are beyond the 

scope of detailed, local mapping. 

Two general points about the Quaternary sediments 

map should be stressed. First, this map depicts the surface 

distribution of sediments and the total thickness of the 

Quaternary deposits; the continuation down to the preQuaternary surface ("bedrock") of the glacial unit that lies 

at the surface cannot necessarily be inferred. However, in 

places, the surface unit can extend to bedrock, especially 

where the Quaternary sediment is thin . Second, the 

materials-based mapping emphasis differs from that of most 

published State and regional surficial geologic maps, which 

use stratigraphic or geomorphic map units and focus on the 

chronology of geologic events such as ice advances or 

retreats or the history of glacial lakes. Because of this 

fundamental difference, the distribution of sediments on 

event-oriented maps may not agree with the distribution on 

these maps. For example, in many glaciated areas inundated 

by proglaciallakes, the surficial sediment is commonly till, 

somewhat altered where reworked by lake waters. On 

event-oriented maps, however, because of the glacial geologic history, lacustrine clay, silt, and sand are commonly 

Summary 15 
40° 

0 

I 

0 

EXPLANATION 

Thickness of 

Quaternary 

sediment 

CJ 0-200feet 

k<\}U:j 200-400 feet 

>400 feet 

zoo 

I 

400 MILES 

I 

200 400 KILOMETERS 

Limit of 

map area 

Figure 7. Simplified thickness map of Quaternary sediments within the 

mapped area and late Wisconsinan glacial lobe positions (from Mickelson and 

others, 1983) as shown by medium-weight solid lines. Some lobe positions, 

especially in the Eastern United States, have been omitted here for clarity. 

Only the 200- and 400-ft thickness contours are shown. Dashed line, labeled 

"limit of map area," shows the maximum extent of glacial ice. Dotted lin

shows location of Appalachian Escarpment (AE) in Ohio only. lE, lake Eri

lobe; lH, lake Huron lobe; S, Saginaw lobe; lM, lake Michigan lobe; lS, lak

Superior lobe; RR, Red River lobe; DM, Des Moines lobe; J, James lobe. Cros

sections along lines A-A', B-B', and C-C' are shown in figure 8. 
A 

NW 

ffi 1600 

lake Michigan lobe 

w 

Saginaw lobe 

!:::. 

z 

0 800 I= 

:;: 

~ w 0 

t Lake Michigan 

MICHIGAN 

A' 

SE 

1600 lake Erie lobe 

800 

0 25 MILES ... ·.· ·:· .. ·.· .. Bedrock 

0 25 50KILOMETERS 0 

MICHIGAN Lake Erie OHIO 

8 8' 

w 

ffi 1600 

~ 

James lobe Des Moines lobe 

E 

z 

0 800 

w 

~ 0 

0 25 MILES SOUTH DAKOTA 

0 25 50 KILOMETERS 

c c· 

NW Rainy lake Superior lobe SE 

lobe 

I=' 

w 1600 w 

!:::. 

z 

c 800 I= 

...... 

~ w 0 

Bedrock 

-800 0 25 MILES 

MINNESOTA WISCONSIN 0 25 50 KILOMETERS 

Figure 8. Cross sections showing the relations among bedrock topography, Quaternary sediment thickness, and ice 

lobation. Stippled areas represent Quaternary sediment. locations of sections shown in figure 7. Cross section C-C' 

shows the thick sediment over the bedrock high, which was deposited between two sublobes of the lake Superior lobe. 

Summary 17 
mapped (inferentially) throughout a lake plain, although 

these deposits may be areally less common than till. 

Preliminary analysis of the map patterns, in concert 

with information on till texture, ice lobe pattern, and 

bedrock lithology, suggests the following conclusions. The 

differential resistance of bedrock to erosion by water and ice 

has partly controlled till textural distribution, especially in 

the Great Lakes basins. Mode of deposition (for example, 

interlobate area, basal ice, stagnating ice) also greatly 

affects the texture of the deposited till. Most of the largest 

areas of thick glacial sediment were late Wisconsinan 

interlobate areas on topographically high areas of the 

bedrock surface, whereas relatively thin deposits generally 

accumulated in the adjacent bedrock lowlands occupied by 

drainage and by ice lobes. The lithology of the bedrock and 

its resistance to erosion in part controlled the pattern of ice 

lobation and the distribution of thick sediment. The thickness of late Wisconsinan sediment accounts for only a 

minor part of the sedimentary sequence in the thick drift of 

these interlobate areas. It is likely, therefore, that once ice 

lobation had become established in an area, there was a 

tendency for ice lobes and interlobate areas to recur at 

roughly the same locations in successive glaciations. Thus, 

the general configuration of the bedrock surface may have 

been established in pre-Pleistocene time or after the earliest 

glaciations. Through successive glaciations, the bedrock 

topographic highs separating adjacent ice lobes continued to 

receive additional sediment from the lateral margins of each 

lobe, adding to the overall thickness of sediment in the 

interlobate area and further emphasizing topographic control on ice movement. 

REFERENCES CITED 

Berg, R.C., and Kempton, J.P., 1988, Stack-unit mapping of 

geologic materials in Illinois to a depth of 15 meters: Illinois 

State Geological Survey Circular 542, 23 p., scale 

1:250,000. 

Berg, R.C., Kempton, J.P., and Stecyk, A.N., 1984, Geology for 

planning in Boone and Winnebago Counties: Illinois State 

Geological Survey Circular 531, 69 p. 

Bergstrom, R.E., Piskin, Kemal, and Follmer, L.R., 1976, 

Geology for planning in the Springfield-Decatur region, 

Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 497, 76 p. 

Colton, R.B., Lemke, R.W., and Lindvall, R.M., 1961, Glacial 

map of Montana east of the Rocky Mountains: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Map 

I-327, scale 1:500,000. 

---1963, Preliminary glacial map of North Dakota: U.S. 

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations 

Map 1-331, scale 1:500,000. 

Farrand, W.R., and Bell, D.L., 1982, Quaternary geology of 

northern and southern Michigan: Lansing, Mich., Michigan 

Geological Survey Division, scale 1:500,000. 

Flint, R.F. (committee chairman), 1959, Glacial map of the 

United States east of the Rocky Mountains: Boulder, Colo., 

Geological Society of America, scale 1:1,750,000. 

Froelich, A.J., Hack, J.T., and Otton, E.G., 1980, Geologic and 

hydrologic map reports for land-use planning in the 

Baltimore-Washington urban area: U.S. Geological Survey 

Circular 806, 26 p. 

Hackett, J.E., and McComas, Murray, 1969, Geology for planning in McHenry County: Illinois State Geological Survey 

Circular 438, 31 p. 

Hough, J.L., 1958, Geology of the Great Lakes: Urbana, Ill., 

University of Illinois Press, 313 p. 

Hunt, C.S., and Kempton, J.P., 1977, Geology for planning in De 

Witt County: Illinois State Geological Survey Environmental 

Geology Notes 83, 42 p. 

Kemmis, T.J., Hallberg, G.R., and Lutenegger, A.J., 1981, 

Depositional environments of glacial sediments and landforms on the Des Moines lobe, Iowa: Iowa Geological Survey 

Guidebook Series, no. 6, 132 p. 

Kempton, J.P., 1981, Three-dimensional geologic mapping for 

environmental studies in Illinois: Illinois State Geological 

Survey Environmental Geology Note 100, 43 p. 

Kempton, J.P., and Cartwright, Keros, 1984, Three-dimensional 

geologic mapping: a basis for hydrogeologic and land-use 

evaluations: Association of Engineering Geologists Bulletin, 

v. 21, p. 317-335. 

Kockelman, W.J., 1976, Use of USGS earth-science products by 

county planning agencies in the San Francisco Bay region, 

California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 

76-547, 186 p. 

Lineback, J.A., Bleuer, N.K., Mickelson, D.M., Farrand, W.R., 

and Goldthwait, R.P., 1983, Quaternary geologic map of the 

Chicago 4°X6° quadrangle, United States, in Richmond, 

G.M., and Fullerton, D.S., eds., Quaternary geologic atlas 

of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map I-1420 (NK-16), scale 

1:1,000,000. 

Mayewski, P.A., Denton, G.H., and Hughes, T.J., 1981, Late 

Wisconsin ice sheets in North America, in Denton, G.H., and 

Hughes, T.J., eds., The last great ice sheets: New York, 

Wiley, p. 67-178. 

Mickelson, D.M., Clayton, Lee, Fullerton, D.S., and Borns, 

H.W., Jr., 1983, The late Wisconsin glacial record of the 

Laurentide ice sheet in the United States, in Porter, S.C., ed., 

Late-Quaternary environments of the United States, Volume 

1, The late Pleistocene: London, Longman, p. 3-37. 

Pessl, Fred, Jr., Langer, W.H., and Ryder, R.B., 1972, Geologic 

and hydrologic maps for land-use planning in the Connecticut 

Valley with examples from the folio of the Hartford North 

quadrangle, Connecticut: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 

674, 12 p. 

Rhoads, B.L., Rieck, R.L., and Winters, H.A., 1985, Effects of 

thick drift on Quaternary landscapes in central Michigan: 

Michigan Academician, v. 17, p. 301-315. 

Robinson, G.D., and Spieker, A.M., eds., 1978, Nature to be 

commanded ... : U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 

950, 95 p. 

Schaffer, B.L., 1969, Palynology of the Michigan "Red Beds": 

East Lansing, Mich., Michigan State University, Ph.D. 

dissertation, 250 p. 

Soller, D.R., in press a, Map showing the thickness and character 

of Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of 

the Rocky Mountains-Northeastern States, the Great Lakes, 

18 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
and parts of southern Ontario and the Atlantic offshore area 

(east of 80° 31' West longitude): U.S. Geological Survey 

Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-1970-A, scale 

1:1,000,000. 

---in press b, Map showing the thickness and character of 

Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of 

the Rocky Mountains-Northern Great Lakes States and 

central Mississippi Valley States, the Great Lakes, and 

southern Ontario (80° 31' to 93° West longitude): U.S. 

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 

1-1970-B, scale 1:1,000,000. 

---in press c, Map showing the thickness and character of 

Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of 

the Rocky Mountains-Northern and Central Plains States 

(90° to 102° West longitude): U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-1970-C, scale 

1:1,000,000. 

---in press d, Map showing the thickness and character of 

Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of 

the Rocky Mountains-Northern Plains States (west of 102° 

West longitude): U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map 1-1970-D, scale 1:1,000,000. 

Soller, D.R., Stettner, W.R., Lanfear, K.J., and Aitken, D.S., 

1990, A user's manual for a method of map scanning and 

digital editing for thematic map production and data-base 

construction: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1054, 38 p. 

Stone, J.R., London, E.H., and Langer, W.H., 1979, Map 

showing textures of unconsolidated materials, Connecticut 

Valley urban area, central New England: U.S. Geological 

Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-1074-B, 

scale 1:125,000. 

Stone, J.R., Schafer, J.P., London, E.H., and Thompson, W.B., 

in press, Surficial materials map of Connecticut: Reston, Va., 

U.S. Geological Survey, scale 1:125,000. 

Thorp, James, and Smith, H.T.U. (co-chairmen, National 

Research Council Committee for the Study of Eolian Deposits, Division of Geology and Geography), 1952, Pleistocene 

eolian deposits of the United States, Alaska, and parts of 

Canada: Boulder, Colo., Geological Society of America, 

scale 1:2,500,000. 

References Cited 19 
SECTION 2-SOURCES AND 

RELIABILITY OF MAP DATA 

The four maps of this series were generated by 

compiling and reinterpreting existing information derived 

from published and unpublished maps and reports, basic 

data, and discussions with other geologists. Those geologists, numbering about 130 and located in the 23 States 

within the mapped area and in Canada, are listed in the 

"Acknowledgments" section. Where preliminary versions 

of published maps were used to generate the maps of this 

series, they are noted in the following list. Also, significant 

sources of unpublished information are included. Some 

stack-unit and other information on the map was interpreted 

from oral and written communications with scientists listed 

in the "Acknowledgments" section and is not noted here. 

The published or otherwise available sources of information, numbering about 850, are listed below. 

Surface sediments, or any group of geologic units, 

are mapped for many purposes, resulting in maps with 

widely differing themes, content, complexity, and scale. 

For the region depicted on the maps of this series, source 

maps were highly varied in nature and map coverage was 

incomplete. This situation necessitated the adoption of a 

simple, materials-based classification scheme that could be 

applied uniformly across the entire region. Because the 

quality and coverage of data used in assembling these maps 

vary widely, the reliability of the map series also varies 

from place to place. Most of the map data are considered 

moderately reliable, in the qualitative judgment of this 

author. However, a moderate to major reinterpretation or 

synthesis of source maps was generally required to adapt 

them to the classification scheme of this map. In a few 

States, data were of high quality and reliability and were not 

reinterpreted. Statewide maps were not available in many 

States, and the map data were assembled from numerous 

sources. In these cases, data reliability was generally 

considered to be low. For many States, the available data 

were sparse, and map reliability was low to moderately low. 

In other States, refinement of data during map compilation 

resulted in relatively higher reliability for the map. 

This section is organized alphabetically by State; data 

sources for the Great Lakes, the Atlantic offshore, and 

Canada follow the State listings. Each section begins with a 

brief overview of the character and thickness of the glacial 

deposits, followed by brief statements on data reliability 

and types of map data used to compile the surficialsediment, sediment-thickness, and subsurface parts of the 

maps (hereafter referred to as the "Quaternary sediments 

map"). Where the term "map compilation" is used, it refers 

to compilation of the four maps of this series, not compilation of source maps. 

After this introductory material, the sources are given 

for surficial and stack-unit information and thickness information. For some States, additional references (for exampie, a map showing drumlins only) are listed separately. 

Because the "Additional References" heading includes only 

those citations not listed under previous headings, the list of 

references identified for an additional topic (for example, 

drumlins) may be incomplete. The heading "Surficial and 

Stack-Unit Information" may be replaced by "Surficial 

Information" if the stack-unit information for that State was 

derived solely from discussions with cooperating scientists 

or if stack-unit information is not depicted. The format was 

chosen to limit the redundancies in citations. For sections 

containing several references, an asterisk preceding a reference denotes the primary reference(s) for that section. 

CONNECTICUT 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-Thick sediment 

in Connecticut is confined largely to the river valleys, 

where areas of sediment thicknesses between 100 to 200 ft 

are not uncommon; in places, more than 400ft of sediment 

is preserved. Coarse- and fine-grained stratified sediments, 

deposited by glacial meltwater in glacial lakes, account for 

the bulk of the valley fill. In contrast, the upland areas are 

mostly mantled by sandy till. Generally less than 20 ft 

thick, the till in upland areas is highly variable in thickness. 

Drumlins, composed of thicker till, are in all parts of the 

State. In many places, the till is patchy and bedrock 

exposures are numerous. 

Surficial information.-Map data were compiled 

directly from the new State surficial materials map (Stone 

and others, in press, scale 1:125,000). It was readily 

incorporated into the Quaternary sediments map without the 

need for reinterpretation. The reliability of the map data is 

considered to be high. 

Thickness information.-An unpublished map of the 

thickness of surficial materials, scale 1:125,000, was compiled by the senior author of the State surficial materials 

map from numerous well data. The reliability of the map 

data is considered to be high. 

Subsurface information.-The lithology of subsurface units as mapped on the State surficial materials map 

was simplified and shown diagrammatically on the Quaternary sediments map. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Stone, J.R., Schafer, J.P., London, E.H., and Thompson, W.B., 

in press, Surficial materials map of Connecticut: Reston, Va., 

U.S. Geological Survey, scale 1:125,000. 

Thickness Information 

Stone, J.R., 1986, Thickness of surficial materials in Connecticut: 

Reston, Va., U.S. Geological Survey, unpublished map, 

scale 1:125,000. 

20 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
ILLINOIS 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-Surface sediments in Illinois are dominantly silty till, except in northeastern Illinois, where the surface till in the basin of the 

Lake Michigan ice lobe is more clayey. Large areas of 

surficial stratified deposits, generally coarse grained, are 

confined to the valleys of the Mississippi, Illinois, and 

Wabash Rivers. Fine-grained stratified deposits occur in 

tributary valleys of the Wabash River and near Lake 

Michigan. Excluding northeastern and east-central Illinois, 

sediment thicknesses outside river valleys seldom exceed 

100 ft and are commonly less than 50 ft. In the major river 

valleys, 50 to 200 ft of stratified sediment commonly is 

preserved. In the area covered by the latest glacial advance, 

in northeastern Illinois, sediment thicknesses of 100 to 400 

ft are common in places. Extensive preglacial and interglacial drainage networks are buried beneath the till cover; 

some of these old valleys contain thick coarse-grained 

stratified sediments that are important aquifers. 

Surficial information.-The State map of Quaternary 

deposits (Lineback, 1979), scale 1:500,000, was used for 

compilation of the Quaternary sediments map. Although it 

is a stratigraphic map, the character of sediments within 

each unit is readily determined, so that extensive reinterpretation of the map units was not necessary. However, due 

to the stratigraphic emphasis of the map, areas of patchy 

surface till and numerous bedrock exposure were not 

delineated, and these had to be interpreted from other map 

sources. Overall, the reliability of the map data is considered to be high. 

Thickness information. -A State map of sediment 

thickness (Piskin and Bergstrom, 1975), scale 1:500,000, 

was used to compile the Quaternary sediments map. Reliability of data was moderately high, except in areas of thin 

sediment cover. Based on a more modern and extensive 

well inventory, maps by Berg and others (1984) and Berg 

and Kempton (1988) were used to revise the 50- and 100-ft 

thickness contours and to improve data reliability overall. 

Subsurface information.-The subsurface geology 

has been extensively studied, and statewide and county 

maps depicting the three-dimensional nature of the deposits 

have been produced by the State. For the purposes of the 

Quaternary sediments map, the statewide maps were adequate to depict the buried aquifers. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Berg, R.C., and Kempton, J.P., 1984, Potential for contamination 

of shallow aquifers from land burial of municipal wastes: 

Champaign, Ill., Illinois State Geological Survey, scale 

1:500,000. 

Berg, R.C., Kempton, J.P., and Stecyk, A.N., 1984, Geology for 

planning in Boone and Winnebago Counties: Illinois State 

Geological Survey Circular 531, 69 p. 

*Lineback, J.A., 1979, Quaternary deposits of Illinois: Champaign, Ill., Illinois State Geological Survey, scale 1:500,000. 

Miller, J.R., Berg, R.C., Johnson, T.M., and Wehrmann, Allen, 

1985, Siting a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility in 

Illinois: statewide criteria: Champaign, Ill., Illinois State 

Geological Survey and Illinois State Water Survey, contract 

report to Illinois Department of Public Safety, 13 p., scale 

1:3,000,000. Open-file maps (1:1,000,000 scale) were 

obtained for map compilation. 

Piskin, Kemal, and Bergstrom, R.E., 1975, Glacial drift in 

Illinois: thickness and character: Illinois State Geological 

Survey Circular 490, 35 p., scale 1:500,000. 

Poole, V.L., and Sanderson, E.W., 1981, Groundwater resources 

in the Saline Valley Conservancy District, Saline and Gallatin 

Counties, Illinois: Champaign, Ill., Illinois State Geological 

Survey, Contract/Grant report 1981-2. 

Ray, B.W., Fehrenbacher, J.B., Rehner, R., and Acker, L.L., 

1976, Soil survey: Stephenson County, Illinois: University of 

Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station Soil Report 99, 132 

p., scale 1:126,720. 

Thickness Information 

Berg, R.C., and Kempton, J.P., 1988, Stack-unit mapping of 

geologic materials in Illinois to a depth of 15 meters: Illinois 

State Geological Survey Circular 542, 23 p., scale 

1:250,000. Preliminary version obtained for map compilation. 

Berg, R.C., Kempton, J.P., and Cartwright, Keros, 1984, Potential for contamination of shallow aquifers in Illinois: Illinois 

State Geological Survey Circular 532, 30 p., scale 

1:500,000. 

Piskin, Kemal, and Bergstrom, R.E., 1975, Glacial drift in 

Illinois: thickness and character: Illinois State Geological 

Survey Circular 490, 35 p., scale 1:500,000. 

INDIANA 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.- Surface sediments in Indiana are dominantly silty till, except in northeastern Indiana, where the surface till in the basin of the 

Lake Erie ice lobe is more clayey. Large areas of surficial 

stratified deposits, generally coarse grained, are confined to 

a broad area in northwestern Indiana and to the valleys of 

the Wabash and Ohio Rivers and major tributaries. Finegrained stratified deposits are mostly in tributary valleys of 

the Wabash and Ohio Rivers. In the northern half of the 

State, sediment thickness is commonly 50 to 400 ft, the 

greater thicknesses occurring over the preglacial and interglacial valleys buried by the sediment cover and in the 

interlobate area of north-central Indiana. Beyond the southern limit of the latest ice advance (Woodfordian), the 

thickness of sediments is generally less than 50 ft. In places, 

these older deposits have been eroded, and bedrock is 

exposed. 

Surficial information.-The Quaternary sediments 

map was compiled mainly from eight 1:250,000-scale 

Indiana 21 
surficial geologic maps published between 1966 and 1979. 

The map units are not directly applicable to the classification scheme used for the Quaternary sediments map, and so 

a moderate amount of reinterpretation was required, especially for the stratified deposits. The overall re}jability of 

the data is therefore considered to be moderately high. 

Thickness information.-A State map of sediment 

thickness (Gray, 1983), scale 1:500,000, was used for the 

Quaternary sediments map. The map is relatively current 

and relies on a large number of data points (roughly 

60,000); the reliability of the map is therefore considered to 

be moderately high. 

Subsuiface information.-The character and geometry of glacial units in the subsurface are not well known in 

Indiana. Despite the lack of subsurface data, a limited 

number of subsurface units are shown on the Quaternary 

sediments map on the basis of extrapolation of the trends of 

buried units depicted in Illinois. 

Surficial Information 

Bleuer, N.K., Melhorn, W.N., and Fraser, G.S., 1982, Geomorphology and glacial history of the Great Bend area of the 

Wabash Valley, Indiana: Geological Society of America, 

North Central Section, 16th Annual Meeting, Field Guidebook, Field trip no. 2, 63 p. 

Burger, A.M., Forsyth, J.L., Nicoll, R.S., and Wayne, W.J., 

197 I , Geologic map of the 1° X 2" Muncie quadrangle, 

Indiana and Ohio, showing bedrock and unconsolidated 

deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Regional Geologic Map 

no. 5, scale 1:250,000. 

Fraser, G.S., 1983, Sand and gravel resources of the Wabash 

Valley: causes of variability: Indiana Geological Survey 

Occasional Paper 37, p. 27-42. 

Gray, H.H., 1972, Geologic map of the l"X2" Louisville quadrangle, Indiana, showing bedrock and unconsolidated deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Regional Geologic Map no. 6, 

scale 1:250,000. 

--1984, Surficial geologic map of southern Indiana: Bloomington, Ind., Indiana Geological Survey, unpublished map, 

scale 1:1,000,000. 

Gray, H.H., Bleuer, N.K., Hill, J.R., and Lineback, J.A., 1979, 

Geologic map of the 1 "X2" Indianapolis quadrangle, Indiana 

and Illinois, showing bedrock and unconsolidated deposits: 

Indiana Geological Survey Regional Geologic Map no. l, 

scale 1:250,000. 

Gray, H.H., Forsyth, J.L., Schneider, A.F., and Gooding, A.M., 

1972, Geologic map of the l"X2" Cincinnati quadrangle, 

Indiana and Ohio, showing bedrock and unconsolidated 

deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Regional Geologic Map 

no. 7, scale 1:250,000. 

Gray, H.H., Wayne, W.J., and Wier, C.E., 1970, Geologic map 

of the l"X2" Vincennes quadrangle and parts of adjoining 

quadrangles, Indiana and Illinois, showing bedrock and 

unconsolidated deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Regional 

Geologic Map no. 3, scale 1:250,000. 

Johnson, G.H., and Keller, S.J., 1972, Geologic map of the 

l"X2" Fort Wayne quadrangle, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, 

showing bedrock and unconsolidated deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Regional Geologic Map no. 8, scale 

1:250,000. 

Lineback, J.A., Bleuer, N.K., Mickelson, D.M., Farrand, W.R., 

and Goldthwait, R.P., 1983, Quaternary geologic map of the 

Chicago 4°X6° quadrangle, United States, in Richmond, 

G.M., and Fullerton, D.S., eds., Quaternary geologic atlas 

of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map I-1420 (NK-16), scale 

1:1,000,000. 

Schneider, A.F., and Keller, S.J., 1970, Geologic map of the 

l"X2" Chicago quadrangle, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, 

showing bedrock and unconsolidated deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Regional Geologic Map no. 4, scale 

1:250,000. 

Wayne, W.J., Johnson, G.H., and Keller, S.J., 1966, Geologic 

map of the 1"x2" Danville quadrangle, Indiana and lllinois, 

showing bedrock and unconsolidated deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Regional Geologic Map no. 2, scale 

1:250,000. 

Thickness Information 

Gray, H.H., 1983, Map oflndiana showing thickness of unconsolidated deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Map 37, scale 1:500,000. 

IOWA 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-Surface sediments in Iowa are dominantly silty till, except in southwestem Iowa, where the till is more clayey. Extensive areas of 

stratified deposits, dominantly coarse grained, are confined 

to the Missouri and Mississippi River valleys and major 

tributary valleys. The thickest sediments occur in western 

Iowa, where 200 to 400ft of sediment is common, whereas, 

in central Iowa, thicknesses of 50 to 200 ft are more 

common. The deposits thin eastward, in part because of 

postglacial erosion. In eastern Iowa, the sediments are 

dissected, and bedrock exposures are numerous. 

Surficial information.-A 1:1,000,000-scale statewide compilation (Hallberg, 1979) provided a map adequate for compilation of the Quaternary sediments map. 

More detailed mapping for the State was not available. The 

reliability of the data is considered to be moderate. 

Thickness information. -Sediment thickness was 

compiled from a variety of sources, including some thickness maps at scales of 1:250,000 and 1:500,000. Thickness 

contours for most of the State were constructed by computing sediment thickness from unpublished bedrock topographic and land-surface topographic maps. The reliability 

of the data is considered to be moderate. 

Subsuiface information.-The character and geometry of subsurface glacial deposits are not well known in 

22 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sedi~ents in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Iowa. In areas of eolian sand or thick (more than 20 ft) loess 

cover, the character of the underlying sediment was 

inferred. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Hallberg, G.R. 1979, Quaternary geologic map of Iowa: Iowa 

City, Iowa Geological Survey, unpublished maps prepared 

for the Quaternary Geologic Atlas of the United States series 

(U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series 

Map 1-1420), scale 1:1,000,000. 

Thickness Information 

Anderson, R.R., 1983, Bedrock topography map of Iowa: Iowa 

City, Iowa Geological Survey Open-File Map, scale 

1:250,000. Compiled from the following sources: 

Cagle, J.W., 1973, Bedrock topography of south-central 

Iowa: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-763, scale 1:125,000. 

Hansen, R.E., 1972, Bedrock topography of east-central 

Iowa: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map l-717, scale 1:125,000. 

---1973, Bedrock topography of southeast Iowa: 

U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations 

Series Map I-808, scale I: 125,000. 

---1975, Bedrock topography of northeast Iowa: 

U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations 

Series Map I-933, scale 1:125,000. 

---1978, Bedrock topography of north-central Iowa: 

U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations 

Series Map 1-1080, scale I : 125,000. 

--1985, Bedrock topography of central Iowa: U.S. 

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations 

Series Map 1-1609, scale 1:125,000. 

Munter, J.A., Ludvigson, G.A., and Bunker, B.J., 1983, 

Hydrogeology and stratigraphy of the Dakota Formation, northwest Iowa: Iowa Geological Survey WaterSupply Bulletin 13, 55 p., scale 1:500,000. 

VanEck, O.J., Anderson, R.R., Black, R.A., and Daut, 

S.W., 1979, Regional tectonics and seismicity of 

southwestern Iowa: Iowa Geological Survey Annual 

Report FY-79 to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NUREG/CR-0955, 25 p. 

Hallberg, G.R., Anderson, R.R., Reinholtz, P.N., and Pearson, 

S. G. , 1981 , Depth to bedrock in northeast Iowa, an isopach 

of Quaternary deposits: Iowa City, Iowa Geological Survey, 

scale 1:500,000. 

Hoyer, B.E., ed., 1973, Resource development land and water use 

management, eleven county region, south central Iowa: Iowa 

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series 4, scale 

1:250,000. 

Munter, J.A., Ludvigson, G.A., and Bunker, B.J., 1983, Hydrogeology and stratigraphy of the Dakota Formation, northwest 

Iowa: Iowa Geological Survey Water-Supply Bulletin 13, 55 

p., scale 1:500,000. 

KANSAS 

Overview of Quaternary deposits. -Surface sediments in Kansas are dominantly clayey tilL Large areas of 

surficial stratified deposits, generally coarse grained, are 

confined to the valleys of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. 

These glacial sediments are old, and the deposits are thin 

where the landscape is dissected; in places, the till cover is 

patchy, and bedrock or rock residuum exposures are common. Thick surficial deposits are present only in less 

dissected areas overlying buried preglacial or interglacial 

valleys. 

Surficial information.-A statewide compilation 

(Denne, 1986), scale 1:1,000,000, provided an adequate 

map for use in compiling the Quaternary sediments map. 

Although local, more detailed studies exist for some areas 

of the State, this map is a modem overview of the surface 

geology that is well suited to the classification scheme used 

on the Quaternary sediments map; a reinterpretation of the 

map was therefore not necessary. The reliability of the data 

is considered to be moderate. 

Thickness information.-A generalized map of sediment thickness was derived from 17 data sources containing 

well data, cross sections, bedrock topographic maps, and a 

sediment thickness map of one county. The reliability of the 

data varies areally depending on the type of data available; 

overall, the reliability of the data is moderately low. 

Subsurface information.-The character and geometry of glacial deposits in the subsurface are not well known 

in Kansas. In areas of thick (more than 20ft) loess cover, 

the character of the underlying sediments was inferred on 

the Quaternary sediments map. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Bayne, C.K., 1973, Geohydrology of Doniphan County, northeastern Kansas: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-462, scale 1:62,500. 

Bayne, C.K., and Schoewe, W.H., 1967, Geology and groundwater resources of Brown County, Kansas: State Geological 

Survey of Kansas Bulletin 186, 68 p. 

*Denne, J.E., 1986, The Quaternary deposits of Kansas: Kansas 

Geological Survey Geology Series Map 3, scale 1:1,000,000. 

Fishel, V.C., 1948, Ground-water resources of the Kansas City, 

Kansas, area: State Geological Survey of Kansas Bulletin 71, 

109 p. 

State Geological Survey of Kansas, 1964, Geologic map of 

Kansas: Lawrence, Kans., scale 1:500,000. 

Ward, J.R., 1973, Geohydrology of Atchison County, northeastern Kansas: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-467, scale 1:62,500. 

Thickness Information 

Bayne, C.K., 1973, Geohydrology of Doniphan County, northeastern Kansas: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-462, scale 1:200,000. 

Kansas 23 
Bayne, C.K., and Schoewe, W.H., 1967, Geology and groundwater resources of Brown County, Kansas: State Geological 

Survey of Kansas Bulletin 186, 68 p. 

Bayne, C.K., and Ward, J.R., 1967, Saturated thickness and 

specific yield of Cenozoic deposits in Kansas: State Geological Survey of Kansas Map M-5, scale 1:500,000. 

Beck, H.V., 1959, Geology and ground-water resources of 

Kansas River valley between Wamego and Topeka vicinity: 

State Geological Survey of Kansas Bulletin 135, 88 p. 

Davis, S.N., and Carlson, W.A., 1952, Geology and groundwater resources of the Kansas River valley between Lawrence 

and Topeka, Kansas: State Geological Survey of Kansas 

Bulletin 96, Part 5, p. 201-276. 

Denne, J.E., and Miller, R.E., 1985, Basic data for the hydrogeology and geochemistry of glacial deposits in northeastern 

Kansas: Kansas Geological Survey Open-File Report 85-10. 

Dreeszen, V.H., and Burchett, R.R., 1971, Buried valleys in the 

lower part of the Missouri River basin, in Pleistocene 

stratigraphy of Missouri River valley along the KansasMissouri border, guidebook for the 20th meeting of the 

Midwest Friends of the Pleistocene: State Geological Survey 

of Kansas Special Distribution Publication 53, p. 21-25. 

Emmett, L.F., andJeffery, H.G., 1969, Reconnaissance of the 

ground-water resources of the Missouri River alluvium 

between Kansas City, Missouri, and the Iowa border: U.S. 

Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-336, 

scale 1:125,000. 

Fishel, V.C., 1948, Ground-water resources of the Kansas City, 

Kansas, area: State Geological Survey of Kansas Bulletin 71, 

109 p. 

Fishel, V.C., and Lohman, S.W., 1948, Ground-water resources 

of Republic County and northern Cloud County, Kansas: 

State Geological Survey of Kansas Bulletin 73, 194 p. 

Frye, J.C., and Leonard, A.B., 1952, Pleistocene geology of 

Kansas: State Geological Survey of Kansas Bulletin 99, 230 

p. 

O'Connor, H.G., 1960, Geology and ground-water resources of 

Douglas County, Kansas: State Geological Survey of Kansas 

Bulletin 148, 200 p. 

Walters, K.L., 1953, Geology and ground-water resources of 

Jackson County, Kansas: State Geological Survey of Kansas 

Bulletin 101,90 p. 

---1954, Geology and ground-water resources of Marshall 

County, Kansas: State Geological Survey of Kansas Bulletin 

106, 116 p. 

Walters, K.L., and Bayne, C.K., 1959, Geology and groundwater resources of Clay County, Kansas: State Geological 

Survey of Kansas Bulletin 136, 106 p. 

Ward, J.R ..• 1973, Geohydrology of Atchison County, northeastem Kansas: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-467, scale 1:190,000. 

---1974, Geohydrology of Nemaha County, northeastern 

Kansas: Kansas Geological Survey Ground Water Series 2, 

19 p., scale approx. 1:280,000. 

KENTUCKY 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-Glacial ice covered a small area of northern Kentucky for a relatively short 

time. The glacial deposits that remain on the rugged 

landscape are relatively old and are thin and highly dissected by modem erosion. In places, they are difficult to 

distinguish from nonglacial, colluvial material. Glacial and 

glacially related sediments are dominantly stratified. They 

are coarse grained in the Ohio River valley and fine grained 

in tributaries to the Ohio River, which were dammed by 

glacial outwash in the Ohio River channel. 

Surficial information.-The distribution of glacial 

sediment, largely till, on the uplands was derived from the 

State geologic map (McDowell and others, 1981). The 

character of the stratified deposits and the distribution of 

loess were inferred from the statewide geologic map coverage at 1:24,000 scale. More than 150 geologic maps were 

used to compile the surface and thickness data. Overall, the 

reliability of the data and interpretations is considered to be 

moderate. 

Thickness information. -Sediment thickness was 

derived from geologic unit descriptions on 1:24,000-scale 

geologic maps and from a limited number of 1 :24,000-scale 

bedrock-surface topographic maps. More than 150 geologic 

maps were used to compile the surface and thickness data. 

The reliability of the data is considered to be moderate. 

Subsurface information.-The glacial and glacially 

related deposits in Kentucky are not well described, and 

their subsurface variability is unknown. In areas of thick 

loess (more than 20 ft), the character of the underlying 

sediment was inferred on the Quaternary sediments map. 

Surficial, Stack-Unit, and Thickness Information 

References for surficial, stack-unit, and thickness 

mapping are combined into one list to avoid redundancy. 

Amos, D.H., 1965, Geology of parts of the Shetlerville and 

Rosiclare quadrangles, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-400, scale 1:24,000. 

---1966, Geologic map of the Golconda quadrangle, 

Kentucky-lllinois, and the part of the Brownfield quadrangle 

in Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-546, scale 1:24,000. 

---1967, Geologic map of part of the Smithfield quadrangle, 

Livingston County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-{)57; scale 1:24,000. 

--1970, Geologic map of parrs of the Alton and Derby 

quadrangles, Meade and Breckinridge Counties, Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-845, 

scale 1:24,000. 

---1971, Geologic map of part of the Leavenworth quadrangle, Meade County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-941, scale 1:24,000. 

---1974, Geologic map of the Burna quadrangle, Livingston 

County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1150, scale 1:24,000. 

24 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Amos, D.H., and Finch, W.l., 1968, Geologic map of the Calvert 

City quadrangle, Livingston and Marshall Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-731, scale 1:24,000. 

Amos, D.H., and Hays, W.H., 1974, Geologic map of the 

Dycusburg quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1149, scale 1:24,000. 

Amos, D.H., and Wolfe, E.W., 1966, Geologic map of the Little 

Cypress quadrangle, Kentucky-Illinois: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-354, scale 1:24,000. 

Baker, L.N., 1963, Geologic map of the New Madrid Southeast 

and the Hubbard Lake quadrangles in Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-292, scale 

1:24,000. 

Ball, T.E., 1973, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop 

of a selected bed beneath alluvial deposits of part of the 

Henderson quadrangle, Henderson County, Kentucky: U.S. 

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 

J-812, scale 1:24,000. 

Blade, L.V., 1965, Geologic map of the Hickory quadrangle, 

Graves County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-457, scale 1:24,000. 

Calvert, R.H., 1966, Geologic map of the Maceo quadrangle, 

Daviess and Hancock Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-570, scale 1 :24,000. 

Carpenter, G.L., Jr., 1971, Map showing bedrock topography and 

subcrop of selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of part of 

the Owensboro West quadrangle, in Daviess County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic 

Investigations Series Map I-633, scale I :24,000. 

Chaplin, J.R., 1978, Geologic map of the Garrison quadrangle, 

Kentucky-Ohio, and part of the Pond Run quadrangle, Lewis 

County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1490, scale 1:24,000. 

Dobrovolny, E., Ferm, J.C., and Eroskay, S.O., 1966, Geologic 

map of parts of the Greenup and Ironton quadrangles, 

Greenup and Boyd Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-532, scale 1:24,000. 

Fairer, G.M., 1973, map of the Poole quadrangle, 

western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1088, scale 1:24,000. 

---1973, Geologic map of the Robards quadrangle, Henderson and Webster Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1084, scale 1:24,000. 

---1975, Geologic map of the Waverly quadrangle, Union 

and Henderson Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1220, scale 1:24,000. 

Fairer, G.M., and Norris, R.L., 1973, Geologic map of the 

Curdsville quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1039, scale 1:24,000. 

Fairer, G.M., Norris, R.L., and Johnson, W.D., Jr., 1975, 

Geologic map of the Beech Grove quadrangle, western 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1230, scale 1:24,000. 

Finch, W.I., 1963, Geology of the Water Valley quadrangle in 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-269, scale 1:24,000. 

---1964, Geology of the Symsonia quadrangle, Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-326, 

scale 1:24,000. 

---1966, Geologic map of the Paducah West and part of the 

Metropolis quadrangles, Kentucky-Illinois: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-557, scale 1:24,000. 

--1967, Geologic map of part of the Joppa quadrangle, 

McCracken County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-652, scale 1:24,000. 

---1971, Geologic map of part of the Bondurant quadrangle, 

Fulton County, Kentucky, and New Madrid and Mississippi 

Counties, Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-944, scale I :24,000. 

--1971, Geologic map of part of the Hickman quadrangle, 

Fulton County, Kentucky, and Mississippi County, Missouri: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-874, 

scale 1:24,000. 

Finch, W.I., Olive, W.W., and Wolfe, E.W., 1964, Ancient lake 

in western Kentucky and southern Illinois: U.S. Geological 

Survey Professional Paper 501-C, p. Cl30-CJ33. 

Franklin, G.J., 1965, Geology of the Hanson quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic. Quadrangle Map 

GQ-365, scale 1:24,000. 

---1967, Geologic map of the Coiltown quadrangle, Hopkins 

County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-629, scale 1:24,000. 

---1969, Geologic map of the Nebo quadrangle, Webster and 

Hopkins Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-777, scale 1:24,000. 

--1973, Geologic map of the Millport quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Hopkins Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1050, scale 1:24,000. 

Gallaher, J. T., 1963, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits 

along the Ohio River in the Hawesville and Cloverport areas, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations 

Atlas HA-72, scale 1:24,000. 

---1963, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River in the Lewisport and Owensboro areas, Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas 

HA-74, scale 1:24,000. 

--1963, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River in the Spottsville and Reed areas, Kentucky: U.S. 

Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-96, 

scale 1:24,000. 

--1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River between the Uniontown area and Wickliffe, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations 

Atlas HA-129, scale 1:24,000. 

---1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River between the Wolf Creek and West Point areas, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations 

Atlas HA-95, scale 1:24,000. 

--1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River in the Henderson area, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-91, scale 

1:24,000. 

--1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River in the Stanley area, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-l 10, scale 

1:24,000. 

Kentucky 25 
Gibbons, A.B., 1972, Geologic map of parts of the Burlington and 

Addyston quadrangles, Boone County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1025, scale 

1:24,000. 

---1973, Geologic map of parts of the Newport and Withamsville quadrangles, Campbell and Kenton Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-1072, scale 1:24,000. 

---1975, Geologic map of the Worthville quadrangle, northcentral Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1265, scale 1:24,000. 

---1978, Geologic map of part of the Madison East quadrangle, Trimble and Carroll Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-14 71, scale 

1:24,000. 

Gibbons, A.B., Kohut, J.J., and Weiss, M.P., 1975, Geologic 

map of the New Richmond quadrangle, Kentucky-Ohio: U.S. 

Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1228, 

scale 1:24,000. 

Gibbons, A.B., and Weiss, M.P., 1972, Geologic map of the 

Maysville West quadrangle, Kentucky-Ohio: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1005, scale 

1:24,000. 

Goudarzi, G.H., 1968, Geologic map of the Hartford quadrangle, 

Ohio County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-741, scale 1:24,000. 

---1969, Geologic map of the Equality quadrangle, western 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-815, scale 1:24,000. 

---1971, Geologic map of the Panther quadrangle, Daviess 

County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-866, scale 1:24,000. 

Goudarzi, G.H., and Smith, A.E., 1971, Geologic map of part of 

the Owensboro West quadrangle, in Daviess County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-890, scale 1:24,000. 

Hansen, D.E., 1975, Geologic map of the Sebree quadrangle, 

Webster County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1238, scale 1:24,000. 

---1976, Geologic map of the Dixon quadrangle, Webster 

- County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1293, scale 1:24,000. 

---1976, Geologic map of the Sacramento quadrangle, westem Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1306, scale 1:24,000. 

---1978, Geologic map of the Livermore quadrangle, western 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1467, scale 1:24,000. 

Johnson, W.O., Jr., 1972, Geologic map of parts of the Newburgh 

and Yankeetown quadrangles, Henderson and Daviess Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1045, scale 1:24,000. 

---1972, Geologic map of the Reed quadrangle, KentuckyIndiana: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-1038, scale 1:24,000. 

---1973, Geologic map of part of the Evansville South 

quadrangle, Henderson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1089, scale 1:24,000. 

---1973, Geologic map of part of the Henderson quadrangle, 

Henderson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1074, scale 1:24,000. 

---1973, Geologic map of the Delaware quadrangle, western 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1087, scale 1:24,000. 

---1973, Geologic map of the Spottsville quadrangle, Henderson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-1090, scale 1:24,000. 

---1974, Geologic map of part of the Wilson quadrangle, 

Henderson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1136, scale 1:24,000. 

---1974, Geologic map of parts of the West Franklin, Cabom, 

and Mount Vernon quadrangles, Henderson and Union Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1152, scale 1:24,000. 

---1975, Geologic map of the Calhoun quadrangle, western 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1239, scale 1:24,000. 

Johnson, W.O., Jr., and Norris, R.L., 1974, Geologic map of the 

Smith Mills quadrangle, Henderson and Union Counties, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1215, scale 1:24,000. 

---1976, Geologic map of the Uniontown and Wabash Island 

quadrangles, Union and Henderson Counties, Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-1291, scale 1:24,000. 

Johnson, W.O., Jr., and Smith, A.E., 1968, Geologic map of part 

of the Owensboro East quadrangle, in Daviess County, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-751, scale 1:24,000. 

---1969, Geologic map of the Sutherland quadrangle, Daviess 

County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-839, scale 1:24,000. 

---1973, Geologic map of the Glenville quadrangle, McLean 

and Daviess Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1046, scale 1:24,000. 

Johnson, W.O., Jr., Smith, A.E., and Fairer, G.M., 1975, 

Geologic map of the Morganfield quadrangle, Union County, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1269, scale 1:24,000. 

Kehn, T.M., 1966, Geologic map of the Providence quadrangle, 

western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-491, scale 1:24,000. 

---1968, Geologic map of the Graham quadrangle, western 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-765, scale 1:24,000. 

---1974, Geologic map of parts of the Dekoven and Saline 

Mines quadrangles, Crittenden and Union Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-1147, scale 1:24,000. 

---1974, Geologic map of the Paradise quadrangle, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1173, scale 1:24,000. 

---1975, Geologic map of the Bordley quadrangle, Union and 

Webster Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1275, scale 1:24,000. 

---1975, Geologic map of the Sturgis quadrangle, western 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1273, scale 1:24,000. 

26 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Kepferle, R.C., 1967, Geologic map of the Colesburg quadrangle, 

Hardin and Bullitt Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-602, scale 1:24,000. 

---1968, Geologic map of the Shepherdsville quadrangle, 

Bullitt County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-740, scale 1:24,000. 

---1972, Geologic map of the Brooks quadrangle, Bullitt and 

Jefferson Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map_ GQ-961, scale 1:24,000. 

---1972, Geologic map of the Valley Station quadrangle, and 

part of the Kosmosdale quadrangle, north-central Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-962, 

scale 1:24,000. 

---1974, Geologic map of parts of the Jeffersonville, New 

Albany, and Charlestown quadrangles, Kentucky-Indiana: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-1211, scale 1:24,000. \ 

---1974, Geologic map of parts of the Louisville West and 

Lanesville quadrangles, Jefferson, County, Kentucky: U.S. 

Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1202, 

scale 1:24,000. 

---1974, Geologic map of the Louisville East quadrangle, 

Jefferson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1203, scale 1:24,000. 

---1977, Geologic map of the Fort Knox quadrangle, northcentral Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1375, scale 1:24,000. 

---1977, Geologic map of the Pitts Point quadrangle, Bullitt 

and Hardin Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1376, scale 1:24,000. 

Lambert, T.W., and MacCary, L.M., 1964, Geology of the 

Briensburg quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-327, scale 1:24,000. 

Lee, K. Y., 1974, Geologic map of the Oakton quadrangle and part 

of the Wolf Island quadrangle, Hickman and Fulton Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1187, scale 1:24,000. 

Luft, S.J., 1969, Geologic map of the Independence quadrangle, 

Kenton and Boone Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-785, scale 1:24,000. 

---1970, Geologic map of the De Mossville quadrangle, 

north-central Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-862, scale 1:24,000. 

---1971, Geologic map of part of the Covington quadrangle, 

northern Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-955, scale 1:24,000. 

---1972, Geologic map of the Butler quadrangle, Pendleton 

and Campbell Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-982, scale 1:24,000. 

McDowell, R.C., Grabowski, G.J., Jr., and Morse, S.L., 1981, 

Geologic map of Kentucky: Reston, Va., U.S. Geological 

Survey, scale 1:250,000. 

Moore, F.B., 1977, Geologic map of the Gratz quadrangle, Owen 

and Henry Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1359, scale 1:24,000. 

Moore, S.L., 1974, Geologic map of the South Hill quadrangle, 

Butler and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1180, scale 1:24,000. 

Morris, R.H., and Pierce, K.L., 1967, Geologic map of the 

Vanceburg quadrangle, Kentucky-Ohio: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-598, scale 1:24,000. 

Norris, R.L., 1973, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of the Curdsville quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-765, scale 

1:24,000. 

--1973, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of 

selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of the Delaware 

quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-825, scale I :24,000. 

--1973, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of 

selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of the Reed quadrangle, Kentucky-Indiana: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-802, scale 1:24,000. 

---1973, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of 

selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of the Spottsville 

quadrangle, Henderson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-814, scale 

1:24,000. 

---1974, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of 

selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of parts of the Newburgh and Yankeetown quadrangles, Henderson and Daviess 

Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map I-803, scale l :24,000. 

--1974, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of 

selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of parts of the West 

Franklin, Caborn, and Mount Vernon quadrangles, Henderson and Union Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-864, scale 

1:24,000. 

---1975, Map showing bedrock topography and area of 

occurrence of Madisonville limestone member of Sturgis 

formation (upper Pennsylvanian) beneath alluvial deposits of 

the Smith Mills quadrangle, Henderson and Union Counties, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-889, scale 1:24,000. 

---1975, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of 

selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of the Beech Grove 

quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-887, scale 1:24,000. 

Olive, W.W., 1963, Geology of the Elva quadrangle, Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-230, 

scale 1:24,000. 

---1966, Geologic map of the Heath quadrangle, McCracken 

and Ballard Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-561, scale 1:24,000. 

---1966, Geologic map of the Paducah East quadrangle, in 

western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-531, scale 1:24,000. 

---1967, Geologic map of part of the Cayce quadrangle, 

Hickman and Fulton Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-601, scale 1:24,000. 

---1969, Geologic map of parts of the Bandana and Olmsted 

quadrangles, McCracken and Ballard Counties, Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-797, 

scale 1:24,000. 

Kentucky 27 
---1971, Geologic map of parts of the Cairo and Barlow 

quadrangles, Ballard County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-885, scale 1:24,000. 

--1971, Geologic map of the Blandville quadrangle, Ballard 

and Carlisle Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-938, scale l :24,000. 

---1972, Geologic map of the Clinton quadrangle, Hickman 

County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1030, scale 1:24,000. 

--1974, Geologic map of the Wickliffe quadrangle, 

Kentucky-Missouri, and the part of the Wyatt quadrangle in 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1161, scale 1:24,000. 

--1976, Geologic map of parts of the Arlington and Wickliffe Southwest quadrangles, Carlisle and Hickman Counties, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1329, scale 1:24,000. 

Olive, W.W., and Davis, R.W., 1968, Geologic map of the Oak 

Level quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-744, scale 1:24,000. 

Palmer, J.E., 1966, Geologic map of the Dalton quadrangle, 

western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-490, scale 1:24,000. 

---1972, Geologic map of the Central City East quadrangle, 

Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1031, scale 1:24,000. 

---1976, Geologic map of the Grove Center quadrangle, 

Kentucky-Illinois, and part of the Shawneetown quadrangle, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1314, scale 1:24,000. 

Peck, J.H., and Pierce, K.L., 1966, Geologic map of part of the 

Manchester Island quadrangle, Lewis County, Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-581, 

scale 1:24,000. 

Peterson, W.L., 1966, Geologic map of the Nelsonville quadrangle, central Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-564, scale 1:24,000. 

---1966, Geologic map of the New Haven quadrangle, Nelson 

and Larue Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-506, scale 1:24,000. 

---1967, Geologic map of the Lebanon Junction quadrangle, 

central Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-603, scale I :24,000. 

Price, W.E., Jr., 1963, Geology and hydrology of alluvial 

deposits along the Ohio River between South Portsmouth and 

the Manchester Islands, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-73, scale 1:24,000. 

---1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River between Catlettsburg and South Portsmouth, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations 

Atlas HA-75, scale 1:24,000. 

--1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River between Ethridge and the Twelve-mile Island, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations 

Atlas HA-97, scale 1:24,000. 

--1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River between Newport and Warsaw, Kentucky: U.S. 

Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-98, 

scale 1:24,000. 

--1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River between Prospect and southwestern Louisville, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations 

Atlas HA-130, scale 1:24,000. 

--1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River between southwestern Louisville and West Point, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations 

Atlas HA-111, scale 1:24,000. 

--1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial deposits along the 

Ohio River between the Manchester Islands and Silver 

Grove, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-94, scale 1:24,000. 

Schilling, F.A., Jr., and Peck, J.H., 1967, Geologic map of the 

Orangeburg quadrangle, northeastern Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-588, scale 

1:24,000. 

Scott, G.R., and MacCary, LM., 1968, Geologic map of the 

Hardin quadrangle, Marshall County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-759, scale 

1:24,000. 

Seeland, D.A., 1968, Geologic map of part of the Repton 

quadrangle, in Crittenden County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-754, scale 

1:24,000. 

Sheppard, R.A., 1964, Geology of the Portsmouth quadrangle, 

Kentucky-Ohio, and parts of the Wheelersburg and New 

Boston quadrangles, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-312, scale 1:24,000. 

Sims, J.P., 1972, Geologic map of the Dublin quadrangle, Graves 

and Hickman Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-972, scale 1:24,000. 

Smith, A.E., 1969, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of the Sutherland quadrangle, Daviess County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-596, 

scale 1:24,000. 

--1971, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of 

selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of the Panther quadrangle, Daviess County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-598, scale 

1:24,000. 

---1973, Map showing bedrock topography beneath alluvial 

deposits of the Glenville quadrangle, McLean and Daviess 

Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map 1-760, scale 1:24,000. 

---1975, Map showing bedrock topography beneath alluvial 

deposits of the Calhoun quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. 

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 

I-906, scale 1:24,000. 

--1976, Map showing ' bedrock topography and subcrop of 

selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of the Grove Center 

quadrangle and part of the Shawneetown quadrangle, Kentucky-IIlinois:U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-954, scale I :24,000. 

---1977, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of 

selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of the Sacramento 

quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-1036, scale 1:24,000. 

--1978, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of 

selected beds beneath alluvial deposits of the Livermore 

28 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
quadrangle, western Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-1085, scale 1:24,000. 

Smith, A.E., and Ball, T.E., 1973, Map showing bedrock 

topography and subcrop of selected beds beneath alluvial 

deposits of the Evansville South quadrangle, Henderson 

County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map 1-826, scale 1:24,000. 

---1974, Map showing bedrock topography and subcrop of a 

selected bed beneath alluvial deposits of part of the Wilson 

quadrangle, Henderson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-859, scale 

1:24,000. 

Smith, A.E., and Norris, R.L., 1976, Map showing bedrock 

topography and subcrop and area of occurrence of selected 

beds beneath alluvial deposits of parts of the Uniontown and 

Wabash Island quadrangles, Union and Henderson Counties, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-938, scale 1:24,000. 

Spencer, F.D., 1964, Geology of parts of the Rockport and 

Lewisport quadrangles, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-315, scale 1:24,000. 

--1964, Geology of the Tell City quadrangle, KentuckyIndiana: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ--356, scale 1:24,000. 

Swadley, W C, 1969, Geologic map of parts of the Patriot and 

Florence quadrangles, north-central Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-846, scale 

1:24,000. 

---1969, Geologic map of the Union quadrangle, Boone 

County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-779, scale 1:24,000. 

---1971 , Geologic map of part of the Rising Sun quadrangle, 

Boone County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-929, scale 1:24,000. 

---1972, Geologic map of parts of the Lawrenceburg, Aurora, 

and Hooven quadrangles, Boone County, Kentucky: U.S. 

Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-989, scale 

1:24,000. 

---1973, Geologic map of the Sanders quadrangle, northcentral Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ--1095, scale 1:24,000. 

---1974, Geologic map of parts of the Vevay South and 

Vevay North quadrangles, north-central Kentucky: U.S. 

Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1123, 

scale 1:24,000. 

---1974, Geologic map of the Glencoe quadrangle, northcentral Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1154, scale 1:24,000. 

---1976, Geologic map of part of the Carrollton quadrangle, 

Carroll and Trimble Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1281 , scale I :24,000. 

---1977, Geologic map of part of the Bethlehem quadrangle, 

Trimble and Oldham Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1436, scale I :24,000. 

---1977, Geologic map of the Bedford quadrangle, northcentral Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1409, scale 1:24,000. 

---1978, Geologic map of part of the Madison West quadrangle, Trimble County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1469, scale 1:24,000. 

Swanson, R.W., 1970, Geologic map of the Melber quadrangle, 

Graves and McCracken Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ--860, scale 1:24,000. 

---1978, Geologic map of the La Center quadrangle, Ballard 

and McCracken Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1417, scale 1:24,000. 

Swanson, R.W., and Wilshire, H.G., 1967, Geologic map of the 

Westplains quadrangle, Graves County, Kentucky: U.S. 

Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-587, scale 

1:24,000. 

Trace, R.D., 1974, Geologic map of part of the Cave In Rock 

quadrangle, Crittenden County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-1201, scale 1:24,000. 

Wilshire, H.G., 1963, Geology of the Crutchfield quadrangle in 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-270, scale 1:24,000. 

MAINE 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-Surface sediments in Maine are dominantly till, which is more silty in 

the northern third of the State and more sandy to the south. 

In northeastern Maine, peat deposits generally less than 20 

ft thick are common. Large areas of stratified deposits are 

more or less confined to the coastal region that was invaded 

by the sea following retreat of the last ice sheet. In this area, 

fine-grained sediment predominates, whereas, in low-lying 

areas elsewhere, coarser grained stratified deposits occur. 

Outside the area of marine incursion, sediment thickness 

rarely exceeds 20 ft except in drumlins, and bedrock 

exposures are numerous in many places. In the southern 

third ofthe State, sediment thicknesses between 50 and 100 

ft are more common, especially in partly buried glacial 

valleys both north and south of the marine limit. 

Surficial information.-A State surficial geologic 

map (Thompson and Borns, 1985), scale 1:500,000, was 

used for the Quaternary sediments map directly without any 

reinterpretation of map units. The reliability of map data is 

considered to be high. 

Thickness information.-Thickness data were derived 

from nearly 80 data sources including well-data publications and sediment-thickness maps. The data coverage and 

reliability are best in the southern third of the State, due to 

emphasis of mapping in this more densely populated area. 

The northern part of Maine is sparsely populated; consequently, data on depth to bedrock are sparse. However, the 

sediment cover is known to be generally thin, so that the 

lack of data is less significant than if the sediment cover 

were very thick. Overall, the reliability of the map data is 

considered to be moderate. 

Subsurface information.-In Maine, the variability of 

glacial deposits in the subsurface is not well known. 

Maine 29 
Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Thompson, W.B., and Borns, H.W., Jr., eds., 1985, Surficial 

geologic map of Maine: Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological 

Survey, scale 1:500,000. 

Thickness Information 

Caswell, W.B., Jr., 1974, Physical resources of Knox County, 

Maine: Maine Geological Survey Physical Resources Series 

PR-1, scale 1:125,000. 

Caswell, W.B., Jr., and Lanctot, E.M., 1975, Ground water 

resource maps of Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties: Augusta, 

Maine, Maine Geological Survey, scale 1:250,000. 

---1975, Ground water resource maps of southern Hancock 

County: Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological Survey, scale 

1:250,000. 

---1975, Ground water resource maps of Waldo County: 

Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological Survey, scale 1:250,000. 

---1975, Ground water resource maps of York County: 

Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological Survey, scale 1:250,000. 

---1976, Ground water resource maps of Cumberland County: 

Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological Survey, scale 1:250,000. 

---1976, Ground water resource maps of southern Penobscot 

County: Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological Survey, scale 

1:250,000. 

---1976, Ground water resource maps of southern Washington County: Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological Survey, 

scale 1 :250,000. 

---1977, Ground water resource maps of Knox County: 

Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological Survey, scale 1:250,000. 

---1977, Ground water resource maps of southern Kennebec 

County: Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological Survey, scale 

1:250,000. 

---1978, Ground water resource maps of Androscoggin 

County: Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological Survey, scale 

1:250,000. 

Caswell, W.B., Jr., Tolman, A.L., and Lanctot, E.M., compilers, 1979 to 1981, Sand and gravel aquifer maps: Augusta, 

Maine, Maine Geological Survey Open-File Maps, scale 

1:50,000. 

Knebel, H.J., and Scanlon, K.M., 1985, Maps showing sea-floor 

topography, depth to bedrock, and sediment thickness, 

Penobscot Bay, Maine: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Investigations Map MF-1751, scale 1:100,000. 

Loiselle, M.C., and Lanctot, E.M., 1982, Shallow land burial 

area screening study: Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological 

Survey, 25 p. 

Lowell, Thomas, 1980, Evaluation of the mineral potential, upper 

St. John River valley, Aroostook County, Maine: Maine 

Geological Survey Open-File 80-14e, 28 p. 

Morissey, D.J., 1983, Hydrology of the Little Androscoggin 

River valley aquifer, Oxford County, Maine: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 83-4018, 

87 p., scale 1:24,000. 

Prescott, G.C., Jr., 1964, Lower Penobscot basin area: U.S. 

Geological Survey Maine Basic-Data Report no. 2, GroundWater Series, 40 p. 

---1967, Lower Androscoggin River basin area: U.S. Geological Survey Maine Basic-Data Report no. 3, GroundWater Series, 63 p. 

---1968, Lower Kennebec River basin area: U.S. Geological 

Survey Maine Basic-Data Report no. 4, Ground-Water 

Series, 38 p. 

---1970, Lower Aroostook River basin area: U.S. Geological 

Survey Maine Basic-Data Report no. 5, Ground-Water 

Series, 30 p. 

---1971, Lower St. John River valley area: U.S. Geological 

Survey Maine Basic-Data Report no. 6, Ground-Water 

Series, 22 p. 

---1971, Meduxnekeag River-Prestile stream basins area: 

U.S. Geological Survey Maine Basic-Data Report no. 7, 

Ground-Water Series, 17 p. 

---1973, Southern Washington County area: U.S. Geological 

Survey Maine Basic-Data Report no. 8, Ground-Water 

Series, 32 p. 

---1976, Windham-Freeport-Portland area: U.S. Geological 

Survey Maine Basic-Data Report no. 9, Ground-Water 

Series, 48 p. 

---1979, Royal, upper Presumpscot, and upper Saco River 

basins, Maine: U.S. Geological Survey Maine HydrologicData Report no. 10, Ground-Water Series, 43 p. 

Prescott, G.C., Jr., and Drake, J.A., 1962, Southwestern area: 

U.S. Geological Survey Maine Basic-Data Report no. l, 

Ground-Water Series, 35 p. 

Tolman, A.L., Tepper, D.H., Prescott, G.C., and Gammon, 

S. 0. , 1983, Hydrogeology of significant sand and gravel 

aquifers, northern York and southern Cumberland Counties, 

Maine: Maine Geological Survey Open-File 83-1, scale 

1:125,000. 

Additional Reference 

Osberg, P.H., Hussey, A.M., and Boone, G.M., 1985, Bedrock 

geologic map of Maine: Augusta, Maine, Maine Geological 

Survey, scale 1:500,000. (Till texture) 

MASSACHUSETTS 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-On the upland 

areas of Massachusetts, surface sediments are dominantly 

sandy till. These deposits are generally quite thin (less than 

20ft thick), and bedrock exposures are common in places. 

A compact, silty till more than 20 ft thick is largely 

confined to drumlins. The eastern third of the State is 

covered by roughly equal amounts of till and coarse grained 

stratified sediment. Thick sediment, dominantly coarse 

grained and stratified, is largely confined to the valleys and 

coastal areas of the State. In the valleys and coastal areas 

west of Cape Cod, sediment thicknesses of 50 to 200ft are 

common. On Cape Cod and the southern islands, sediment 

is locally as much as 400 ft thick. 

Surficial information.-Map data were compiled 

directly from unpublished, 1:125,000-scale data (Stone, 

1985). This map information portrays the surficial materials 

30 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
and so was readily incorporated into the Quaternary sediments map without the need for reinterpretation. The 

reliability of the map data is considered to be high. 

Thickness information.-An unpublished map 

(Stone, 1986) of the thickness of surficial materials, scale 

l: 125,000, was compiled by the author of the unpublished 

State surficial materials map from numerous well data. The 

reliability of the map data is considered to be high. 

Subsurface information.-The lithology of subsurface units is generally known from well data. Selected 

buried units were shown diagrammatically on the Quaternary sediments map. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Stone, B.D., 1985, Surficial materials of Massachusetts: Reston, 

Va., U.S. Geological Survey, unpublished map, scale 

1:125,000. 

Thickness Information 

Stone, B.D., 1986, Thickness of surficial materials in Massachusetts: Reston, Va., U.S. Geological Survey, unpublished 

maps, scale 1:125,000. 

MICHIGAN 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-On Michigan's 

southern peninsula, the region northwest and west of 

Saginaw Bay is covered by sandy till and coarse-grained 

stratified sediment. There, sediment thicknesses commonly 

range between 400 and 800 ft. In the area south of Saginaw 

Bay, surface sediments include clayey, silty, and sandy tills 

and coarse-grained and fine-grained stratified sediment. 

Thicknesses vary greatly, from less than 50 ft, in places 

within the lowlands formerly occupied by ice lobes, to 400 

ft in the interlobate areas. On Michigan's northern peninsula, sandy till and coarse-grained stratified sediment predominate. In the coastal areas of the northern peninsula, 

sediment is generally less than 50 ft thick, and bedrock 

exposures are common in places. Away from the coastal 

region, along the Wisconsin border, surficial coarse-grained 

stratified deposits are dominant, and sediments are generally 50 to 200 ft thick. 

Surficial information.-Map data were compiled 

from a statewide compilation (Farrand and Bell, 1982), 

scale 1:500,000. In some areas, more detailed mapping was 

used. The reliability of the map data is considered to be 

moderate. 

Thickness information.-For roughly half of the 

southern peninsula, 36 county maps of sediment thickness 

provided significant new data to supplement the available 

statewide thickness map of Passero and others (1981). For 

the northern peninsula, surficial geologic and topographic 

maps were used to reinterpret the statewide thickness map. 

Reliability of map data for the southern peninsula is 

considered moderate; for the northern peninsula, data reliability is considered to be low. 

Subsurface information.-In Michigan, the variability of glacial deposits in the subsurface is not well known. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Chapman, L.J., and Putnam, D.F., 1984, The physiography of 

southern Ontario (3d ed.): Ontario Geological Survey Special Volume 2, 270 p., scale 1:600,000. 

*Farrand, W.R., and Bell, D.L., 1982, Quaternary geology of 

northern and southern Michigan: Lansing, Mich., Michigan 

Geological Survey Division, scale 1:500,000. 

Hamdy, Y., and Post, L., 1984, An assessment of the Detroit 

River sediments [abs.]: International Association for Great 

Lakes Research, 27th Conference on Great Lakes Research, 

St. Catharines, Ontario, Program, p. 42. 

Landtiser, G.R., 1974, Soil survey of St. Clair County, Michigan: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 113 p., 

scale 1:253,440. 

Peterson, W.L., 1985, Surficial geologic map of the Iron River 

l

0 X2° quadrangle, Michigan and Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 

I-1360-C, scale 1:250,000. 

Thickness Information 

Bricker, D.M., and Milstein, R.L., 1983, Ogemaw County drift 

thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3452 

DT, scale 1:63,360. 

Cummings, T.R., Twenter, F.R., and Holtschlag, D.J., 1984, 

Hydrology and land use in Van Buren County, Michigan: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 84-4ll2, 124 p., scale 1:290,000. 

Elowski, R.C., 1981, Mason County drift thickness: Michigan 

Geological Survey Division Map 3627 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1982, Newaygo County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3581 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1983, Alcona County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3736 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1983, Crawford County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3623 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1984, Mecosta County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3453 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1984, Montmorency County drift thickness: Michigan 

Geological Survey Division Map 3747 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1985, Oceana County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3455 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

Elowski, R.C., and Bricker, D.M., 1976, Kalkaska County drift 

thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3654 

DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1976, Otsego County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3764 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

Lilienthal, R.T., and Bricker, D.M., 1975, Manistee County drift 

thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3727 

DT, scale 1:63,360. 

Michigan 31 
Milstein, R.L., 1981, Clare County drift thickness: Michigan 

Geological Survey Division Map 3496 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1981, Missaukee County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3564 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1982, Benzie County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3704 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1982, Lake County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3570 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1982, Osceola County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3561 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1983, Alpena County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3745 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1983, Arenac County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3495 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1983, Bay County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3560 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1983, Charlevoix County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3773 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1983, Gladwin County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3440 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1983, Iosco County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3749 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1984, Emmet County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3717 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1984, Midland County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3494 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

Monahan, G.W., Larson, G.J., Forstat, D.W., and Sorensen, 

H.O., 1983, Selected geologic maps of Kalamazoo County, 

Michigan: Michigan Geological Survey Division County 

Geologic Map Series-Kalamazoo, scale 1:100,000. 

Mozola, A.J., and Smith, E.l., 1967, Glacial drift thickness map 

of Wayne County, Michigan: Michigan Geological Survey 

Division Map 3664 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

Ostrander, A.G., 1978, Cheboygan County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3771 DT, scale 

1:63,360. 

Passero, R.N., Straw, W.T., and Schmaltz, L.J., project directors, 1981, Hydrogeologic alias of Michigan: Kalamazoo, 

Mich., Western Michigan University, Department of Geology, scale 1:500,000. 

Puzio, M.C., Larson, G.J., Rieck, R.L., Forstat, D.W., and 

Sorensen, H.O., 1983, Selected geologic maps of Allegan 

County, Michigan: Michigan Geological Survey Division 

County Geologic Map Series-Allegan, scale 1:100,000. 

--1983, Selected geologic maps of Ingham County, Michigan: Michigan Geological Survey Division County Geologic 

Map Series-Ingham, scale 1:100,000. 

Reszka, C.R., 1976, Grand Traverse County drift thickness: 

Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3772 DT, scale 

1:63,360. 

--1983, Antrim County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3767 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1983, Roscommon County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3555 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1983, Wexford County drift thickness: Michigan Geological Survey Division Map 3714 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1984, Isabella County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3477 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

--1984, Oscoda County drift thickness: Michigan Geological 

Survey Division Map 3744 DT, scale 1:63,360. 

MINNESOTA 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-Surface sediments in Minnesota are dominantly silty till; areas of sandy 

till are confined to the northeast, near Lake Superior. The 

largest areas of surficial coarse-grained stratified deposits 

are between lobes fringing the ice lobe basin west of Lake 

Superior and along the margins of glacial Lake Agassiz, in 

the valley of the Red River, northwest Minnesota. Most 

areas of fine-grained stratified deposits are confined to the 

basin of glacial Lake Agassiz. In the northern quarter of the 

State, a veneer of peat and fine-grained sediment overlies 

till. The thickest sediment occurs in central and western 

Minnesota, where thicknesses of 200 to 400 ft are common. 

To the northeast, the sediments are thin and bedrock 

exposures are common. To the southeast, the landscape is 

dissected, the glacial deposits are thin and relatively old, 

and exposures of bedrock and rock residuum are numerous. 

Surficial information.-The Quaternary sediments 

map was compiled largely from a statewide map (Hobbs 

and Goebel, 1982), scale 1:500,000. A moderate amount of 

reinterpretation was required, because the map units are not 

directly equivalent to map units in the classification scheme 

used for the Quaternary sediments map. In places, more 

detailed geologic maps were used to aid reinterpretation. 

Overall, the reliability of the map data is considered to be 

moderate. 

Thickness information.-Thickness data were compiled from a statewide map (Olsen and Mossier, 1982), 

scale 1:1,000,000, and unpublished data. Extensive interpolation of data was required for most of central Minnesota, 

where data are sparse and sediment thicknesses are generally 200 to 400 ft. The reliability of map data is considered 

to be moderately low. 

Subsurface information.-The character and geometry of glacial deposits in the subsurface are not generally 

known in Minnesota. However, the general extent of major 

buried aquifers (from Kanivetsky, 1979) was shown diagrammatically on the Quaternary sediments map. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

*Hobbs, H.C., and Goebel, J.E., 1982, Geologic map of Minnesota, Quaternary geology: Minnesota Geological Survey 

State Map Series S-1, scale 1:500,000. 

Kanivetsky, Roman, 1979, Hydrogeologic map of Minnesota, 

Quaternary hydrogeology: Minnesota Geological Survey 

State Map Series S-3, scale 1:500,000. 

Leverett, Frank, 1932, Quaternary geology of Minnesota and parts 

of adjacent States: U.S. Geological Survey Professional 

Paper 161, 149 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Thickness Information 

Minnesota Geological Survey, unpublished well logs. 

32 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
*Olsen, B.M., and Mossier, J.H., 1982, Geologic map of 

Minnesota, depth to bedrock: Minnesota Geological Survey 

State Map Series S-14, scale 1:1,000,000. 

MISSOURI 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-Surface sediments in Missouri are dominantly clayey till. The till 

deposits are relatively old and dissected. Large areas of 

stratified sediment, generally coarse grained, are confined 

to the valleys of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and 

major tributaries. Sediment thicknesses are greatest, 

commonly between 100 and 200 ft, on the less dissected 

areas of the uplands. Thicknesses decrease from north to 

south, toward the glacial margin, as dissection and the 

relative area of bedrock exposure increase. 

Surficial information.-The Quaternary sediments 

map was compiled from a statewide surficial materials map 

(Whitfield, 1982), scale 1:1,100,000, supplemented by 

unpublished data. A moderate amount of reinterpretation 

was required. The reliability of the map data is considered 

to be moderately low. 

Thickness information.-A highly generalized statewide compilation (Stohr and others, 1981), scale 

1:500,000, served as the basis for compilation of thickness 

data for the Quaternary sediments map. Cross sections, well 

data, bedrock-surface and land-surface topographic maps, 

and surficial geologic information were used to reinterpret 

the thickness data shown on the statewide compilation. The 

reliability of the map data is considered to be low. 

Subsurface information.-The character and geometry of glacial deposits in the subsurface are not well known 

in Missouri. However, in a few places, subsurface units 

were depicted diagrammatically on the Quaternary sediments map. For example, iJ! areas of thick loess (more than 

20 ft), the lithology of the underlying unit was inferred. 

Surficial Information 

Whitfield, J. W., 1982, Surficial materials map of Missouri: Rolla, 

Mo., Missouri Division of Geology and Land Survey, scale 

approx. 1:1,100,000. 

Thickness Information 

Emmett, L.F., and Jeffery, H.G., 1968, Reconnaissance of the 

ground-water resources of the Missouri River alluvium 

between St. Charles and Jefferson City, Missouri: U.S. 

Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-315, 

scale 1:125,000. 

--1969, Reconnaissance of the ground-water resources of the 

Missouri River alluvium between Jefferson City and Miami, 

Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations 

Atlas HA-340, scale 1:125,000. 

--1969, Reconnaissance of the ground-water resources of the 

Missouri River alluvium between Kansas City, Missouri, and 

the Iowa border: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-336, scale 1:125,000. 

--1970, Reconnaissance of the ground-water resources ofthe 

Missouri River alluvium between Miami and Kansas City, 

Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations 

Atlas HA-344, scale 1:125,000. 

Gann, E.E., Harvey, E.J., Barks, J.H., and Fuller, D.L., 1973, 

Water resources of northwestern Missouri: U.S. Geological 

Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-444, 4 sheets. 

Gann, E.E., Harvey, E.J., Jeffery, H.G., and Fuller, D.L., 1971, 

Water resources of northeastern Missouri: U.S. Geological 

Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-372, 4 sheets. 

Heim, G.E., and Howe, W.B., 1962, Map of bedrock topography 

of northwestern Missouri, in Groundwater maps of Missouri: 

Rolla, Mo., Missouri Division of Geological Survey and 

Water Resources, scale 1:300,000. 

*Stohr, C.J., St. Ivany, Gary, and Williams, J.H., 1981, Geologic aspects of hazardous-waste isolation in Missouri: Missouri Division of Geology and Land Survey Engineering 

Geology Report 6, 55 p., scale 1:500,000. 

U.S. Geological Survey and Missouri Division of Geological 

Survey and Water Resources, 1967, Mineral and water 

resources of Missouri: U.S. Congress, 90th, lst sess., Senate 

Doc. 19 (Missouri Division of Geological Survey and Water 

Resources [Report], 2d ser., v. 43), 399 p. 

MONTANA 

Overview of Quaternary deposits. -This report 

includes only the continentally glaciated portion of Montana 

that lies east of the Rocky Mountains. Surface sediments are 

dominantly silty or clayey till, except in easternmost Montana, where the till is more sandy. Large areas of surficial 

stratified sediment, dominantly coarse grained, are confined 

to the valleys of major rivers, including the Missouri and 

Milk Rivers. Sediment thickness is generally less than 50 ft, 

except over preglacial or interglacial buried valleys, where 

thicknesses between 50 and 200 ft are common. In northeastern Montana, more than 400 ft of sediment is known to 

fill buried valleys. Near the glacial margin and on many 

areas of the glaciated uplands, the till cover is patchy and 

bedrock exposures are numerous. The numerous glacial 

lake basins adjacent to the glacial margin, formerly mapped 

as areas of stratified deposits with bedrock exposures, 

contain virtually no glacial deposits. . 

Surficial information.-The character of the surficial 

deposits has been mapped in only a few areas. For the 

Quaternary sediments map, the surface sediments information was compiled by interpreting geologic data from 38 

publications, ranging from 1:24,000-scale geologic maps to 

reconnaissance soil surveys. Much of the mapped area in 

Montana was not covered by these publications. The 

reliability of the map data therefore must be considered low. 

Thickness information.-Thickness data for the Montana part of the Quaternary sediments map were compiled 

Montana 33 
directly from a previous compilation (Bergantino, unpub. 

map, 1976), scale 1:1,000,000. That map is considered to 

be reasonably accurate for that scale. Given the great 

amount of territory that is largely unmapped, the source 

map's small scale is appropriate. The reliability of the map 

data is considered to be moderately low. 

Subsurface information.-The character and geometry of glacial deposits in the subsurface are not well known 

in Montana. However, on the Quaternary sediments map, 

the locations of some buried aquifers in the major buried 

channels are shown diagrammatically. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Alden, W.C., 1932, Physiography and glacial geology of eastern 

Montana and adjacent areas: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 174, 133 p., scale 1:500,000. 

Alverson, D.C., 1965, Geology and hydrology of the Fort 

Belknap Indian Reservation, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1576-F, 59 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Bingham, L.C., Daniels, L.A., Smith, J.H., and Koehler, M.J., 

1984, Soil survey of Valley County, Montana: Washington, 

D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 102 p., scale 

1:570,240. 

Clark, C.O., Farnsworth, D.H., Miller, F.T., and Weight, B.N., 

1982, Soil survey of Cascade County area, Montana: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 329 p., scale 

1:506,880. 

Collier, A.J., and Knechtel, M.M., 1939, The coal resources of 

McCone County, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 

905, 80 p. 

Colton, R.B., Lemke, R.W., and Lindvall, R.M., 1961, Glacial 

map of Montana east of the Rocky Mountains: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-327, 

scale 1:500,000. 

Fisher, C.A., 1909, Geology of the Great Falls coal field, 

Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 356, 85 p., scale 

1:125,000. 

Gieseker, L.F., Morris, E.R., Strahorn, A.T., and Manifold, 

C.B., 1929, Soil survey (reconnaissance) of the northern 

plains of Montana: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 74 p., scale 1:500,000. 

Haigh, J.G., Tarrell, R.D., Parcell, J.T., Hunter, H.E., and 

others, 1980, Soil survey of Glacier County area and part of 

Pondera County, Montana: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, 161 p., scale 1:506,880. 

Hilts, G.B., 1976, Advance sheet of general soil map of Blaine 

County, Montana: Bozeman, Mont., U.S. Soil Conservation 

Service, scale 1:500,000. 

---1985, Advance sheet of general soil map of ChoteauConrad area, parts of Teton and Pondera Counties, Montana: 

Bozeman, Mont., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, scale 

approx. 1:500,000. 

Holder, T.J., and Pescador, Pedro, Jr., 1976, Soil survey of 

Dawson County, Montana: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, 72 p., scale 1:380,160. 

Kerr, J.H., Pecora, W.T., Stewart, D.B., and Dixon, H.R., 1957, 

Preliminary geologic map of the Shambo quadrangle, Bearpaw Mountains, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-236, scale 1:31,680. 

Lemke, R.W., 1977, Geologic map of the Great Falls quadrangle, 

Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-1414, scale 1:62,500. 

Lindvall, R.M., 1953, Geologic map of the Eagleton quadrangle, 

Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-29, scale 1:62,500. 

--1956, Geology of the Big Sandy quadrangle, Montana: 

U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Series Map I-130, scale 1:62,500. 

---1956, Geology of the Kenilworth quadrangle, Montana: 

U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Series Map I-129, scale 1:62,500. 

--1961, Geology of the Boxelder quadrangle, Montana: U.S. 

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations 

Series Map I-338, scale 1:62,500. 

--1962, Geology of the Eagle Buttes quadrangle, Choteau 

County, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Geologic Investigations Series Map I-349, scale 1:62,500. 

Geology of the Eskay quadrangle, Choteau and 

Blaine Counties, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Series Map I-353, scale 

1:62,500. 

Maughan, E.K., 1961, Geologic map of the Vaughn quadrangle, 

Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-135, scale 1:62,500. 

Pecora, W.T., Witkind, I.J., and Stewart, D.B., 1957, Preliminary general geologic map of the Laredo quadrangle, Bearpaw Mountains, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Series Map I-234, scale 

1:31,680. 

Pescado, Pedro, Jr., and Brockmann, L.C., 1980, Soil survey of 

Richland County, Montana: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, 71 p., scale 1:443,520. 

Pritchard, G.E., and Landis, E.R., 1975, Coal resources and 

Cenozoic geology of the Girard coal field, Richland County, 

Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1310, 89 p., scale 

1:62,500. 

Schmidt, R.G., Pecora, W.T., Bryant, Bruce, and Ernst, W.G., 

1960, Geology of the Lloyd quadrangle, Bearpaw Mountains, Blaine County, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey 

Bulletin 1081-E, p. 159-188, scale 1:31,680. 

Schmidt, R.G., Pecora, W.T., and Hearn, B.C., Jr., 1964, 

Geology of the Cleveland quadrangle, Bearpaw Mountains, 

Blaine County, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 

1141-P, 26 p., scale 1:31,680. 

Smith, J.F., Jr., Witkind, I.J., and Trimble, D.E., 1959, Geology 

of the lower Marias River area, Choteau, Hill, and Liberty 

Counties, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 

1071-E, p. 121-155, scale 1:62,500. 

Stewart, D.B., Pecora, W.T., Engstrom, D.B., and Dixon, H.R., 

1957, Preliminary geologic map of the Centennial Mountain 

quadrangle, Bearpaw Mountains, Montana: U.S. Geological 

Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Series Map 

I-235, scale 1:31,680. 

Strom, D.E., 1984, Soil survey of McCone County, Montana: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 361 p., 

scale 1:506,880. 

34 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Svendsen, N.R., 1985, Advance sheet of general soil map of 

Choteau County, Montana: Bozeman, Mont., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, scale 1:500,000. 

Swenson, F.A., 1955, Geology and ground-water resources of the 

Missouri River valley in northeastern Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1263, 128 p., scale 

1:96,000. 

---1957, Geology and ground-water resources of the lower 

Marias irrigation project, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 1460-B, 98 p., scale 1:96,000. 

Torry, A.E., and Kohout, F.A., 1956, Geology and ground-water 

resources of the lower Yellowstone River valley, between 

Glendive and Sidney, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 1355, 92 p., scale 1:125,000. 

U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 1978, Unpublished soil maps 

of parts of Philips County, Montana: Malta, Mont., U.S. 

Bureau of Land Management, scales 1:63,360 and 

1:126,720. 

Van Lewen, M.C., and King, N.J., 1971, Prospects for developing stock-water supplies from wells in northeastern Garfield 

County, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply 

Paper 1999-F, 38 p., scale 1:125,000. 

Weed, W.H., 1899, Description of the Fort Benton quadrangle 

[Montana]: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Atlas, Folio 

55, scale 1:250,000. 

Zimmerman, E.A., 1960, Preliminary report on the geology and 

ground-water resources of northern Blaine County, Montana: 

Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Bulletin 19, 19 p., 

scale 1:125,000. 

Thickness Information 

Bergantino, R.N., 1976, Thickness of unconsolidated deposits in 

Montana, a preliminary map: Butte, Mont., Montana Bureau 

of Mines and Geology, unpublished map, scale 1:1,000,000. 

Additional Reference 

Ross, C.P., Andrews, D.A., and Witkind, I.J., 1955, Geologic 

map of Montana: Washington, D.C., U.S. Geological Survey, scale 1:500,000. (Till texture) 

NEBRASKA 

Overview of Quaternary deposits. -Surface sediments in Nebraska are dominantly clayey till. Large areas of 

stratified deposits, generally coarse grained, occur in the 

valleys of the Missouri and Platte Rivers and along the 

western margin of glaciation. Sediment thickness is greatest 

in the north and west, where 100 to 200 ft of sediment is 

common. To the south and east toward the Missouri River, 

the deposits are thinner and, in places, are less than 50 ft 

thick. To the west, in the extensive area of stratified 

sediment, thicknesses of 200 to 400 ft are common on the 

uplands away from major valleys such as the Platte. 

Surficial information.-The character of surface sediments as shown on the Quaternary sediments map was 

derived from geologic and soil maps ranging in scale from 

1:190,080 to 1:1,000,000. Extensive interpretation was 

required, especially for the soil maps, because map units 

rarely were compatible with the map units used on the 

Quaternary sediments map. The reliability of the map data 

is considered to be moderate. 

Thickness information. -Sediment thickness was 

compiled from. thickness maps and from thicknesses computed by comparison of bedrock-surface and land-surface 

topographic maps. Reliability of the map data is considered 

to be moderate. 

Subsurface information.-Although the character and 

geometry of the subsurface glacial deposits are not well 

known, the general location of till buried by stratified 

deposits along the western margin of glaciation is shown 

diagrammatically. The location of thick loess (more than 20 

ft) and the inferred lithology of the underlying deposits also 

are shown. 

Surficial, Stack-Unit, and Thickness Information 

References for surficial, stack-unit, and thickness 

mapping are combined into one list to avoid redundancy. 

Boellstorff, J.D., and Swinehart, J.B., 1981, Quaternary map of 

Nebraska: Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division, 

unpublished map prepared for the U.S. Geological Survey's 

Quaternary Geologic Atlas of the United States (Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-1420), scale 1:1,000,000. 

Burchett, R.R., Dreeszen, V.H., Reed, E. C., and Prichard, G.E., 

1972, Bedrock geologic map showing thickness of overlying 

Quaternary deposits, Lincoln quadrangle and part of 

Nebraska City quadrangle, Nebraska and Kansas: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 

1-729, scale 1:250,000. 

Burchett, R.R., Dreeszen, V.H., Souders, V.L., and Prichard, 

G.E., 1988, Bedrock geologic map showing configuration of 

the bedrock surface in the Nebraska part of the Sioux City 

]

0 X2° quadrangle: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map 1-1879, scale 1:250,000. 

Burchett, R.R., Reed, E.C., Dreeszen, V.H., and Prichard, G.E., 

1975, Bedrock geologic map showing thickness of overlying 

Quaternary deposits, Fremont quadrangle and part of Omaha 

quadrangle, Nebraska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-905, scale 1:250,000. 

Dreeszen, V.H., 1970, The stratigraphic framework of Pleistocene glacial and periglacial deposits in the central plains, in 

Dort, Wakefield, Jr., and Jones, J .K., Jr., eds., Pleistocene 

and Recent environments of the central Great Plains: Kansas 

University Department of Geology, Special Publication 3, p. 

9-22, scale 1:1,500,000. 

Flint, R.F. (committee chairman), 1959, Glacial map of the 

United States east of the Rocky Mountains: New York, 

Geological Society of America, scale l: l, 750,000. 

Kerl, D.E., 1982, Soil survey of Butler County, Nebraska: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 198 p., 

scale 1:190,080. 

Nebraska 35 
Kollmorgen, H.L., 1963, Isopachous map and study on thickness 

of Peorian loess in Nebraska: Soil Science Society of America Proceedings, v. 27, p. 445-448. 

Kollmorgen, H.L., and Reed, E.C., 1981, Distribution and 

thickness of Peoria Loess (Wisconsinan) in Nebraska: Lincoln, Neb., Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division, 

unpublished map, scale 1:1,000,000. 

Quandt, L.A., James, Melvin, and Good, Kenneth, 1974, Soil 

survey of Seward County, Nebraska: Washington, D.C., 

U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 85 p., scale 1:190,080. 

Schultz, C.B., and Smith, H.T.U., eds., 1965, Central Great 

Plains: International Association for Quaternary Research, 

7th Congress, INQUA field conference D, Guidebook, 

128 p. 

U.S. Soil Conservation Service and Nebraska Conservation and 

Survey Division, 1980, General soil map of Fremont areaNebraska: Lincoln, Neb., University of Nebraska, scale 

1:250,000. 

--1980, General soil map of Lincoln area-Nebraska: Lincoln, Neb., University of Nebraska, scale 1:250,000. 

--1980, General soil map of Sioux City area-Nebraska: 

Lincoln, Neb., University of Nebraska, scale 1:250,000. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-Surface sediments in New Hampshire are dominantly sandy till. Large 

areas of coarse-grained stratified deposits occur in the 

Merrimack and Connecticut River valleys and major tributaries and in coastal New Hampshire. Fine-grained stratified 

deposits also are extensive in coastal New Hampshire and in 

the Connecticut River valley. On the uplands, where till is 

the dominant surficial deposit, sediment thicknesses generally do not exceed 50 ft, and, in areas of high relief 

including the White Mountains, the till cover is patchy and 

bedrock exposures are numerous. Thick sediments are 

confined to the river valleys, where stratified sediments 

may reach lOO ft or more in thickness. 

Surficial information.-The Quaternary sediments 

map was compiled from 20 surficial geologic and soil maps, 

mostly at scales of 1:62,500 or larger. The surficial geologic map coverage is quite limited, and extensive interpretation of all available data was required. The reliability of 

the map data is considered to be moderately low. 

Thickness information. -Sediment thickness and bedrock topography have not been mapped in New Hampshire, 

and so the Quaternary sediments map was compiled from 

well data only. The well data are concentrated in the more 

populous southern third of the State; throughout the State, 

well-data coverage permitted only a generalized interpretation of the thickness distribution. Overall, the reliability of 

map data therefore is considered to be low. 

Subsurface information.-The character and geometry of glacial deposits in the subsurface are not well known 

in New Hampshire. For the Quaternary sediments map, this 

lack of data was relatively insignificant because of the 

thinness of the glacial sediment throughout the State. In a 

few areas of stratified sediment, the character of buried 

units is shown diagrammatically. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Bradley, E,, 1964, Geology and ground-water resources of southeastern New Hampshire: U.S. Geological Survey WaterSupply Paper 1695, 80 p., scale approx. 1:62,000. 

Castle, R.O., 1958, Surficial geology of the Lawrence quadrangle, Massachusetts-New Hampshire: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ--107, scale 1:31,680. 

Denny, C.S., 1958, Surficial geology of the Canaan area, New 

Hampshire: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1061-C, p. 

73-101, scale 1:62,500. 

Diers, R.W., Vieira, F.J., Douglas, W.W., Winkelaar, P.W., and 

Eagleston, D., 1977, Soil survey of Carroll County, New 

Hampshire: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 161 p., scale 1:24,000. 

Goldthwait, J.W., 1950, Surficial geology of New Hampshire: 

Concord, N.H., New Hampshire State Planning and Development Commission, scale 1:250,000. 

Goldthwait, Lawrence, 1953, Clays of southeastern New Hampshire, a preliminary report: New Hampshire State Planning 

and Development Commission, Mineral Resource Survey, 

pt. 15, p. 1-13. scale approx. 1:130,000. 

Goldthwait, R.P., 1968, Surficial geology of the WolfeboroWinnipesaukee area, New Hampshire: Durham, N.H., New 

Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, 54 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Kelsey, T.L., Vieira, F.J., Winkley, H.E., and Vander Voet, D., 

1968, Soil survey of Belknap County, New Hampshire: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 68 p., 

scale 1:15,840. 

Koteff, Carl, 1970, Surficial geologic map of the Milford quadrangle, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-881 , scale 

1:62,500. 

--1976, Surficial geologic map of the Nashua North quadrangle, Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties, New Hampshire: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ--1290, scale 1:24,000. 

Koteff, Carl, and Volckmann, R.P., 1973, Surficial geologic map 

of the Pepperell quadrangle, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and Hillsborough County, New Hampshire: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ--1118, scale 

1:24,000. 

Latimer, W.J., Layton, M.H., Lyford, W.H., Coates, W.H., and 

Scripture, P.N., 1935, Soil survey of Grafton County, New 

Hampshire: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 79 p. , scale 1 :62,500. 

Mooney, C.N., Westover, H.L., and Bennett, F., 1908, Soil 

survey of Merrimack County, New Hampshire: Washington, 

D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 39 p., scale 1:63,360. 

Newton, R.M., 1974, Surficial geology of the Ossipee Lake 

quadrangle, New Hampshire: Durham, N.H., New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, 

47 p., scale 1:62,500. 

36 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Shearin, A.E., Williams, B.H., Gladwin, F.J., Howard, M., and 

Coates, W.H., 1940, Soil survey of Strafford County, New 

Hampshire: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 141 p., scale 1:31,680. 

Simmons, C.S., Latimer, W.J., Layton, M.H., Coates, W.H., 

Lyford, W.H., and Scripture, P.N., 1937, Soil survey of 

Cheshire and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 82 p., scale 

1:62,500. 

Simmons, C.S., Lyford, W.H., and Feuer, R., 1940, Soil survey 

of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire: Washington, 

D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 114 p., scale 

1:63,360. 

Vander Voet, D., Shearin, A.E., Bailey, H., Carter, W.J., and 

others, 1959, Soil survey of Rockingham County, New 

Hampshire: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 78 p., scale 1:20,000. 

Williams, B.H., Coates, W.H., and Scripture, P.N.,.l937, Soil 

survey of Coos County, New Hampshire: Washington, D.C., 

U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 99 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Winkley, H.E., Vander Voet, D., Vieira, F.J., Hutchinson, E.F., 

and others, 1965, Soil survey of Merrimack County, New 

Hampshire: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 94 p., scale 1:20,000. 

Thickness Information 

Antevs, E., 1922, The recession of the last ice sheet in New 

England: American Geographic Society Research Series no. 

11, 120 p. 

Bradley, Edward, and Petersen, R.G., 1962, Southeastern area: 

U.S. Geological Survey New Hampshire Basic-Data Report 

no. 1, Ground-Water Series, 53 p. 

Cotton, J.E., 1974-77, Ground water availability maps for the 

nine river basins of New Hampshire: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water Resources Investigations Reports 39-74, 22-75, 

47-75, 53-75, 76--18, 76--39, 77-69, 77-70, 77-79, scale 

1:125,000. 

Goldthwait, J. W., ca. 1944, unpublished records of well data for 

New Hampshire: Durham, N.H., Office of the New Hampshire State Geologist. 

Goldthwait, R.P., 1949, Artesian wells in New Hampshire: New 

Hampshire State Planning and Development Commission, 

Mineral Resource Survey, pt. 11, 24 p. 

Hitchcock, C.H., and Upham, W., 1878, The geology of New 

Hampshire, part III. Surface geology: Durham, N.H., New 

Hampshire Geological Survey, 340 p. 

Koteff, Carl, 1976, Surficial geologic map of the Nashua North 

quadrangle, Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties, New 

Hampshire: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-1290, scale 1:24,000. 

Weigle, J.M., and Kranes, Richard, 1966, Lower Merrimack 

River valley: U.S. Geological Survey New Hampshire BasicData Report no. 2 (open file), 44 p. 

Whitcomb, H.A., 1973, Hydrologic data of the Ashuelot River 

basin, New Hampshire: U.S. Geological Survey New Hampshire Hydrologic-Data Report no. 3 (open file), 25 p. 

NEW JERSEY 

Overview of Quaternary deposits. -Surface sediments in New Jersey are dominantly sandy till. Coarsegrained stratified deposits are confined to river valleys, and 

fine-grained stratified deposits occur in glacial lake basins 

in northeastern New Jersey. Sediment thickness is generally 

less than 50 ft on the uplands. In the highlands of northcentral New Jersey, the till cover is patchy and bedrock 

exposures are numerous. Thicker sediments, generally 50 to 

100 ft, are confined to buried valleys and beneath the end 

moraine of the last glaciation. Beyond the end moraine, the 

older glacial sediment is patchy and in places is colluviated. 

Surficial information.-The Quaternary sediments 

map was compiled from seven publications, two unpublished maps, and several written communications. Much of 

the data was taken from high-quality USGS geologic 

mapping circa 1900. Substantial revision was necessary to 

adapt data to the classification scheme of the Quaternary 

sediments map. The reliability of the map data is considered 

to be moderately high. 

Thickness information.-Thickness data for the New 

Jersey part of the Quaternary sediments map were compiled 

directly from an unpublished map (Harper, 1986), scale 

1:250,000. The reliability of the map data is considered to 

be moderately high. 

Subsurface information.-The character and geometry of glacial deposits in the subsurface are not well known 

in New Jersey. In places, the lithology of units underlying 

the thin peat deposits was inferred. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Bayley, W.S., Salisbury, R.D., and Kiimmel, H.B., .·1914, 

Description of the Raritan quadrangle [New Jersey]: U.S. 

Geological Survey Geologic Atlas, Folio 191, scale 

1:125,000. 

Darton, N.H., Bayley, W.S., Salisbury, R.D., and Kiimmel, 

H.B., 1908, Description of the Passaic quadrangle [New 

Jersey-New York]: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Atlas, 

Folio 157, scale 1:125,000. 

Harper, D.P., 1982, Late Wisconsinan glacial geology, New 

Jersey: Trenton, N.J., New Jersey Geological Survey, 

unpublished map, scale 1:250,000. 

---1986, Thickness of unconsolidated deposits in northern 

New Jersey: Trenton, N.J., New Jersey Geological Survey, 

unpublished map, scale 1:250,000. 

Merrill, F.J.H., Darton, N.H., Hollick, Arthur, Salisbury, R.D., 

and others, 1902, Description of the New York City district 

[New York-New Jersey]: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Atlas, Folio 83, scale 1:62,500. 

Owens, J.P., and Minard, J.P., 1975, Geologic map of the 

surficial deposits in the Trenton area, New Jersey and 

Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-884, scale 1:48,000. 

Parker, G.G., Hely, A.G., Keighton, W.B., Olmsted, F.H., and 

others, 1964, Water resources of the Delaware River basin: 

New Jersey 37 
U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 381, 200 p., scale 

1:500,000. 

Salisbury, R.D., Ki.immel, H.B., Peet, C.E., and Knapp, G.N., 

1902, The glacial geology of New Jersey: Trenton, N.J., 

New Jersey Geological Survey, Final Report of the State 

Geologist, v. 5, 802 p., scale 1:316,800. 

Spencer, A.C., Ki.immel, H.B., Wolff, J.E., Salisbury, R.D., and 

Palache, Charles, 1908, Description of the Franklin Furnace 

quadrangle [New Jersey]: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Atlas, Folio 161, scale 1:62,500. 

Thickness Information 

Harper, D.P., 1986, Thickness of unconsolidated deposits in 

northern New Jersey: Trenton, N.J., New Jersey Geological 

Survey, unpublished map, scale 1:250,000. 

NEW YORK 

Overview of Quaternary deposits. -Surface sediments in New York are dominantly silty till, except in the 

Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, where the till is more 

sandy. Large areas of stratified deposits, mostly coarse 

grained, occur in major valleys throughout the State and on 

Long Island. Fine-grained stratified deposits are extensive 

in the Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario lowlands and in 

the Hudson River valley. On the uplands, sediment thicknesses are generally less than 50 ft; in mountainous areas, 

the till is patchy and bedrock exposures are common. Thick 

sediment is confined to Long Island and to river valleys. In 

the river valleys of upstate New York and for all of Long 

Island, thicknesses of stratified deposits are commonly 50 

to 400ft and in some valleys are as much as 600ft. Here, 

upstate New York refers to all areas of the State except Long 

Island. 

Surficial information.-A surficial geologic map of 

the State did not exist, and so more than 60 publications 

were used to compile data on the surface sediments for the 

Quaternary sediments map. These publications were of 

many types, from county soil surveys of the early 20th 

century to modem, detailed geologic maps. To adapt these 

different types of maps to the uniform classification system 

of the Quaternary sediments map, extensive interpretation 

of all available data was required. Overall, the reliability of 

the map data is considered to be moderate for upstate New 

York and high for Long Island. 

Thickness information. -Sediment thickness distribution is poorly known for upstate New York, whereas, for 

Long Island, the density of data allows a good estimate of 

thickness. For upstate New York, data from 31 publications 

were used to estimate thicknesses. In general, these data 

were well logs, and coverage for the State was overall quite 

low. For Long Island, topographic maps of the top of the 

underlying Coastal Plain surface contained in 14 publications were used to compile sediment thicknesses. For 

upstate New York, the reliability of the map data is 

considered to be low; for Long Island, it is moderately high. 

Subsurface information.-In upstate New York, the 

nature of the subsurface deposits is not well known, and the 

Quaternary sediments map shows buried units in only a few 

areas. On Long Island, however, well control is good, and 

major buried units are shown diagrammatically. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Upstate New York 

Austin, M.E., Carlisle, F.J., McCracken, R.J., Dushek, L., and 

others, 1958, Soil survey of Franklin County, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 75 p., 

scale 1:20,000. 

Austin, M.E., Lounsbury, C., Pearson, C.S., Benson, W.E., and 

others, 1953, Soil survey of Tioga County, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 133 p., 

scale 1:31,680. 

Brigham, A.P., 1929, Glacial geology and geographic conditions 

of the lower Mohawk Valley: New York State Museum 

Bulletin 280, 133 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Carlisle, F.J., Austin, M.E., McCracken, R.J., Dushek, L., and 

others, 1958, Soil survey of Franklin County, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 75 p., 

scale approx. 1:125,000. 

Carr, M.E., Gilbert, B.D., Morrison, T.M., and Maxon, E.T., 

1911, Soil survey of Jefferson County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 83 p., scale 

1:62,500. 

Carr, M.E., Lee, 0., Jr., Maynadier, G.B., Hallock, D.J., and 

Frost, V.J., 1910, Soil survey of Ontario County, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 55 p., 

scale 1:62,500. 

Connally, G.G., 1973, Surficial geology of the Glens Falls region, 

New York: New York State Museum and Science Service 

Map and Chart Series no. 23, scale 1:48,000. 

Crabb, G.A., and Morrison, T.M., 1912, Soil survey of Orange 

County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 56 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Davis, L.B., Landry, R.J., Krawiecki, V.J., Work, R., and 

others, 1978, Soil survey of Montgomery and Schenectady 

Counties, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 167 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Denny, C.S., 1974, Pleistocene geology of the northeast Adirondack region, New York: U.S. Geological Survey Professional 

Paper 786, 50 p., scale 1:250,000. 

Denny, C.S., and Lyford, W.H., 1963, Surficial geology and 

soils of the Elmira-Williamsport region, New York and 

Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 

379,60 p., scale 1:250,000. 

Dineen, R.J., and Hanson, E.L., 1983, Bedrock topography and 

glacial deposits of the Colonie Channel between Saratoga 

Lake and Coeymans, New York: New York State Museum 

and Science Service Map and Chart Series no. 37, 24 p., 

scale 1:48,000. 

38 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Feuer, R., Garman, W.L., and Cline, M., 1955, Soils of Essex 

County, New York, 1955: Cornell University, Cooperative 

Extension Service, Soil Association Leaflet no. 4, 6 p., scale 

approx. 1:150,000. 

Flach, K., Gile, L., and Feuer, R., 1957, Greene County soils: 

Cornell University, Cooperative Extension Service, Soil 

Association Leaflet no. 7, 6 p., scale approx. 1:103,000. 

Hanna, W.E., Giddings, E.B., Rice, C.E., Laux, B.R., and 

Witty, J.E., 1981, Soil survey of Madison County, New 

York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 

238 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Howe, F.B., Buckman, H.O., and Lewis, H.G., 1920, Soil 

survey of Tompkins County, New York: Washington, D.C., 

U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 56 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Hutton, F.Z., Jr., and Rice, C.E., 1977, Soil survey of Onondaga 

County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 235 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Kantrowitz, I. H., and Snavely, D.S., 1982, Availability of water 

from aquifers in upstate New York: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 82-437, scale 1:750,000. 

Knox, E.G., Garman, W.L., and Cline, M.G., 1954, Orange 

County soils: Cornell University, Cooperative Extension 

Service, Soil Association Leaflet no. 2, 6 p., scale approx. 

1:110,000. 

La Fleur, R.G., 1965, Glacial geology of the Troy, N.Y., 

quadrangle: New York State Museum and Science Service 

Map and Chart Series no. 7, 22 p., scale 1:31,680. 

Latimer, W.J., Diebold, C.H., Secor, W., Mead, C.P., and 

Howard, M., Jr., 1937, Soil survey of Rensselaer County, 

New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 70 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Latimer, W.J., Howard, M., Jr., Gibbs, G., Huff, W., and 

Pearson, C. S., 1938, Soil survey of Onondaga County, New 

York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 78 

p., scale 1:62,500. 

Lewis, H.G., Brookins, E.F., Gillett, R.L., Howe, F.B., and 

Kinsman, D.F., 1922, Soil survey of Cayuga County, New 

York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 60 

p., scale 1:62,500. 

Lewis, H.G., Brookins, E.F., Howe, F.B., and Kinsman, D.F., 

1923, Soil survey of Herkimer County area, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 48 p., 

scale 1:62,500. 

Lewis, H.G., and Kinsman, D.F., 1923, Soil survey of Columbia 

County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 43 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Lounsbury, C., Beers, P.O., Howe, F.B., Waite, E.E., Pearson, 

C.S., and Diebold, C.H., 1930, Soil survey of Delaware 

County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 31 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Lounsbury, C., Hasty, A.H., Kinsman, D.F., and Baran, J.H., 

1932, Soil survey of Broome County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 40 p., scale 

1:62,500. 

Lounsbury, C., Lewis, H.G., Howe, F.B., andDiadato, S., 1925, 

Soil survey of St. Lawrence County, New York: Washington, 

D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 44 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Lounsbury, C., Wildermuth, R., Benson, W.E., and Kinsman, 

D.F., 1942, Soil survey of Albany and Schenectady Counties, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation 

Service, 79 p., scale 1:62,500. 

MacCiintock, P., and Stewart, D.P., 1965, Pleistocene geology of 

the St. Lawrence Lowland: New York State Museum and 

Science Service Bulletin 394, 152 p., scale 1:125,000. 

Maine, C.H., 1968, General soils report, Warren County: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service and Warren 

County Soil and Water Conservation District, 24 p., scale 

approx. 1:155,000. 

Maxon, E.T., 1916, Soil survey of Yates County, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 36 p., 

scale I :62,500. 

Maxon, E.T., and Bromley, J.H., 1917, Soil survey of Saratoga 

County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 42 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Maxon, E.T., Carr, M.E., and Stevens, E.H., 1913, Soil survey 

of Oneida County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, 59 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Maxon, E.T., and Cone, W.R., 1914, Soil survey of Clinton 

County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 37 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Maxon, E.T., and Fuller, G.L., 1915, Soil survey of Schoharie 

County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 34 p., scale 1:62,500. 

---1916, Soil survey of Cortland County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 28 p., scale 

1:62,500. 

Maxon, E.T., and Seltzer, W., 1918, Soil survey of Chenango 

County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 37 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Merrill, F.J.H., Darton, N.H., Hollick, Arthur, Salisbury, R.D., 

and others, 1902, Description of the New York City district: 

[New York-New Jersey] U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Atlas, Folio 83, scale 1:62,500. 

Muller, E.H., 1977, Quaternary geology of New York, Niagara 

sheet: New York State Museum and Science Service Map 28, 

scale 1:250,000. 

---1984, advance draft of mapping in central New York State: 

Syracuse University, scale 1:250,000. 

Oswego County Planning Board, 1981, Glacial geology of 

Oswego County, New York: New York State Office of 

Planning Services, scale 1:63,360; compiled from 1:24,000-

scale USGS Open-File maps, 1979-1980, by T.S. Miller, 

E.H. Muller, and others. 

Parker, G.G., Hely, A.G., Keighton, W.B., Olmsted, F.H., and 

others, 1964, Water resources of the Delaware River basin: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 381, 200 p., scale 

1:500,000. 

Pearson, C.S., Child, R.B., Kennedy, W.E., Huff, W., and 

Lawrence, C.B., 1942, Soil survey of Seneca County, New 

York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 68 

p., scale I :62,500. 

Pearson, C.S., Cline, M.G., Sherrell, A., Grossman, R., and 

others, 1960, Soil survey of Lewis County, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 107 p., 

scale 1:125,000. 

Pearson, C.S., Cline, M.G., Tedrow, N.P., Lounsbury, C., and 

others, 1956, Soil survey of Allegany County, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 141 p., 

scale 1:31,680. 

New York 39 
Pearson, C.S., Howe, F.B., Kinsman, D.F., Wildermuth, R., 

Roberts, R.C., and Hasty, A.H., 1931, Soil survey of 

Steuben County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, 62 p., scale I :62,500. 

Pearson, C.S., Johnsgard, G.A., Secor, W., Kerr, H.A., and 

others, 1956, Soil survey of Livingston County, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 120 p., 

scale 1:31,680. 

Pearson, C.S., Reitz, W.W., Mack, J., Ellsworth, W., and 

Schwartz, J., 1932, Soil survey of Chemung County, New 

York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 42 

p., scale 1:62,500. 

Puglia, P.S., Bauter, P.R., Broad, W.A., Parsons, R.A., Wulforst, J.P., and Pearson, C.S., 1979, Soil survey of Schuyler 

County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 192 p., scale 1:190,080 and 1:15,840. 

Rich, J.L., 1935, Glacial geology of the Catskills: New York State 

Museum Bulletin 299, 180 p., scale 1:125,000. 

Secor, W., Kinsman, D.P., Benson, W.E., Lawrence, C.B., 

DeGolyer, W., and Lounsbury, C., 1946, Soil survey of 

Sullivan County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, 99 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Secor, W., Koehler, L.F., Kinsman, D.F., Benson, W.E., and 

others, 1955, Soil survey of Dutchess County, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 178 p., 

scales 1:400,000 and 1:31,680. 

Sweet, A.T., and Secor, W., 1940, Soil survey of Ulster County, 

New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 52 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Tharp, W.E., Lounsbury, C., Reitz, W.W., Diebold, C.H., 

Bauer, A.J., and Kinsman, D.F., 1940, Soil survey of 

Otsego County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, 64 p., scale 1:62,500. 

VanDuyne, C., and Bromley, J.H., 1919, Soil survey of the 

White Plains area, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, 44 p., scale 1:62,500. 

VanDuyne, C., Kirk, N.M., Seltzer, W., Gum, J.P., and Erde, 

H.W., 1919, Soil survey of Wayne County, New York: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 76 p., 

scale 1:62,500. 

Waller, R.M., 1976, Surficial geologic map of the Black River 

basin, New York: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Field Studies Map MF-728-A, scale 1:125,000. 

Winkley, H.E., Laux, B:R., Maine, C.H., Olsson, K.S., Phillips, 

J.A., and Scanu, R.J., 1975, Soil survey of Washington 

County, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 149 p., scale 1:63,360. 

Woodrow, D.L., Blackburn, T.R., and Monahan, E.C., 1969, 

Geological, chemical, and physical attributes of sediments in 

Seneca Lake, New York, in Proceedings, 12th Conference on 

Great Lakes Research: Ann Arbor, Mich., International 

Association for Great Lakes Research, p. 380-396. 

long Island 

De Laguna, Wallace, 1963, Geology of Brookhaven National 

Laboratory and vicinity, Suffolk County, New York: U.S. 

Geological Survey Bulletin 1156-A, 35 p. 

Doriski, T.P., and Wilde-Katz, Franceska, 1983, Geology of the 

"20-foot" clay and Gardiners Clay in southern Nassau and 

southwestern Suffolk Counties, Long Island, New York: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 82-4056, 17 p., Scale approx. 1:95,000. 

Fuller, M.L., 1914, The geology of Long Island, New York: U.S. 

Geological Survey Professional Paper 82, 231 p., scale 

1:125,000. 

Kilburn, Chabot, 1979, Hydrogeology of the Town of North 

Hempstead, Nassau County, Long Island, New York: Long 

Island Water Resources Bulletin 12, 87 p., scale approx. 

1:107,000. 

Kilburn, Chabot, and Krulikas, R.K., 1987, Hydrogeology and 

ground-water quality of the northern part of the Town of 

Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York, in 1980: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 

85-4051, 61 p. 

Krulikas, R.K., and Koszalka, E.J., 1983, Geologic reconnaissance of an extensive clay unit in north-central Suffolk 

County, Long Island, New York: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 82-4075, 9 p., scale 

approx. 1:280,000. 

Lubke, E.R., 1964, Hydrogeology of the Huntington-Smithtown 

area, Suffolk County, New York: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 1669-D, 68 p. 

Nemickas, Bronius, and Koszalka, E.J., 1982, Geohydrologic 

appraisal of water resources of the South Fork, Long Island, 

New York: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 

2073, 55 p., scale 1:125,000. 

Smolensky, D.A., Buxton, H.T., and Shernoff, P.K., in press, 

Hydrogeologic framework of Long Island, New York: U.S. 

Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-709, 

scale 1:125,000. 

Soren, Julian, 1971, Ground-water and geohydrologic conditions 

in Queens County, Long Island, New York: U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 2001-A, 39 p. 

---1978, Hydrogeologic conditions in the Town of Shelter 

Island, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 

77-77, 22 p. 

Soren, Julian, and Stelz, W.G., 1984, Aldicarb pesticide contamination of ground water in eastern Suffolk County, Long 

Island, New York: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 84--4251, 34 p. 

Thickness Information 

Upstate New York 

Arnow, T., 1949, The ground-water resources of Albany County, 

New York: New York Water Power and Control Commission 

Bulletin GW-20, 56 p. 

---1951, The ground-water resources of Columbia County, 

New York: New York Water Power and Control Commission 

Bulletin GW-25, 48 p., scale approx. 1:130,000. 

---1951, The ground-water resources of Fulton County, New 

York: New York Water Power and Control Commission 

Bulletin GW-24, 48 p. 

40 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Asselstine, E.S., 1946, Progress report on ground-water conditions in the Cortland quadrangle, New York: New York 

Water Power and Control Commission Bulletin GW-16, 

49 p. 

Berdan, J.M., 1950, The ground-water resources of Schoharie 

County, New York: New York Water Power and Control 

Commission Bulletin GW-22, 61 p. 

Berkey, C.P., and Rice, M., 1919, Geology of the West Point 

quadrangle: New York State Museum Bulletin 225 and 226, 

152 p. 

Calkin, P.E., Hodge, D.S., Champion, D.E., Oaksford, E.T., 

and Palmer, E.C., 1974, Gravity delineation of the preglacial 

Cazenovia River valley, western New York State, U.S.A.: 

Zeitschrift fiir Geomorphologie Neue Folge [Annals of Geomorphology], v. 18, no. 3, p. 247-259. 

Crain, L.J., 1974, Ground-water resources of the western Oswego 

River basin, New York: New York Department of Environmental Conservation B!l-Sin Planning Report ORB-5, 137 p. 

Cushman, R. V., 1950, The ground-water resources of Rensselaer 

County, New York: New York Water Power and Control 

Commission Bulletin GW-21, 56 p. 

Daniels, R.B., and Owens, D.W., 1975, Glacial lake sediments in 

West Branch Cazenovia and Eighteenmile Creek valleys near 

Colden, New York: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, unpublished report, 11 p. 

Denny, C.S., and Lyford, W.H., 1963, Surficial geology and 

soils of the Elmira-Williamsport region, New York and 

Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 

379, 60 p. 

Dineen, R.J., and Hanson, E.L., 1983, Bedrock topography and 

glacial deposits of the Colonie Channel between Saratoga 

Lake and Coeymans, New York: New York State Museum 

and Science Service Map and Chart Series no. 37, 24 p., 

scale 1:48,000. 

Flint, J.J. , and Lolcarna, J. , 1985, Buried ancestral drainage 

between Lakes Erie and Ontario: Geological Society of 

America Bulletin 97, p. 75-84. 

Fluhr, T.W., 1962, New York bay-Bedrock profile: Geological 

Society of America Bulletin 73, p. 261-262. 

Frimpter, M.H.,1972, Ground-water resources of Orange and 

Ulster Counties, New York: U.S. Geological Survey WaterSupply Paper 1985, 80 p., scale 1:125,000. 

---1974, Ground-water resources, Allegheny River basin and 

part of the Lake Erie basin, New York: New York Department of Environmental Conservation Basin Planning Report 

ARB-2, 98 p. 

Gilbert, B.K., and Kammerer, J.C., 1969, Analysis and interpretation of water resources data of the Genessee River basin, 

New York and Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report, 363 p. 

Grossman, I.G., and Yarger, L.B., 1953, Water resources of the 

Rochester area, New York: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 

246, 30 p., scale 1:140,000. 

Kantrowitz, I.H., 1970, Ground-water resources in the eastern 

Oswego River basin, New York: New York Department of 

Environmental Conservation Basin Planning Report ORB-,2, 

129 p. 

LaSala, A.M., Jr., 1968, Ground-water resources of the ErieNiagara basin, New York: New York Department of Environmental Conservation Basin Planning Report ENB-3, 

114 p. 

MacCiintock, P., and Apfel, E.T., 1944, Correlation of the drifts 

of the Salamanca re-entrant, New York: Geological Society 

of America Bulletin, v. 55, p. 1143-1164. 

MacNish, R.D., and Randall, A.D., 1982, Stratified-drift aquifers 

in the Susquehanna River basin, New York: New York 

Department of Environmental Conservation Bulletin 75, 

68 p. 

Mozola, A.J., 1951, The ground-water resources of Seneca 

County, New York: New York Water Power and Control 

Commission Bulletin GW-26, 57 p., scale approx. 

1:128,000. 

Newman, W.S., Thurber, D.H., Zeiss, H.S., Rokach, A., and 

Musich, L., 1969, Late Quaternary geology of the Hudson 

River estuary: a preliminary report: New York Academy of 

Science Transactions, v. 31, no. 5, p. 548-570. 

Perlmutter, N.M., 1959, Geology and ground-'l'l(ater resources of 

Rockland County, New York: New York Water Power and 

Control Commission Bulletin GW-42, 133 p. 

Perlmutter, N.M., and Arnow, T., 1953, Ground water in Bronx, 

New York, and Richmond Counties with summary data on 

Kings and Queens Counties, New York City, New York: 

New York Water Power and Control Commission Bulletin 

GW-32, 86 p., scale approx. 1:97,000. 

Simpson, E.S., 1949, Buried preglacial groundwater channels in 

the Albany-Schenectady area in New York: Economic Geology, v. 44, no. 8, p. 713-720, scale approx. 1:200,000. 

Waller, R.M., and Ayer, G.R., 1975, Water resources of the 

Black River basin, New York: New York Department of 

Environmental Conservation Basin Planning Report BRB-1, 

205 p. 

Waller, R.M., and Finch, A.J., 1982, Atlas of eleven selected 

aquifers in New York: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 82-553, 255 p. 

Woodrow, D.L., Blackburn, T.R., and Monahan, E.C., 1969, 

Geological, chemical, and physical attributes of sediments in 

Seneca Lake, New York, in Proceedings, 12th Conference on 

Great Lakes Research: Ann Arbor, Mich., International 

Association for Great Lakes Research, p. 380-396. 

Worzel, J.L., and Drake, C.L., 1959, Structure section across the 

Hudson River at Nyack, New York, from seismic observations: New York Academy of Science Annals, v. 80, art. 4, 

p. 1092-1105. 

Long Island, Staten Island, and Adjacent Waters 

Buxton, H.T., Soren, J., Posner, A., and Shernoff, P.K., 1981, 

Reconnaissance of the ground-water resources of Kings and 

Queens Counties, New York: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report 81-1186, 59 p., scale approx. 1:210,000. 

Doriski, T.P., and Wilde-Katz, Franceska, 1983, Geology of the 

"20-foot" clay and Gardiners clay in southern Nassau and 

southwestern Suffolk Counties, Long Island, New York: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 82-4056, l7 p., scale approx. 1:95,000. 

New York 41 
Isbister, J., 1966, Geology and hydrology of northeastern Nassau 

County, Long Island, New York: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 1825, 89 p., scale 1:48,000 and 

1:170,000. 

Jensen, H.M., and Soren, J., 1974, Hydrogeology of Suffolk 

County, Long Island, New York: U.S. Geological Survey 

Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-501, scale 1:250,000. 

Kilburn, Chabot, 1979, Hydrogeology of the Town of North 

Hempstead, Nassau County, Long Island, New York: Long 

Island Water Resources Bulletin 12, 87 p., scale approx. 

1:107,000. 

Kilburn, Chabot, and Krulikas, R.K., 1987, Hydrogeology and 

groundwater quality of the northern part of the Town of 

Oyster Bay, Nassau County, Long Island, in I980: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 

85-4051, 6I p. 

Krulikas, R.K., and Koszalka, E.J., 1983, Geologic reconnaissance of an extensive clay unit in north-central Suffolk 

County, Long Island, New York: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 82-4075, 9 p., scale 

approx. 1:280,000. 

Krulikas, R.K., Koszalka, E.J., and Doriski, T.P., 1983, Altitude 

of the top of the Matawan Group-Magothy Formation, 

Suffolk County, Long Island, New York: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 83-137, scale I: 125,000. 

Lewis, R.S., and Needell, S.W., 1987, Maps showing the 

stratigraphic framework and Quaternary geologic history of 

eastern Long Island Sound: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1939-A, 7 p., 3 sheets, scale 

I:125,000. 

Love green, J .R., I974, Paleodrainage of the Hudson estuary: New 

York, Columbia University, M.S. thesis, lSI p., scale 

1:24,000. 

Needell, S.W., and Lewis, R.S., 1984, Geology and structure of 

Block Island Sound, Rhode Island and New York: U.S. 

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 

MF-1621, 4 sheets, scale 1:125,000. 

Perlmutter, N.M., and Geraghty, J.J., 1963, Geology and groundwater conditions in southern Nassau and southeastern Queens 

Counties, Long Island, New York: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Supply Paper I613-A, 205 p., scale 1:200,000. 

Smolensky, D.A., Buxton, H.T., and Shernoff, P.K., in press, 

Hydrogeologic framework of Long Island, New York: U.S. 

Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-709, 

scale 1:125,000. 

Swarzenski, W.V., I963, Hydrogeology of northwestern Nassau 

and northeastern Queens Counties, Long Island, New York: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper I657, 90 p., 

scale I :48,000. 

Additional References 

Chapman, D.H., I937, Late-glacial and postglacial history of the 

Champlain valley: American Journal of Science, 5th ser., v. 

34, no. 200, p. 89-124. (Limit of late Wisconsinan marine 

invasion) 

Fairchild, H.L., 1907, Drumlins of central western New York: 

New York State Museum Bulletin Ill, p. 391-443. (Drumlins) (Elsewhere in the State, particularly southeast of the 

Catskills and east of the Hudson River, drumlins are known 

to be numerous in places but are unmapped.) 

Fisher, D.W., Isachsen, Y.W., and Rickard, L.V., 1970, Geologic map of New York, Hudson-Mohawk sheet: New York 

State Museum and Science Service Map and Chart Series no. 

15, scale 1:250,000. (Till texture) 

--1970, Geologic map of New York, Lower Mohawk sheet: 

New York State Museum and Science Service Map and Chart 

Series no. IS, scale 1:250,000. (Till texture) 

Isachsen, Y.W., and Fisher, D.W., 1970, Geologic map of New 

York, Adirondack sheet: New York State Museum and 

Science Service Map and Chart Series no. 15, scale 

1:250,000. (Till texture) 

Rickard, L.V., and Fisher, D.W., 1970, Geologic map of New 

York, Finger Lakes sheet: New York State Museum and 

Science Service Map and Chart Series no. 15, scale 

1:250,000. (Till texture) 

Geologic map of New York, Niagara sheet: New 

York State Museum and Science Service Map and Chart 

Series no. 15, scale 1:250,000. \Till texture) 

NORTH DAKOTA 

Overview of Quaternary deposits. -Surface sediments in North Dakota are dominantly till. In the western 

half of the State, the till is sandy; to the east, the till is more 

clayey. Large areas of stratified deposits are associated with 

the end moraine in south-central North Dakota, where 

coarse-grained sediments dominate, and in glacial lake 

basins, where both coarse- and fine-grained sediments are 

found. Along the eastern border of the State, fine-grained 

stratified sediment dominates in the glacial Lake Agassiz 

basin. In the north-central region, both coarse- and finegrained sediments occur in the glacial Lake Souris basin. 

Sediment thickness is commonly greater than 50 ft, except 

along a large north-south ridge in east-central North Dakota 

and near the glacial margin. An extensive network of buried 

valleys occurs in central North Dakota, where sediment 

thicknesses may exceed 400 ft in places. In the Lake 

Agassiz basin, between 200 and 400 ft of sediment is 

common. 

Surficial information.-Statewide surficial geologic 

maps were available (Bluemle, 1977; Clayton, 1980) at 

scales of 1:1,000,000 and 1:500,000, respectively. These 

maps were used to compile the Quaternary sediments map 

and were supplemented with more than 10 detailed maps of 

specific areas to improve the interpretations, since not all 

geologic units on the statewide maps could be properly 

interpreted by the classification scheme of the Quaternary 

sediments map. Overall, the reliability of the map data is 

considered to be moderately high. 

Thickness information.-A preliminary statewide 

map of sediment thickness (Bluemle, 1971), scale 

1:500,000, served as the basis for compilation of thickness 

data for the Quaternary sediments map. Because the state42 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
wide map was generalized and eight more recent maps of 

smaller areas were available, extensive reinterpretation of 

the map was required. The reliability of the map data is 

considered to be moderate. 

Subsurface information. -Some county geologic 

reports contain generalized subsurface data in cross sections. These data were used to show diagrammatically the 

probable extent of certain major buried units such as 

extensive aquifers. 

Surficial and Stack~Unit Information 

Armstrong, C.A., 1982, Ground-water resources of Ransom and 

Sargent Counties, North Dakota: North Dakota Geological 

Survey Bulletin 69, pt. 3, 51 p. 

Arndt, B.M., 1975, Geology of Cavalier and Pembina Counties: 

North Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 62, pt. I, 68 p., 

scale 1:250,000. 

Baker, C.H., Jr., I967, Geology and ground water resources of 

Richland County: North Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 

46, pt. l, 45 p., scale 1:125,000. 

Bluemle, J.P., 1967, Geology and ground water resources of 

Traill County: North Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 49, 

pt. l, 34 p., scale I:l25,000. 

--1973, Geology of Nelson and Walsh Counties, North 

Dakota: North Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 57, pt. 1 , 

70 p., scale 1:125,000. 

--1975, Geology of Griggs and Steele Counties: North 

Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 64, pt. 1, 50 p. 

*--I977, Geologic highway map of North Dakota: North 

Dakota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map I9, scale 

1:1,000,000. 

--1979, Geology of Dickey and LaMoure Counties: North 

Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 70, pt. 1, 72 p. 

--1979, Geology of Ransom and Sargent Counties, North 

Dakota: North Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 69, pt. 1, 

84 p., scale 1:125,000. 

*Clayton, Lee, 1980, Geologic map of North Dakota: Reston, 

Va., U.S. Geological Survey, scale 1:500,000. 

Clayton, Lee, Moran, S.R., and Bluemle, J.P., 1980, Explanatory 

text to accompany the geologic map of North Dakota: North 

Dakota Geological Survey Report of Investigation 69, 93 p. 

Colton, R.B., Lemke, R.W., and Lindvall, R.M., 1963, Preliminary glacial map of North Dakota: U.S. Geological Survey 

Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Series Map I-331, 

scale 1:500,000. 

Hansen, D.E., and Kume, Jack, 1970, Geology and ground water 

resources of Grand Forks County: North Dakota Geological 

Survey Bulletin 53, pt. 1, 76 p., scale 1: I25,000. 

Klausing, R.L., 1968, Geology and ground water resources of 

Cass County, North Dakota: North Dakota Geological Survey 

Bulletin 47, pt. I, 39 p., scale 1:125,000. 

Larsen, W.M., Omodt, Hollis, Evanson, Eldon, Kerl, Donald, 

and Dunnigan, Lorn, 1964, Soil survey of Sargent County, 

North Dakota: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation 

Service, 97 p., scale 1:I90,080. 

Leverett, Frank, 1932, Quaternary geology of Minnesota and parts 

of adjacent states: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 

161, 149 p., scale I:62,500. 

Thickness Information 

Arndt, B.M., 1975, Geology of Cavalier and Pembina Counties: 

North Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 62, pt. 1, 68 p., 

scale 1:250,000. 

*Bluemle, J.P., 1971, Depth to bedrock in North Dakota, a 

preliminary map: North Dakota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map 13, scale 1:500,000. 

--1979, Geology of Dickey and LaMoure Counties: North 

Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 70, pt. l, 72 p., scale 

approx. 1:700,000. 

--1979, Geology of Ransom and Sargent Counties, North 

Dakota: North Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 69, pt. 1, 

84 p., scale 1:500,000. 

--1981, Geology of Sheridan County, North Dakota: North 

Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 75, pt. l, 59 p., scale 

1:500,000. 

--1982, Geology of McHenry County, North Dakota: North 

Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 74, pt. 1, 49 p., scale 

1:250,000. 

--1984, Geology of Emmons County, North Dakota: North 

Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 66, pt. 1, 69 p., scale 

I:250,000. 

--1984, Geology of Towner County, North Dakota: North 

Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 79, pt. 1, 44 p., scale 

1:500,000. 

Carlson, C.G., and Freers, T.F., 1975, Geology of Benson and 

Pierce Counties, North Dakota: North Dakota Geological 

Survey Bulletin 59, pt. I, 32 p., scale 1:125,000. 

Additional Reference 

Bluemle, J.P., 1982, Bedrock geologic map of North Dakota: 

North Dakota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map 21, 

scale 1:1,000,000. (Till texture) 

OHIO 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.- Surface sediments are dominantly clayey till in the lowlands south and 

west of Lake Erie in northern Ohio, whereas till is silty to 

the south of the lake lowlands. Large areas of stratified 

deposits, generally coarse grained, are confined to the 

valleys of large rivers such as the Great Miami and Scioto. 

Fine-grained stratified deposits in places overlie till on the 

lake lowlands and in ice-gouged valleys in northeastern 

Ohio. Sediment thickness on uplands is generally less than 

50 ft except over the extensive network of preglacial and 

interglacial buried valleys in central Ohio, where sediment 

thicknesses in places exceed 400 ft. In the stratified deposits 

in valleys, sediment is commonly more than 100ft thick. In 

the ice-gouged valley beneath the lower Cuyahoga River, 

thicknesses exceed 600 ft. 

Ohio 43 
Surficial information.-Although a statewide surficial map (Goldthwait and others, 1961), scale 1:500,000, 

served as the basic data source, several other maps and 

written communications were also used. The statewide map 

emphasized glacial ages and ice advances, whereas the 

Quaternary sediments map emphasizes sediment character; 

the difference between the two mapping schemes was so 

great that extensive reinterpretation and incorporation of 

other, more detailed mapping was necessary. The reliability 

of the map data is considered to be moderate. 

Thickness information. -Sediment thickness was 

compiled from maps of bedrock-surface topography, sediment thickness, and land-surface topography and from well 

data. Seventy-nine publications were used to compile an 

interim publication (Soller, 1986), which was then used to 

compile the Quaternary sediments map. The reliability of 

map data is considered to be moderately high. 

Subsurface information.-The character and geometry of glacial deposits in the subsurface are not well known 

in Ohio. In places where detailed study has shown the 

presence of extensive and thick buried units, they were 

shown diagrammatically. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Burger, A.M., Forsyth, J.L., Nicoll, R.S., and Wayne, W.J., 

1971, Geologic map of the 1°X2° Muncie quadrangle, 

Indiana and Ohio, showing bedrock and unconsolidated 

deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Regional Geologic Map 

no. 5, scale 1:250,000. 

Goldthwait, R.P., 1985, Glacial map of Ohio: written communication (unpublished map), scale 1:250,000. 

Goldthwait, R.P., White, G.W., and Forsyth, J.L., 1961, Glacial 

map of Ohio: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Series Map I-316, scale 1:500,000. 

Gray, H.H., Forsyth, J.L., Schneider, A.F., and Gooding, A.M., 

1972, Geologic map of the 1°X2° Cincinnati quadrangle, 

Indiana and Ohio, showing bedrock and unconsolidated 

deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Regional Geologic Map 

no. 7, scale 1:250,000. 

Johnson, G.H., and Keller, S.J., 1972, Geologic map of the 

]

0 X2° Fort Wayne quadrangle, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, 

showing bedrock and unconsolidated deposits: Indiana Geological Survey Regional Geologic Map no. 8, scale 

1:250,000. 

Lerch, N.K., Hale, W.F., and Lemaster, D.D., 1982, Soil survey 

of Hamilton County, Ohio: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, 219 p. 

White, G.W., 1982, Glacial geology of northeastern Ohio: Ohio 

Geological Survey Bulletin 68, 75 p., scale 1:250,000. 

Thickness Information 

Soller, D.R., 1986, Preliminary map showing the thickness of 

glacial deposits in Ohio: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1862, scale 1:500,000. (Compiled from 79 publications.) 

PENNSYLVANIA 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.- Surface sediments are dominantly silty till in northwestern Pennsylvania 

and sandy till in northeastern Pennsylvania. In northeastern 

Pennsylvania, large areas of stratified deposits, mostly 

coarse grained, are confined to large river valleys. In 

northwestern Pennsylvania, fine-grained stratified deposits 

occur in deep, preglacial or interglacial buried valleys. 

Sediment thickness on the uplands is generally less than 50 

ft, and, in much of northeastern Pennsylvania, the till cover 

is patchy and bedrock exposures are numerous, especially 

near the glacial margin. In the valleys of northeastern 

Pennsylvania, sediment thicknesses commonly are low, 

seldom exceeding 100 ft. In northwestern Pennsylvania, 

sediment thicknesses in the valleys are commonly 100 to 

400ft. 

Surficial information. -Surficial mapping in northwestern Pennsylvania by Shepps and others (1959), scale 

1:125,000, served as the basis for the Quaternary sediments 

map without extensive reinterpretation. In contrast, an 

adequate surficial map did not exist for northeastern Pennsylvania; nearly 50 publications ranging from detailed 

geologic maps to reconnaissance soil maps were used to 

compile the Quaternary sediments map. For northwestern 

Pennsylvania, the reliability of the map data is considered to 

be moderate, whereas data reliability for northeastern Pennsylvania is considered to be moderately low. 

Thickness information.-For northwestern Pennsylvania, sediment thickness was compiled from local 

sediment-thickness maps, bedrock-surface topographic 

maps, well data, and general geologic descriptions contained in 13 publications. For northeastern Pennsylvania, 

thickness data were sparse. The nearly 50 publications used 

for the surficial mapping, as well as additional sources 

including a computerized well inventory, were used to 

compile a generalized map of sediment thickness. The 

reliability of map data in northwestern Pennsylvania is 

considered to be moderately low, and, in northeastern 

Pennsylvania, it is considered to be low. 

Subsurface information.-The character and geometry of glacial deposits in the subsurface are not well known 

in Pennsylvania. In only one area, along the shore of Lake 

Erie, is the nature of the subsurface deposits shown. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Northeastern Pennsylvania 

Alvord, D.C., and Drake, A.A., Jr., 1971, Geologic map of the 

Bushkill quadrangle, Pennsylvania-New Jersey: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ--908, scale 

1:24,000. 

Bacon, S.R., Taylor, D., Boileau, A., and Yoder, G., 1946, Soil 

survey of Union County, Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C., 

U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 115 p., scale 1:48,000. 

44 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Berg, T.M., 1975, Geology and mineral resources of the Brodheadsville quadrangle, Monroe and Carbon Counties, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey 

Atlas 205a, 60 p., scale 1:24,000. 

Berg, T.M., and Sevon, W.O., in press, Geology and mineral 

resources of Pike County: Pennsylvania Topographic and 

Geologic Survey Bulletin C52. (Advance draft of map, at 

scale 1:50,000, obtained for this compilation.) 

Berg, T.M., Sevon, W.O., and Bucek, M.F., 1977, Geology and 

mineral resources of the Pocono Pines and Mount Pocono 

quadrangles, Monroe County, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania 

Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 204cd, 66 p., scale 

1:24,000. 

Bucek, M.F., 1971, Surficial geology of the East Stroudsburg 

7112-minute quadrangle, Monroe County, Pennsylvania: 

Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 214c, 

40 p., scale I :24,000. 

Bush, R.D., Braker, W.L:, Hallowich, J.S., Martin, G.W., and 

others, 1981, Soil survey of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 106 p., 

scale 1:253,440 and 1:20,000. 

Carter, W.T., Jr., and Kerr, J.A., 1912, Soil survey of Lehigh 

County, Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 53 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Crowl, G.H., 1971, Pleistocene geology and unconsolidated 

deposits of the Delaware valley, Matamoras to Shawnee on 

Delaware, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and 

Geologic Survey General Geological Report 60, 40 p., scale 

1:24,000. 

---1984, Pre-Woodfordia~ .drifts of eastern Pennsylvania: 

written communication (unpublished map), scale 1:250,000. 

Crowl, G.H., and Sevon, W.O., 1980, Glacial border deposits of 

Late Wisconsinan age in northeastern Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey General Geological 

Report 71, 68 p., scale 1:100,000. 

Davis, R.E., Drake, A.A., Jr., and Epstein, J.B., 1967, Geologic 

map of the Bangor quadrangle, Pennsylvania-New Jersey: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-665, 

scale I :24,000. 

Denny, C.S., 1956, Surficial geology and geomorphology of 

Potter County, Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 288, 72 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Denny, C.S., and Lyford, W.H., 1963, Surficial geology and 

soils of the Elmira-Williamsport region, New York and 

Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 

379, 60 p., scale 1:250,000. 

Drake, A.A., Jr., 1967, Geologic map of the Easton quadrangle, 

New Jersey-Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-594, scale 1:24,000. 

Eckenrode, J.J., Holzer, D.B., Sautter, E.H., and Browning, 

S.A., 1982, Soil survey of Lackawanna and Wyoming 

Counties, Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 166 p., scale 1:253,440. 

Epstein, J.B., 1969, Surficial geology of the Stroudsburg quadrangle, Pennsylvania-New Jersey: Pennsylvania Topographic 

and Geologic Survey General Geological Report 57, 67 p., 

scale I :24,000. 

Epstein, J.B., Sevon, W.O., and Glaeser, J.D., 1974, Geology 

and mineral resources of the Lehighton and Palmerton quadrangles, Carbon and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania: 

Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 195cd, 

460 p., scale 1:24,000. 

Fail!, R.T., 1979, Geology and mineral resources of the Montoursville South and Muncy quadrangles and part of the 

Hughesville quadrangle, Lycoming, Northumberland, and 

Montour Counties, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic 

and Geologic Survey Atlas 144ab, 114 p., scale 1:24,000. 

Faill, R.T., Wells, R.B., and Sevon, W.O., 1977, Geology and 

mineral resources of the Linden and Williamsport quadrangles, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 134ab, scale 1:24,000. 

---1977, Geology and mineral resources of the Salladasburg 

and Cogan Station quadrangles, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 

133cd, scale 1:24,000. 

Fisher, G., Mattern, R., McCombs, R., Norgren, J., and Rebert, 

A., 1962, Soil survey of Carbon County, Pennsylvania: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 108 p., 

scale 1:188, 179 and I :20,000. 

Goodman, K.V., Tedrow, J.C.F., Stem, R.W., and Yearick, 

L.G., 1958, Soil survey of Potter County, Pennsylvania: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 101 p., 

scale 1:20,000. 

Hendrickson, B.H., Avon Burke, R.T., Goodman, K.V., and 

Smith, R.L., 1929, Soil survey of Tioga County, Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 

47 p., scale 1:62,500. 

---1929, Soil survey of Wyoming County, Pennsylvania: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 36 p., 

scale 1:62,500. 

Hollowell, J.R., 1971, Hydrology of the Pleistocene sediments in 

the Wyoming valley, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water Resource 

Report 28, 77 p., scale 1:24,000. 

Inners, J.D., 1978, Geology and mineral resources of the Berwick 

quadrangle, Luzerne and Columbia Counties, Pennsylvania: 

Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 174c, 

34 p., scale 1:24,000. 

---1981, Geology and mineral resources of the Bloomsburg 

and Mifflinville quadrangles and part of the Catawissa 

quadrangle, Columbia County, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania 

Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 164cd, 152 p., scale 

1:24,000. 

Lockwood, W.N., and Meisler, Harold, 1960, Illinoian outwash 

in southeastern Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1121-B, 9 p. 

Lohman, S.W., 1939, Ground water in north-central Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water 

Resource Report 6, 219 p., scale 1:380,160. 

Miller, B.L., Fraser, D.M., Miller, R.L., Willard, B., and 

Wherry, E.T., 1941, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, geology 

and geography: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic 

Survey Bulletin C39, 492 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Owens, J.P., and Minard, J.P., 1975, Geologic map of the 

surficial deposits in the Trenton area, New Jersey and 

Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-884, scale 1:48,000. 

Pennsylvania 45 
Parker, G.G., Hely, A.G., Keighton, W.B., Olmsted, F.H., and 

others, 1964, Water resources of the Delaware River basin: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 381,200 p., scale 

1:500,000. 

Parrish, P.H., Tinsley, W.M., Zimmerman, R.P., Craver, R.K., 

Cruikshank, R., and Byrne, W.R., 1967, Soil survey of 

Columbia County, Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C., U.S. 

Soil Conservation Service, 139 p., scale 1:190,080 and 

1:20,000. 

Reber, E.J., Billings, P.G., and Pease, D.S., 1973, Soil survey of 

Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C., 

U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 89 p., scale 1:190,080 and 

1:20,000. 

Sevon, W.D., 1975, Geology and mineral resources of the 

Christmans and Pohopoco Mountain quadrangles, Carbon 

and Monroe Counties, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 195ab, scale I :24,000. 

---1975, Geology and mineral resources of the Hickory Run 

and Blakeslee quadrangles, Carbon and Monroe Counties, 

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 194cd, scale 1:24,000. 

---1975, Geology and mineral resources of the Tobyhanna 

and Buck Hill Palls quadrangles, Monroe County, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 

204ab, scale 1:24,000. 

Sevon, W.D., and Berg, T.M., 1978, Geology and mineral 

resources of the Skytop quadrangle, Monroe and Pike Counties, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic 

Survey Atlas 214a, 33 p., scale 1:24,000. 

Shaw, C.F., McKee, J.M., and Ross, W.G., 1911, A reconnaissance soil survey of northeastern Pennsylvania: Washington, 

D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 63 p., scale approx. 

1:250,000. 

---1912, A reconnaissance soil survey of southeastern Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 94 p., scale approx. 1:250,000. 

Simmons, C.S., Atkinson, C.H., and Brown, L.A., 1938, Soil 

survey of Wayne County, Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C., 

U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 31 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Staley, L.R., Tompkins, E.A., Bushong, T.J., and Huxson, H.J., 

1974, Soil survey of Northampton County, Pennsylvania: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 120 p., 

scale 1:190,080 and 1:15,840. 

Stevens, E.H., Hendrickson, B.H., Manifold, C.B., Degen, 

C.G., and Patrick, A.L., 1923, Soil survey of Lycoming 

County, Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 51 p. 

Taylor, D., Bacon, S.R., and Yearick, L.G., 1955, Soil survey of 

Montour and Northumberland Counties, Pennsylvania: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 152 p., 

scale 1:24,000. 

Taylor, D.C., Billings, P., Fisher, G., and Trapp, G., 1969, Soil 

survey of Pike County, Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C .• 

U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 83 p., scale approx. 

1:250,000. 

Wells, R.B., and Bucek, M.F., 1980, Geology and mineral 

resources of the Montoursville North and Huntersville quadrangles, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania 

Topographic and Geologic Survey Atlas 143cd, 68 p., scale 

1:24,000. 

Willard, B., Freedman, J., McLaughlin, D.B., Ryan, J.D., and 

others, 1959, Geology and mineral resources of Bucks 

County, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Bulletin C9, 243 p., scale l :62,500. 

Wood, P.O., McKee, J.M., Skemp, L.M., Nissley, W.B., and 

Dickey, J.B.R., 1911, Soil survey of Bradford County, 

Pennsylvania: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation 

Service, 41 p., scale 1:63,360. 

Northwestern Pennsylvania 

Carswell, L.D., and Bennett, G.D., 1963, Geology and hydrology 

of the Neshannock quadrangle, Mercer and Lawrence Counties, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic 

Survey Water Resource Report 15, 90 p., scale 1:24,000. 

Legette, R.M., 1936, Ground water in northwestern Pennsylvania: 

Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water 

Resource Report 3, 215 p. 

McCoy, H.J., 1985, U.S. Geological Survey, written communication of information later released as part of: 

Richards, D.B., McCoy, H.J., and Gallaher, J.P., 1987, 

Groundwater resources of Erie County, Pennsylvania: 

Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey 

Water Resource Report 62, 101 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Muller, E.H., 1977, Quaternary geology of New York, Niagara 

Sheet: New York State Museum and Science Service Map 28, 

scale 1:250,000. 

Poth, C.W., 1963, Geology and hydrology of the Mercer quadrangle, Mercer, Lawrence, and Butler Counties, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water 

Resource Report 16, 149 p., scale 1:48,000. 

---1973, Summary, Ground-water resources of Butler 

County, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water Resource Report 36, 49 p., scale 

1:125,000. 

Preston, F.W., 1950, Introduction to Glacial Lake Arthur: Lake 

deposits and physiographic features, in Field Conference of 

Pennsylvania Geologists, 16th Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, 

Pa., May 26-28: Harrisburg, Pa., Pennsylvania Topographic 

and Geologic Survey, p. 12-36. 

Schiner, G.R., and Gallaher, J.T., 1979, Geology and groundwater resources of western Crawford County, Pennsylvania: 

Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water 

Resource Report 46, 103 p., scale 1:50,000. 

Schiner, G.R., and Kimmel, G.E., 1976, Geology and groundwater resources of northern Mercer County, Pennsylvania: 

Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water 

Resource Report 33, 136 p., scale 1:24,000. 

Schooler, E.E., 1974, Pleistocene beach ridges of northwestern 

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey General Geological Report 64, 38 p., scale 1:62,500. 

*Shepps, V.C., White, G.W., Droste, J.B., and Sitler, R.F., 

1959, Glacial geology of northwestern Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey General Geolog· 

ical Report 32, 59 p., scale 1:125,000. 

VanTuyl, D.W., and Klein, N.H., 1951, Ground-water resources 

of Beaver County, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic 

and Geologic Survey Water Resource Report 9, 84 p., scale 

1:63,360. 

46 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
White, G.W., Totten, S.M., and Gross, D.L., 1969, Pleistocene 

stratigraphy of northwestern Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania 

Topographic and Geologic Survey General Geological Report 

55, 88 ·p. 

Thickness Information 

Northeastern Pennsylvania 

In addition to the following references, some of the 

references listed in the section on surficial and stack-unit 

information for northeastern Pennsylvania were used to map 

sediment thickness. 

Carswell, L.D., and Lloyd, O.B., Jr., 1979, Geology and 

groundwater resources of Monroe County, Pennsylvania: 

Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water 

Resource Report 47, 61 p., scale 1:48,000. 

Lloyd, O.B., Jr., and Carswell, L.D., 1981, Groundwater 

resources of the Williamsport region, Lycoming County, 

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water Resource Report 51, 69 p., scale 1:100,000. 

Taylor, L.E., 1984, Groundwater resources of the upper Susquehanna River basin, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic 

and Geologic Survey Water Resource Report 58, 136 p., 

scale 1:250,000. 

Taylor, L.E., Werkheiser, W.H., and Kriz, M.L., 1983, Groundwater resources of the West Branch Susquehanna River 

basin, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water Resource Report 56, 143 p., scale 

1:250,000. 

U.S. Geological Survey, 1984, WATSTORE data base, computer 

file of well data. 

Williams, J.H., and Eckhardt, D.A., 1987, Groundwater 

resources of the Berwick-Bloomsburg-Danville area, eastcentral Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey Water Resource Report 61, 76 p., scale 

1:50,000. 

Northwestern Pennsylvania 

See references for northwestern Pennsylvania under 

"Surficial and Stack-Unit Information." 

Additional References 

Berg, T.M., chief compiler, 1980, Geologic map of Pennsylvania: 

Harrisburg, Pa., Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic 

Survey, scale 1:250,000. (Till texture) 

White, G.W., 1982, Glacial geology of northeastern Ohio: Ohio 

Geological Survey Bulletin 68, 75 p., scale 1:250,000. (Till 

texture) 

RHODE ISLAND 

Overview of Quaternary deposits. -Surface sediments in Rhode Island are dominantly sandy till. Large 

areas of coarse-grained stratified sediment occur in valleys 

and adjacent to Narragansett Bay. Sediment thicknesses 

seldom exceed 50ft, and, in many places, the till cover is 

patchy and bedrock exposures are numerous. 

Surficial information.- A statewide compilation 

(Lang and others, 1960), scale 1 : 150,000, was used to 

compile the Quaternary sediments map; 13 detailed geologic maps were used to refine the mapping in certain areas. 

The reliability of the map data is considered to be moderately high. 

Thickness information.-The thickness information 

for the Quaternary sediments map was compiled from nine 

publications. The reliability of the map data is considered to 

be moderately high. 

Subsurface information.-Because of the small size 

of Rhode Island and the general lack of subsurface studies, 

buried units were not shown. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Feininger, T.G., 1962, Surficial geology of the Hope Valley 

quadrangle, Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-166, scale 1:24,000. 

Kaye, C.A., 1960, Surficial geology of the Kingston quadrangle, 

Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1071-I, p. 

341-396, scale 1:24,000. 

*Lang, S.M., Bierschenk, W.H., and Allen, W.B., 1960, 

Hydraulic characteristics of glacial outwash in Rhode Island: 

Rhode Island Water Resources Coordinating Board Hydrologic Bulletin 3, 38 p., scale approx. 1:150,000. 

Power, W.R., Jr., 1957, Surficial geology of the Slocum quadrangle, Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-106, scale 1:31,680. 

Richmond, G.M., 1953, Surficial geology of the Georgiaville 

quadrangle, Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-22, scale 1:31,680. 

Robinson, C.S., 1961, Surficial geology of the North Scituate 

quadrangle, Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-143, scale 1:24,000. 

Schafer, J.P., 1961, Surficial geology of the Narragansett Pier 

quadrangle, Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-140, scale 1:24,000. 

---1961, Surficial geology of the Wickford quadrangle, 

Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-136, scale 1:24,000. 

---1965, Surficial geologic map of the Watch Hill quadrangle, Rhode Island-Connecticut: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-410, scale 1:24,000. 

Shute, N.E., 1949, Surficial geology of the Pawtucket quadrangle, Rhode Island-Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-2, scale 1:31,680. 

Smith, H.J., 1955, Surficial geology of the Bristol quadrangle, 

Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-70, scale 1:31,680. 

---1955, Surficial geology of the East Greenwich quadrangle, 

Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-62, scale 1:31,680. 

Rhode Island 47 
--1956, Surficial geology of the Crompton quadrangle, 

Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-94, scale 1:31,680. 

--1956, Surficial geology of the Providence quadrangle, 

Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-84, scale 1:31,680. 

Thickness Information 

Allen, W.B., 1953, The ground-water resources of Rhode 

Island-A reconnaissance: Rhode Island Water Resources 

Coordinating Board Geological Bulletin 6, scale approx. 

1:125,000. (Till uplands) 

Bierschenk, W.H., 1956, Ground-water resources of the Kingston 

quadrangle, Rhode Island: Rhode Island Development Council Geological Bulletin 9, 60 p., scale 1:31,680. (Charleston 

moraine, which is dominantly till) 

Gonthier, J.B., Johnston, H.E., and Malmberg, G.T., 1974, 

Availability of ground water in the Lower Pawcatuck River 

basin, Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply 

Paper 2033, 40 p., scale 1:48,000. (Stratified drift) 

Hahn, G.W., 1959, Ground-water map of the Narragansett Pier 

quadrangle, Rhode Island: Rhode Island Water Resources 

Coordinating Board Ground water map 5, scale I :24,000. 

(Charleston moraine, which is dominantly till) 

Johnson, K.E., 1961, Ground-water map of the Watch Hill 

quadrangle, Rhode Island-Connecticut: Rhode Island Water 

Resources Coordinating Board Ground Water Map 14, scale 

1:24,000. (Charleston moraine, which is dominantly till) 

Lang, S.M., 1961, Appraisal of the ground water reservoir areas 

in Rhode Island: Rhode Island Water Resources Coordinating 

Board Geological Bulletin 11, 38 p., scale approx. 1:38,000. 

(Stratified drift) 

LaSala, A.M., Jr., and Hahn, G.W., 1960, Ground-water map of 

the Carolina quadrangle, Rhode Island: Rhode Island Water 

Resources Coordinating Board Ground Water Map 9, scale 

1:24,000. (Charleston moraine, which is dominantly till) 

LaSala, A.M., Jr., and Johnson, K.E., 1960, Ground-water map 

of the Quonochontaug quadrangle, Rhode Island: Rhode 

Island Water Resources Coordinating Board Ground Water 

Map 11, scale 1:24,000. (Charleston moraine, which is 

dominantly till) 

Tuttle, C.R., Allen, W.B., and Hahn, G.W., 1961, A seismic 

record of Mesozoic rocks on Block Island, Rhode Island: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 424-C, p. 

C254-C256. 

SOUTH DAKOTA 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-Surface sediments in South Dakota are dominantly clayey till in the 

lowlands, whereas more silty till occurs near the margins of 

the glaciated area. Coarse-grained stratified deposits are 

distributed in patches on the uplands known as the Prairie 

Coteau in eastern South Dakota and in river valleys elsewhere. Fine-grained stratified deposits occur in the basin of 

glacial Lake Dakota, west of the Prairie Coteau. Sediment 

thicknesses vary greatly, from 400 to 800 ft beneath the 

Prairie Coteau to less than 50 ft in the Lake Dakota 

lowlands to the west. South and west of the lake basin, 

sediment thicknesses are commonly 100 ft or more, and 

they exceed 400 ft over some buried valleys. Along the 

glacial limit adjacent to the Missouri River, the sediment 

cover is patchy, and weathered rock commonly is exposed. 

Swficial information.-A statewide surficial map 

(Bretz, 1984), scale 1:500,000, was used to compile the 

Quaternary sediments map and was supplemented by nine 

other publications and written communications in order to 

refine the map data and adapt the map units to the 

classification system. The reliability of the map data is 

considered to be moderate. 

Thickness information. -Sediment thickness was 

compiled from nine references containing bedrock-surface 

topographic and sediment-thickness maps and well data. 

The reliability of the map data is considered to be moderate. 

Subsurface information.-The character and geometry of glacial deposits in the subsurface are not well known 

in South Dakota, and only a limited amount of subsurface 

information, based on extrapolation of data from North 

Dakota, was shown. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Baker, C.L., and Carlson, C.A., Jr., 1952, Areal geology of the 

Akaska quadrangle: Vermillion, S.D., South Dakota Geological Survey quadrangle map, scale 1:62,500. 

*Bretz, R.F., 1984, Quaternary map of eastern South Dakota: 

Vermillion, S.D., South Dakota Geological Survey unpublished map, scale 1:500,000. 

Aint, R.F., 1955, Pleistocene geology of eastern South Dakota: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 262, 173 p., scale 

1:500,000. 

Hedges, L.S., 1972, Geology and water resources of Campbell 

County, South Dakota: South Dakota Geological Survey 

Bulletin 20, pt. 1, 39 p., scale 1:125,000. 

--1975, Geology and water resources of Charles Mix and 

Douglas Counties, South Dakota: South Dakota Geological 

Survey Bulletin 22, pt. 1, 43 p., scale 1:125,000. 

Hutton, J.G., 1935, Reconnaissance soil map of South Dakota: 

Vermillion, S.D., South Dakota Agricultural Experiment 

Station, scale 1:500,000. 

Jarrett, M.J., 1986, Sand and gravel resources in Turner, Hutchinson, and Grant Counties, South Dakota: South Dakota 

Geological Survey unpublished data in preparation for Information Pamphlets. 

Leverett, Frank, 1932, Quaternary geology of Minnesota and parts 

of adjacent States: U.S. Geological Survey Professional 

Paper 161, 149 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Schultz, L.D., Ensz, E.H., Kost, M.M., Miller, K.F., and 

' Paschke, L. D., 197 5, Soil survey of Marshall County, South 

Dakota: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 

116 p., scale 1:190,080. 

48 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Watkins, W.I., and Larson, G.A., 1925, Soil survey of Brown 

County, South Dakota: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 32 p., scale 1:63,360. 

Thickness Information 

Christensen, C.M., and Stephens, J.C., 1967, Geology and 

hydrology of Clay County, South Dakota: South Dakota 

Geological Survey Bulletin 19, pt. 2, 62 p., scale 1:210,000. 

*Duchossois, G .E., 1985, Bedrock topography in north central 

South Dakota: Vermillion, S.D., South Dakota Geological 

Survey, unpublished map, scale 1:250,000. 

*Gilbertson, J.P., 1985, Thickness of Quaternary deposits, northeastern South Dakota: Vermillion, S.D. , South Dakota Geological Survey, unpublished map, scale 1:250,000. 

*Hedges, L.S., Burch, S.L., Iles, D.L., Barari, R.A., and 

Schoon, R.A., 1982, Evaluation of ground-water resources, 

eastern South Dakota and upper Big Sioux River, South 

Dakota and Iowa, tasks 1, 2, 3, and 4: South Dakota 

Geological Survey U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Contract 

DACW45-80-C-Ol85, scale 1:500,000. 

Howells, L.W., and Stephens, J.C., 1968, Geology and water 

resources of Beadle County, South Dakota: South Dakota 

Geological Survey Bulletin 18, pt. 2, 63 p., scale 1:350,000. 

Koch, N.C., 1969, Effects of reservoir filling on a buried aquifer 

of glacial origin in Campbell County, South Dakota: U.S. 

Geological Survey Professional Paper 650-B, p. B169-

B173. 

Kume, Jack, 1977, Geology and water resources of Charles Mix 

and Douglas Counties, South Dakota: South Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 22, pt. 2, 31 p., scale 1:300,000. 

Tomhave, D.W., 1985, Drift thickness data in Minnehaha 

County, South Dakota: Vermillion, S.D., South Dakota 

Geological Survey, unpublished data. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1948, Geologic sections of the 

Oahe dam site: Vermillion, S.D., South Dakota Geological 

Survey. 

VERMONT 

Overview of Quaternary deposits. -Surface sediments in Vermont are dominantly sandy till. Large areas of 

stratified deposits are confined to lowlands; these deposits 

are dominantly fine grained in the Champlain and Connecticut River valleys and coarse grained in other river valleys 

and in deltaic deposits bordering the Champlain lowlands. 

Sediment thickness in Vermont is generally less than 50 ft; 

in mountainous areas, the till cover is patchy and bedrock is 

exposed in many places. Thicker sediment is confined to· 

valleys, where as much as 100 ft of stratified sediment is 

preserved. 

Surficial information.-A statewide surficial map 

(Stewart and MacClintock, 1970), scale 1:250,000, was 

used to compile the Quaternary sediments map. A reconnaissance soil map was used to map areas of patchy till. The 

reliability of the map data is considered to be moderate. 

Thickness information.-Sediment thickness was 

compiled from hundreds of data points obtained from State 

well-log files and from well data and cross sections in 12 

publications. The reliability of the map data is considered to 

be low. 

Subsurface information.-Although the character and 

geometry of subsurface glacial deposits are not well known, 

the general nature of the subsurface deposits in the Connecticut River valley and beneath glacial deltas in the Lake 

Champlain valley is shown. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Latimer, W.J., Perkins, S.O., Lesh, F.R., Smith, L.R., and 

Goodman, K.V., 1930, Soil survey (reconnaissance) of 

Vermont: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 80 p. 

*Stewart, D.P., and MacClintock, P., 1970, Surficial geologic 

map of Vermont: Waterbury, Vt., Vermont Geological Survey, scale 1:250,000. 

Thickness Information 

Hodges, A.L., Jr., and Butterfield, D., 1966--68, Ground water 

favorability maps of the Missisquoi, Lake Memphremagog, 

Nulhegan-Passumpsic, Lamoille, Winooski, Otter Creek, 

White, Wells-Ompompanoosuc, Ottauquechee-Saxtons, Batten, Walloomsac, Hoosic, and West-Deerfield river basins, 

Vermont: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont Department of Water 

Resources, scale approx. I: 125,000. 

Hodges, A.L., Jr., Butterfield, D., and Ashley, J.W., 1976, 

Ground-water resources of the Barre-Montpelier area, Vermont: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont Department of Water 

Resources, scale 1:48,000. 

---1976, Ground-water resources of the White River Junction 

area, Vermont: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont Department of 

Water Resources, scale 1:48,000. 

Hodges, A.L., Jr., Willey, R.E., Ashley, J.W., and Butterfield, 

D., 1977, Ground-water resources of the Upper Winooski 

river basin, Vermont: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 77-120, 27 p., scale 

1:48,000. 

Stedman, G.D., Thiel, S.A., and Butterfield, D., 1980, Vermont 

ground water pollution source inventory, December, 1980: 

Montpelier, V t. , Vermont Department of Water Resources 

and Environmental Engineering, 138 p. 

Stewart, D.P., 1971, Geology for environmental planning in the 

Barre-Montpelier region, Vermont: Vermont Geological Survey Environmental Geology no. I, 32 p. 

---1972, Geology for environmental planning in the RutlandBrandon region, Vermont: Vermont Geological Survey Environmental Geology no. 2, 40 p. 

---1973, Geology for environmental planning in the 

Burlington-Middlebury region, Vermont: Vermont Geological Survey Environmental Geology no. 3, 44 p. 

Vermont 49 
---1974, Geology for environmental planning in the MiltonSt. Albans region, Vermont: Vermont Geological Survey 

Environmental Geology no. 5, 48 p~ 

---1975, Geology for environmental planning in the 

Brattleboro-Windsor region, Vermont: Vermont Geological 

Survey Environmental Geology no. 7, 46 p. 

*Vermont Department of Water Resources, Montpelier, Vt., 

unpublished file of well logs. 

Willey, R.E., and Butterfield, D., 1983, Ground-water resources 

of the Rutland area, Vermont: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 82-4057, scale 

1:48,000. 

Wright, F.M., 1974, Geology for environmental planning in the 

Johnson-Hardwick region, Vermont: Vermont Geological 

Survey Environmental Geology no. 4, 59 p. 

Additional References 

Chapman, D.H., 1937, Late-glacial and postglacial history of the 

Champlain valley: American Journal of Science, 5th ser., v. 

34, no. 200, p. 89-124. (Limit of late Wisconsinan marine 

invasion) 

Doll, C.G., Cady, W.M., Thompson, J.B., and Billings, M.P., 

1961, Geologic map of Vermont: Waterbury, Vt., Vermont 

Geological Survey, scale I :250,000. (Till texture) 

WISCONSIN 

Overview of Quaternary deposits. -Surface sediments in Wisconsin are dominantly sandy till, except near 

Lake Michigan, where tills are silty an.d clayey. Coarsegrained stratified deposits cover large areas of the uplands 

in northern and central Wisconsin, especially where glacial 

interlobate areas existed. Near the Great Lakes and near the 

nonglaciated area of southwestern Wisconsin, sediment 

thickness generally is less than 50 ft; in places, the till cover 

is patchy and bedrock exposures are numerous. In southeastern Wisconsin and on the uplands of northern and 

central Wisconsin, sediment thicknesses are greater, 

exceeding 100 ft in many places. 

Surficial information.-The distribution of surface 

sediments was compiled from 35 sources, whose scales 

ranged from 1:15,840 to 1:1,000,000; mapping emphasis 

ranged from statewide soil surveys to detailed surficial 

geologic maps. The reliability of the map data is considered 

to be moderately low. 

Thickness information.-The thickness information 

for the Quaternary sediments map was compiled mostly 

from a generalized statewide map by Trotta and Cotter 

(1973), scale 1:1,000,000. The reliability of the map data is 

considered to be moderately low. 

Subsurface information.-Although the character and 

geometry of subsurface glacial deposits are not well known, 

the character of buried sediments in the area inundated by 

glacial lakes near Green Bay and Lake Winnebago was 

shown, albeit diagrammatically, because these glacial lake 

sediments are thin and discontinuous. 

Surficial and Stack-Unit Information 

Alden, W.C., 1918, The Quaternary geology of southeastern 

Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 106, 

356 p., scale 1:250,000. 

Attig, J. W., 1985, Pleistocene geology of Vilas County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Information Circular 50, 32 p., scale 1:100,000. 

Barndt, W.D., Lorenz, H.E., Frings, S.W., Link, E.G., and 

others, 1978, Soil survey of Outagamie County, Wisconsin: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 129 p., 

scale 1:190,080 and 1:15,840. 

Bell, E.A., and Sherrill, M.G., 1974, Water availability in central 

Wisconsin-An area of near-surface crystalline rock: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2022, 32 p., scale 

1:125,000. 

Clayton, Lee, 1984, Pleistocene geology of the Superior region, 

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Information Circular 46, 40 p., scale 1:250,000. 

---1986, Pleistocene geology of Florence County, Wisconsin: 

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Information Circular 51, 13 p., scale 1:100,000. 

---1986, Pleistocene geology of Portage County, Wisconsin: 

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Information Circular 56, 19 p., scale 1:100,000. 

---1987, Pleistocene geology of Adams County, Wisconsin: 

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Information Circular 59, 14 p., scale 1:100,000. 

Engel, R.J., Gundlach, H.F., Schmude, K.O., Glocker, C.L., 

Weber, E. L., and Anderson, F. L., 197 4, Soil survey of Rock 

County, Wisconsin: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 160 p., scale 1:190,080 and 1:20,000. 

Engel, R.J., Roberts, B.A., Steingraeber, J.A., Barndt, W.D., 

and Moeller, H.T., 1978, Soil survey of Sheboygan County, 

Wisconsin: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 116 p., scale 1:190,080 and 1:15,840. 

Farrand, W.R., Mickelson, D.M., Cowan, W.R., and Goebel, 

J.E., 1984, Quaternary geologic map of the Lake Superior 

4°X6° quadrangle, United States and Canada, in Richmond, 

G.M., and Fullerton, D.S., eds., Quaternary geologic atlas 

of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map 1-1420 (NL-16), scale 

1:1,000,000. ' 

Geib, W.J., Taylor, A.E., and Conrey, Guy, 1913, Soil survey of 

Columbia County, Wisconsin: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil 

Conservation Service, 61 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Glocker, C.L., Ayen, J.E., Omemik, D.L., Steingraeber, J.A., 

Subs, S.C., and Watson, B.G., 1979, Soil survey of Jefferson County, Wisconsin: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 169 p., scale 1:190,080 and 1:15,840. 

Goebel, J.E., Mickelson, D.M., Farrand, W.R., Clayton, Lee, 

and others, 1983, Quaternary geologic map of the Minneapolis 4°X6° quadrangle, United States, in Richmond, G.M., 

and Fullerton, D.S., eds., Quaternary geologic atlas of the 

United States: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 1-1420 (NL-15), scale 1:1,000,000. 

50 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Gundlach, H.F., Roberts, D.C., Slota, R.W., and Widdel, K.H., 

1980, Soil survey of Sauk County, Wisconsin: Washington, 

D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 248 p., scale 

1:253,440 and 1:15,840. 

Hadley, D.W., 1976, Glacial deposits of Wisconsin: sand and 

gravel resource potential: Madison, Wis., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 19 p., scale 1:500,000. 

Hole, F.D., and others, 1968, Soils of Wisconsin: Madison, Wis., 

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, scale 

1:710,000. 

Hutchinson, R.D., 1970, Water resources of Racine and Kenosha 

Counties, southeastern Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 1878, 63 p., scale 1:125,000. 

Knox, J.C., Attig, J.W., and Johnson, M.D., 1982, PreWisconsinan deposits in the Bridgeport terrace of the lower 

Wisconsin River valley, in Quaternary history of the driftless 

area, 29th annual meeting, Midwest Friends of the Pleistocene: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey 

Field Trip Guidebook 5, p. 103-118. · 

Lineback, J.A., Bleuer, N.K., Mickelson, D.M., Farrand, W.R., 

and Goldthwait, R.P., 1983, Quaternary geologic map of the 

Chicago 4°X6° quadrangle, United States, in Richmond, 

G.M., and Fullerton, D.S., eds., Quaternary geologic atlas 

of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map 1-1420 (NK-16), scale 

1:1,000,000. 

Link, E.G., Elmer, S.L., Vanderveen, S.A., Barndt, W.D., and 

others, 1978, Soil survey of Door County, Wisconsin: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 132 p., 

scale 1:316,800 and 1:15,840. 

Link, E.G., Frings, S.W., Campbell, J.E., Kidney, K.A., Otter, 

A.J., and Suhr, M.C., 1980, Soil survey of Kewaunee 

County, Wisconsin: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 187 p., scale 1:190,080 and 1:15,840. 

Link, E.G., Higgins, Richard, Korth, I.L., and Patzer, R.A., 

1973, Soil survey of Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, ll5 p., 

scale 1:190,080 and 1:15,840. 

Link, E.G., Leonard, C.F., Lorenz, H.E., Barndt, W.D., and 

others, 1974, Soil survey of Brown County, Wisconsin: 

Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 119 p., 

scales 1:190,080 and 1:20,000. 

Mickelson, D. M. , 19~3, A guide to the glacial landscapes of Dane 

County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Field Trip Guidebook 6, 53 p., scale 1:100,000. 

---1985, unpublished data for southwestern Wisconsin, prepared for U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-1420 (Quaternary geologic atlas of the 

United States, Des Moines 1:1,000,000 quadrangle), I sheet. 

Mitchell, M.J., Babik, N.R., Denow, K.A., Nazke, L.L., and 

Roberts, B.A., 1980, Soil survey of Winnebago County, 

Wisconsin: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 182 p., scale 1:190,080 and 1:20,000. 

Need, E.A., 1985, Pleistocene geology of Brown County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey 

Information Circular 48, 19 p., scale 1 :200,000. 

Otter, A.J., Butman, B.S., Campbell, J.E., Kidney, K.A., and 

others, 1980, Soil survey of Calumet and Manitowoc Counties, Wisconsin: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation 

Service, 176 p., scale 1:253,440 and 1:15,840. 

Otter, A.J., Campbell, J.E., Frings, S.W., Simeth, F.J., Simonson, D.T., and Suhs, S.C., 1984, Soil survey of Waupaca 

County, Wisconsin: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 167 p., scale 1:253,440 and 1:15,840. 

Roberts, D.C., Campbell, J.E., and Kroll, T.L., 1988, Soil 

survey of Oconto County, Wisconsin: Marinette, Wis., U.S. 

Soil Conservation Service. Pre-publication map obtained for 

this compilation, at scale 1:316,800. 

Schmude, K.O., Demo, O.E., Fan~ing, D.S., Langton, J.E., 

Peck, T.R., and Lee, G.B., 1975, Soil survey of Marquette 

County, Wisconsin: Washington, D.C., U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 91 p., scale 1:190,080 and 1:20,000. 

Summers, W.K., 1965, Geology and ground-water resources of 

Waushara County, Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 1809-B, 32 p., scale 1:62,500. 

Thwaites, F.T., 1943, Pleistocene of pan of northeastern Wisconsin: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 54, p. 

87-144, scale 1:250,000. 

Thwaites, F.T., and Bertrand, Kenneth, 1957, Pleistocene geology of the Door Peninsula, Wisconsin: Geological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 68, p. 831-880, scale 1:250,000. 

Thickness Information 

Clayton, Lee, 1984, Pleistocene geology of the Superior region, 

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Information Circular 46, 40 p., scale 1:1,000,000. 

*Trotta, L.C., and Cotter, R.D., 1973, Depth to bedrock in 

Wisconsin: Madison, Wis., Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, scale 1: I ,000,000. 

GREAT LAKES 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-Surficial bottom 

sediments in the Great Lakes are dominantly fine-grained 

stratified glacial lake sediments and Holocene muds. In 

places, till or rock underlie the lake bottom, particularly in 

coastal areas. Sediment thicknesses vary greatly for the 

different lakes. In eastern Lake Superior, sediment thicknesses are generally less than 100 ft except over buried 

valleys or grooves gouged out by the ice. In the western part 

of the lake, sediments commonly exceed 200 ft in thickness, and, in the deepest parts of the basin, they exceed 800 

ft. In Lake Michigan, sediment thickness in the southern 

basin is generally less than 100 ft, whereas, in the central 

basin, thicknesses exceed 400 ft in places. No data are 

available for northern Lake Michigan. In Lake Huron, 

sediment thicknesses in the axis of the basin are commonly 

more than lOO ft and in places exceed 200 ft, whereas, 

elsewhere in the lake, the sediment is much thinner, 

generally less than 50 ft. In the westernmost part of Lake 

Erie, sediments are mostly less than 50ft thick. To the east, 

sediments thicken, and in the east-central part of the lake, 

sediments exceed 200 ft ;n thickness. Along the lake 

margins, however, sediment; thin to less than 50 ft. Unlike 

Lake Erie, Lake Ontario is only partly filled with sediment. 

Great Lakes 51 
Even along the axis of the basin, less than 100 ft of 

sediment is present. In Lake Champlain, sediments are 

generally thin except in a series of narrow ice-gouged 

channels in the central part of the lake. 

Surficial information.-The Quaternary sediments 

map was compiled from five publications, which show the 

bottom sediment distribution in a highly generalized fashion. The reliability of the map data is considered to be 

moderately low. 

Thickness information. -Sediment thickness was 

determined from several published and unpublished 

sources, containing data as varied as sediment thickness, 

bedrock-surface topography, and cross sections. The reliability of the map data is considered to be moderately low. 

Subsurface information.-No attempt was made to 

characterize buried units beneath the Great Lakes. 

Character of Lake-Bottom Sediments 

Dell, C.L, 1976, Sediment distribution and bottom topography of 

southeastern Lake Superior: Journal of Great Lakes Research, 

v. 2, no. 1, p. 164-176. 

Lineback, J.A., Gross, D.L., and Meyer, R.P., 1974, Glacial tills 

under Lake Michigan: Illinois State Geological Survey Environmental Geology Notes no. 69, 48 p., scale 1:1,750,000. 

*Thomas, R.L., 1981, Sediments of the North American Great 

Lakes: Internationale Vereinigung fi1r Theoretische und 

Angewandte Limnologie Verhandlungen [International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology Proceedings], 

v. 21, pt. 3, p. 1666-1680. 

Thomas, R.L., Kemp, A.L., and Lewis, C.F.M., 1972, Distribution, composition and characteristics of the surficial sediments of Lake Ontario: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 

42, p. 66-84. 

---1973, The surficial sediments of Lake Huron: Canadian 

Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 10, p. 226-271. 

Thickness of Quaternary Sediment Beneath the 

Great Lakes 

Carter, C.H., Williams, S.J., Fuller, J.A., and Meisburger, E.P., 

1982, Regional geology of the southern Lake Erie (Ohio) 

bottom: A seismic reflection and vibracore study: U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers, Coastal Engineering Research Center, 

Miscellaneous Report 82-15, 109 p. 

Dames and Moore, 1974, Airport feasibility study for the Lake 

Erie Regional Transportation Authority, and preliminary 

study, 1970: Sandusky, Ohio, Ohio Geological Survey. 

Hobson, G.D., Herdendorf, C.E., and Lewis, C.F.M., 1969, 

High resolution reflection seismic survey in western Lake 

Erie, in Proceedings of the 12th Conference on Great Lakes 

Research: Ann Arbor, Mich., International Association for 

Great Lakes Research, p. 210-224. 

Hunt, A. S., 1977, Sediment thicknesses, eastern Lake Champlain: 

Burlington, Vt., A completion report submitted to the Vermont Water Resources Research Center and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Research and Technology, 31 

p., scale 1:175,000. 

Lewis, C.F.M., 1986, Unpublished maps of Lake Huron bedrock 

topography [scale 1:400,000]; Bedrock contours and drift 

thickness contours, eastern Lake Erie [scale 1:400,000]; 

Total thickness of sediments, eastern Lake Erie (one-way 

travel time) [scale 1:200,000]; Thickness of sediments in 

Lake Ontario (one-way travel time) [scale 1:200,000]; Thickness of sediments in western Lake Ontario (one-way travel 

time) [scale approx. 1:72,000]: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 

Canada, Atlantic Geoscience Centre, Bedford Institute of 

Oceanography. 

Lineback, J.A., Gross, D.L., and Meyer, R.P., 1972, Geologic 

cross sections derived from seismic profiles and sediment 

cores from southern Lake Michigan: Illinois State Geological 

Survey Environmental Geology Notes no. 54, 43 p. 

Wall, R.E., 1968, A sub-bottom reflection survey in the central 

basin of Lake Erie: Geological Society of America Bulletin, 

v. 79, p. 91-106. 

Wickham, J.T., Gross, D.L., Lineback, J.A., and Thomas, R.L., 

1978, Late Quaternary sediments of Lake Michigan: Illinois 

State Geological Survey Environmental Geology Notes no. 

84, 26 p. 

Williams, S.J., and Meisburger, E.P., 1982, Geological character 

and mineral resources of south central Lake Erie: U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers, Coastal Engineering Research Center, 

Miscellaneous Report 82-9, 62 p. 

Wold, R.J., 1979, Maps showing bedrock topography of Lake 

Superior: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1174, scale 1:600,000. 

Wold, R.J., Paull, R.A., Wolosin, C.A., and Friedel, R.J., 1981, 

Geology of central Lake Michigan: American Association of 

Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 65, no. 9, p. 1621-1632, 

scale approx. 1:1,000,000. 

ATLANTIC OFFSHORE 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-In general, surficial bottom sediments are dominantly fine grained and 

stratified in Long Island Sound and eastward to roughly the 

Rhode Island-Massachusetts line. To the east, around Cape 

Cod, and northward to offshore New Hampshire, coarser 

grained stratified sediments dominate. Along the Maine 

coast, till and fine-grained stratified bottom deposits are 

common. From Long Island Sound eastward to the limit of 

data at Nantucket Island, sediment thickness exceeds 400ft 

over buried valleys; on the submarine uplands, less than 100 

ft of sediment is common. North of Cape Cod, sediment 

thickness is variable but generally thins northward. In 

offshore areas of Maine, sediment is less than 50 ft thick in 

most places, exceeding 100ft only in large buried valleys. 

Surficial information. -Fifteen sources were used in 

the Quaternary sediments map compilation. Bottom grab 

samples, which sample only the upper few inches of the sea 

floor, were the most common data available. On some 

source maps, lithology was estimated by seismic characteristics. Overall, the reliability of the map data is considered 

to be moderately low. 

52 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
Thickness information.-In many areas, the thickness 

of Holocene sediments and thickness of glacial sediments 

were computed at points along seismic tracklines and were 

used to calculate total Quaternary sediment thickness. In 

other areas, bedrock-surface contour maps and bathymetric 

maps were available, and sediment thickness was computed 

from those. The reliability of the map data is considered to 

be moderately high. 

Subsurface infarmation.-No attempt was made to 

characterize buried units offshore. 

Character of Bottom Sediments 

Birch, F.S., 1984, A geophysical study of sedimentary deposits on 

the inner continental shelf of New Hampshire: Northeastern 

Geology, v. 6, no. 4, p. 207-221. 

Folger, D.W., O'Hara, C.J., and Robb, J.M., 1975, Maps 

showing bottom sediments on the continental shelf of the 

northeastern United States-Cape Ann, Massachusetts to 

Casco Bay, Maine: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous 

Investigations Series Map I-839, scale 1 : 125,000. · 

Kelley, J.T., 1986, written communication of data later released 

as: 

Kelley, J.T., and Belknap, D.F., 1988, Geomorphology 

and sedimentary framework of the inner continental 

shelf of central Maine: Maine Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 88-6, 51 p. 

Kelley, J.T., Belknap, D.F., and Shipp, R.C., 1987, 

Geomorphology and sedimentary framework of the 

inner continental shelf of south-central Maine: Maine 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 87-19, 76 p. 

---1987, Geomorphology and sedimentary framework of the inner continental shelf of southwestern 

Maine: Maine Geological Survey Open-File Report 

87-5, 85 p. 

Knebel, H.J., and Scanlon, K.M., 1985, Maps showing sea-floor 

topography, depth to bedrock, and sediment thickness, 

Penobscot Bay, Maine: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1751, scale 1:100,000. 

Needell, S.W., and Lewis, R.S., 1984, Geology and structure of 

Block Island Sound, Rhode Island and New York: U.S. 

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 

MF-1621, scale 1:125,000. 

Needell, S.W., O'Hara, C.J., and Knebel, H.J., 1983, Quaternary geology of the Rhode Island inner shelf: Marine Geology, v. 53, p. 41-53, scale approx. 1:360,000. 

O'Hara, C.J., and Oldale, R.N., 1980, Maps showing geology 

and shallow structure of eastern Rhode lslaJ!d Sound and 

Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey 

Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1186, scale l: 125,000. 

---1987, Maps showing geology, shallow structure, and 

bedform morphology of Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts: 

U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 

MF-1911, scale 1:125,000. 

Robb, J.M., and Oldale, R.N., 1977, Preliminary geologic maps, 

Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-889, scale approx. 

1:100,000 and 1:160,000. 

Schlee, John, Folger, D.W., and O'Hara, C.J., 1973, Bottom 

sediments on the continental shelf off the northeastern United 

States-Cape Cod to Cape Ann, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 

l-746, scale 1:125,000. 

Stone, J.R., Stone, B.D., and Lewis, R.S., 1986, Late Quaternary deposits of the southern Quinnipiac-Farmington lowland 

and Long Island Sound basin: their place in a regional 

stratigraphic framework: Connecticut Geological and Natural 

History Survey Guidebook 6, p. 535-575. 

Williams, S.J., 1976, Geomorphology, shallow subbottom structure, and sediments of the Atlantic inner continental shelf off 

Long Island, New York: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

Coastal Engineering Research Center, Technical Paper no. 

76-2, 123 p. 

---1981 , Sand resources and geological character of Long 

Island Sound: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal 

Engineering Research Center, Technical Paper no. 81-3, 65 

p., scale 1:750,000. 

Thickness of Quaternary Sediment 

Birch, F.S., 1984, A geophysical study of sedimentary deposits on 

the inner continental shelf of New Hampshire: Northeastern 

Geology, v. 6, no. 4, p. 207-221. 

Grim, M.S., Drake, C.L., and Heirtzler, J.R., 1970, Sub-bottom 

study of Long Island Sound: Geological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 81, p. 649-666, scale approx. 1:700,000. 

Haeni, F.P., and Sanders, J.E., 1974, Contour map of the bedrock 

surface, New Haven-Woodmont quadrangles, Connecticut: 

U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 

MF-557-A, scale I :24,000. 

Kelley, J. T., 1986, written communication of data later released 

as: 

Kelley, J.T., and Belknap, D.F., 1988, Geomorphology 

and sedimentary framework of the inner continental 

shelf of central Maine: Maine Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 88-6, 51 p. 

Kelley, J.T., Belknap, D.F., and Shipp, R.C., 1987, 

Geomorphology and sedimentary framework of the 

inner continental shelf of south-central Maine: Maine 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 87-19, 76 p. 

---1987, Geomorphology and sedimentary framework of the inner continental shelf of southwestern 

Maine: Maine Geological Survey Open-File Report 

87-5, 85 p. 

Knebel, H.J., and Scanlon, K.M., 1985, Maps showing sea-floor 

topography, depth to bedrock, and sediment thickness, 

Penobscot Bay, Maine: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1751, scale 1:100,000. 

Lewis, R.S., and Needell, S.W., 1987, Maps showing the 

stratigraphic framework and Quaternary geologic history of 

eastern Long Island Sound: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1939-A, 7 p., 3 sheets, scale 

1:125,000. 

McMaster, R.L., and Ashraf, As• f, 1973, Extent and formation of 

deeply buried channels on th<! continental shelf off southern 

New England: Journal of Geology, v. 81, p. 374-379. 

Atlantic Offshore 53 
O'Hara, C.J., and Oldale, R.N., 1980, Maps showing geology 

and shallow structure of eastern Rhode Island Sound and 

Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey 

Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1186, scale I :125,000. 

Oldale, R.N., 1985, U.S. Geological Survey, written communication. For parts of the offshore area of this map (central and 

eastern Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, Cape Cod 

Bay, Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts Bay, and offshore 

from Cape Ann to New Hampshire line), seismic data 

supplied by Oldale were used to compile the combined 

thickness of glacial and Holocene sediments. 

Robb, J.M., and Oldale, R.N., 1977, Preliminary geologic maps, 

Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-889, scale 1:160,000. 

Smolensky, D.A., Buxton, H.T., and Shernoff, P.K., in press, 

Hydrogeologic framework of Long Island, New York: U.S. 

Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-709, 

scale 1:125,000. 

Tuttle, C.R., Allen, W.B., and Hahn, G.W., 1961, A seismic 

record of Mesozoic rocks on Block Island, Rhode Island: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 424-C, p. 

C254-C256. 

Williams, S.J., 1976, Geomorphology, shallow subbottom structure, and sediments ofthe Atlantic inner continental shelf off 

Long Island, New York: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

Coastal Engineering Research Center, Technical Paper no. 

76---2, 123 p. 

ONTARIO, CANADA 

Overview of Quaternary deposits.-In southern 

Ontario, surface sediments are dominantly silty till, except 

in the Great Lakes lowlands where the till is clayey. Large 

areas of stratified deposits, generally coarse grained, are 

present throughout southern Ontario and are especially 

common near Lake Erie. Sediment thickness is mostly 

between 50 and 200 ft; near the northern coast of Lake Erie 

and north of Lake Ontario, thicknesses exceed 200ft. 

Surficial information.-A surficial map of southern 

Ontario (Chapman and Putnam, 1984), scale 1:600,000, 

was used to compile the Quaternary sediments map. Minor 

reinterpretation was required to adapt map units to the 

classification scheme of the Quaternary sediments map. The 

reliability of the map data is considered to be moderately 

high. 

Thickness infonnation.-A sediment-thickness map 

prepared by the Ontario Geological Survey (Sado and 

Easton, 1985), scale 1:125,000, was used to compile the 

Quaternary sediments map. The reliability of the map data 

is considered to be moderate. 

Subsurface information.-No attempt was made to 

characterize the subsurface deposits of southern Ontario. 

Surficial Information 

*Chapman, L.J., and Putnam, D.F., 1984, The physiography of 

southern Ontario (3d ed.): Ontario Geological Survey Special Volume 2, 270 p., scale 1:600,000. 

Zoltai, S.C., 1965, Kenora-Rainy River, surficial geology: 

Ontario Department of Lands and Forests, Map Sl65, scale 

1:506,880. 

Thickness Information 

Sado, E.V., and Easton, J., 1985, Compilation of drift thickness 

data for Toronto-Windsor-Bruce Peninsula area: Toronto, 

Ont., Ontario Geological Survey, unpublished maps, scale 

1:125,000. 

54 Text and References for Map of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated U.S. East of the Rocky Mountains 
SELECTED SERIES OF U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PUBLICATIONS 

Periodicals 

Earthquakes & Volcanoes (issued bimonthly). 

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Technical Books and Reports 

Professional Papers are mainly comprehensive scientific reports 

of wide and lasting interest and importance to professional scientists 

and engineers. Included are reports on the results of resource studies 

and of topographic, hydrologic, and geologic investigations. They also 

include collections of related papers addressing different aspects of a 

single scientific topic. 

Bulletins contain significant data and interpretations that are of 

lasting scientific interest but are generally more limited in scope or 

geographic coverage than Professional Papers. They include the results 

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Water-Supply Papers are comprehensive reports that present 

significant interpretive results of hydrologic investigations of wide 

interest to professional geologists, hydrologists, and engineers. The 

series covers investigations .in all phases of hydrology, including 

hydrogeology, availability of water, quality of water, and use of water. 

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scientific information of wide popular interest in a format designed for 

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Water-Resources Investigations Reports are papers of an 

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mainly 1:24,000 or 1:62,500) showing bedrock, surficial, or 

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Oil and Gas Investigations Charts show stratigraphic 

information for certain oil and gas fields and other areas having 

petroleum potential. 

Miscellaneous Field Studies Maps are rnulticolor or black-andwhite maps on topographic or planimetric bases for quadrangle or 

irregular areas at various scales. Pre-1971 maps show bedrock geology 

in relation to specific mining or mineral-deposit problems; post-1971 

maps are primarily black-and-white maps on various subjects such as 

environmental studies or wilderness mineral investigations. 

Hydrologic Investigations Atlases are multicolored or blackand-white maps on topographic or planimetric bases presenting a wide 

range of geohydrologic data of both regular and irregular areas; 

principal scale is 1:24,000, and regional studies are at I :250,000 scale 

or smaller. 

Catalogs 

Permanent catalogs, as well as some others, giving 

comprehensive listings of U.S. Geological Survey publications are 

available under the conditions indicated below from the U.S. 

Geological Survey, Book and Open-File Report Sales, Federal Center, 

Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225. (See latest Price and Availability List.) 

"Publications of the Geological Survey, 1879-1961" may be 

purchased by mail and over the counter in paperback book form and as 

a set of microfiche. 

"Publications of the Geological Survey, 1962-1970" may be 

purcha~ed by mail and over the counter in paperback book form and as 

a set of microfiche. 

"Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971-1981" may 

be purchased by mail and over the counter in paperback book form (two 

volumes, publications listing and index) and as a set of microfiche. 

Supplements for 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and for 

subsequent years since the last permanent catalog may-be purchased by 

mail and over the counter in paperback book form. 

State catalogs, "List of U.S. Geological Survey Geologic and 

Water-Supply Reports and Maps For (State)," may be purchased by 

mail and over the counter in paperback booklet form only. 

"Price and Availability List of U.S. Geological Survey 

Publications," issued annually, is available free of charge in paperback 

booklet form only. 

Selected copies of a monthly catalog "New Publications of the 

U.S. Geological Survey" are available free of charge by mail or may 

be obtained over the counter in paperback booklet form only. Those 

wishing a free subscription to the monthly catalog "New Publications of 

the U.S. Geological Survey" should write to the U.S. Geological 

Survey, 582 National Center, Reston, VA 22092. 

Note.-Prices of Government publications listed in older 

catalogs, announcements, and publications may be incorrect. 

Therefore, the prices charged may differ from the prices in catalogs, 

announcements, and publications. 
P OF QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS, GLACIATED U.S. EAST OF ROCKY MTNS."- U.S. Geological Survey Bu lletin 1921