The upper part of the Fort Payne Formation contains a series of prograding sandstones and carbonates. Sandstones were mapped as unnamed members on 7.5-minute geologic quadrangle maps (e.g.,Thaden and Lewis, 1962, 1966), but were subsequently named and described as the Jabez and Knifley Members (Sedimentation Seminar, 1972; Kepferle and Lewis, 1975; Pryor and others, 1980). These sandstones exhibit a regional geometry that mirrors (but is more subdued than) the underlying geometry of the Borden delta front (Fig. 1). The Cane Valley Limestone Member consists of a series of prograding carbonate lenses and clinoforms at the top of the Fort Payne Formation (Sedimentation Seminar, 1972; Kepferle and Lewis, 1975). In some cases these limestone lenses were mapped as distinct limestones or combined with the so-called reef limestones on 7.5-minute geologic quadrangle maps. The type section of the Jabez sandstone, is at Harmon Creek, on Lake Cumberland.
Continue to Upper contact of the Fort Payne Formation
Back to Stratigraphy of the Fort Payne Formation
Back to top of Geology of the Fort Payne Formation