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Reconnaissance Of Landslides And Debris Flows Associated With The July 2022 Flooding In Eastern Kentucky, Matt M. Crawford, Zhenming Wang, Seth Carpenter, Jonathan Schmidt, Hudson J. Koch, Jason M. Dortch

Report of Investigations--KGS

Between July 25 and July 30, 2022, a series of convective storms generated approximately 14–16 inches of rainfall across parts of eastern Kentucky, predominately in Clay, Leslie, Perry, Breathitt, Knott, and Letcher Counties. The peak rainfall occurred on the evening of July 27 and the morning of July 28, with the hardest-hit areas experiencing more than 10 inches in a 24-hour period. The historic rainfall led to catastrophic flooding along many rivers and streams, but also triggered widespread landslides and debris flows that damaged roads, homes, property, and other infrastructure. Once initial relief and recovery efforts were established, the Kentucky …

Seismic Monitoring And Baseline Microseismicity In The Rome Trough, Eastern Kentucky, N. Seth Carpenter, Andrew S. Holcomb, Zhenming Wang, John B. Hickman, Edward W. Woolery

Report of Investigations--KGS

In the central and eastern United States, felt earthquakes likely triggered by fluid injection from oil and gas production or wastewater disposal have dramatically increased in frequency since the onset of the unconventional shale gas and oil boom. In the Rome Trough of eastern Kentucky, fracture stimulations and wastewater injection are ongoing and occur near areas of historical seismic activity. Unlike in surrounding and nearby states (Ohio, West Virginia, and Arkansas), in Kentucky, no seismic events related to subsurface fluid injections have been reported as felt or detected by regional seismic networks, including the Kentucky Seismic and Strong-Motion Network.

Oil …

Kentucky Terrain, Daniel I. Carey, Terry D. Hounshell

Map and Chart--KGS

The terrain of Kentucky has been shaped by geologic forces and the underlying rocks.Tectonic forces lifted, bent, and buckled the rocks–originally formed from sediments on shallow sea floors or swampy lowlands. Weathering and erosion shaved the hills and dissected the plains, exposing at the surface a cross section of rocks 250 to 500 million years old. The sands, gravels, silts, and clays of the Jackson Purchase Region are younger, remnants of a time when the sea lapped at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.

The landforms in Kentucky are the result of the differential weathering of interbedded sandstones, …

Water-Quality And -Quantity Data For Abandoned Underground Coal Mines In Eastern Kentucky, Steven E. Webb, Dennis H. Cumbie, James S. Dinger, Leslie K. Russo

Information Circular--KGS

Water-quality and -quantity analyses were performed between 1997 and 2003 by the Kentucky Geological Survey under contract from the Kentucky River Authority and the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority to study abandoned underground coal mines as possible water supplies for communities in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. The steep terrain of the coal field limits surface-water supplies, and groundwater systems are difficult to locate and often have too low a yield to provide community water supplies. KGS has been working with the Kentucky River Authority, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, and local government officials to search for water supplies in abandoned underground coal …

Assessing Water-Supply Potential Of Abandoned Underground Coal Mines In Eastern Kentucky, James S. Dinger, Dennis H. Cumbie, Bart Davidson

Report of Investigations--KGS

Use of water in abandoned underground coal mines for municipal, industrial, agricultural, or domestic water supplies is dependent upon the water quantity and quality. For either of these factors, the requirements of the user will play a role in what water quantity or quality is acceptable. This report provides analysis of field-derived water-quality and -quantity characteristics for six abandoned underground coal mines in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. In addition, some ancillary data from State regulatory agencies were used to help characterize water quality coming from the mines.

This study demonstrates that water quality in abandoned deep mines can be …

Structure And Isopach Maps Of The Mississippian "Big Lime" (Newman Limestone/Slade Formation), Eastern Kentucky, David C. Harris, Thomas N. Sparks

Map and Chart--KGS

The maps included in this publication were made using stratigraphic data collected by us from almost 8,000 wells as part of a regional stratigraphic study of the Mississippian Slade Formation in eastern Kentucky. The data extend from the Mississippian outcrop belt along the northwestern edge of the map area to the state borders on the northeast. The southeastern border of the map area is marked by the Pine Mountain Fault.

Formation tops data for these wells were collected from geophysical (electric) logs and drillers' logs, and are available in electronic format from the Kentucky Geological Survey (Harris and Sparks, 1997). …

Total Thickness Of The Amburgy Coal In Eastern Kentucky, Michael G. Shultz, Jeffery A. Esterle, Ernest E. Thacker

Map and Chart--KGS

This map showing the regional characteristics of the Amburgy coal bed was prepared as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Coal Assessment program, which compiles regional maps and databases that provide a comprehensive assessment of the most important coal beds in the nation. The Amburgy coal zone is composed of a number of distinct coal beds that merge in some areas to form mineable coal bodies. For the purpose of this assessment, the zone has been divided into two beds; the Lower Amburgy (A) and Upper Ambury (B). The lower bed is of greatest economic significance and is the …

Mining Geology Of The Fire Clay Coal, Stephen F. Greb

Map and Chart--KGS

The Fire Clay (Hazard No. 4) coal is one of the leading producers in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field, with more than 20 million short tons of annual production and 230 million short tons mined between 1976 and 1992, according to Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals data. Regional thickness and resources of the coal are calculated in Greb and others (1999c) and Thacker and others (2000a, b).

Stratigraphically, the coal occurs in the middle part of the Hyden Formation of the Breathitt Group (Fig. 1), which was previously part of the Breathitt Formation (Chesnut, 1992). The coal occurs between …

Coal Resources Of The Fire Clay Coal Zone In Eastern Kentucky, Ernest E. Thacker, Gerald A. Weisenfluh, Jeffery A. Esterle, Stephen F. Greb, John K. Hiett

Map and Chart--KGS

This chart is one of a series that shows the regional characteristics of the Fire Clay coal zone. The maps and charts were prepared as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Coal Assessment Program, which compiles regional maps and databases that provide a comprehensive assessment of the most important coal beds in the nation. Within this coal zone, the Fire Clay coal is the most economically important bed and is one of the leading producers in the state of Kentucky. The Fire Clay coal contains a flint-clay parting that is believed to be of volcanic origin. The widespread occurrence …

Total Coal Thickness Of The Upper Elkhorn No. 3a Coal (Lower Bed) In Eastern Kentucky, Jeffery A. Esterle, Ernest E. Thacker, Gerald A. Weisenfluh

Map and Chart--KGS

This map is one of a series that shows the regional characteristics of the Upper Elkhorn No. 3 coal zone. The maps were prepared as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Coal Assessment Program, which compiles regional maps and databases that provide a comprehensive assessment of the most important coal beds in the nation. The Upper Elkhorn No. 3 coal zone has been one of the leading producers in the state of Kentucky and, in some areas, contains very high-quality coal. The zone is composed of a number of distinct coal beds that merge in some areas to form …

Coal Resources Of The Upper Elkhorn No. 3b Coal (Upper Bed) In Eastern Kentucky, Jeffery A. Esterle, Ernest E. Thacker, Gerald A. Weisenfluh, John K. Hiett

Map and Chart--KGS

This chart is one of a series that shows the regional characteristics of the Upper Elkhorn No. 3 coal zone. The maps and charts were prepared as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Coal Assessment Program, which compiles regional maps and databases that provide a comprehensive assessment of the most important coal beds in the nation. The Upper Elkhorn No. 3 coal zone has been one of the leading producers in the state of Kentucky and, in some areas, is of very high quality. Bed stratigraphy within the Upper Elkhorn No. 3 zone and thickness of the No. 3A …

Quality Characteristics Of The Lower Elkhorn Coal Bed In Eastern Kentucky, Cortland F. Eble

Map and Chart--KGS

Thickness and quality data from the Kentucky Coal Resources Information System (KCRIS) are summarized in this chart for the Lower Elkhorn coal bed (and equivalents). Parameter averages and ranges of values are presented in the two tables, and average values are displayed graphically by county.

Total Coal Thickness Of The Fire Clay And Fire Clay Rider Coals In Eastern Kentucky, Ernest E. Thacker, Gerald A. Weisenfluh, Stephen F. Greb, Jeffery A. Esterle

Map and Chart--KGS

This map is one of a series that shows the regional characteristics of the Fire Clay coal zone. The maps were prepared as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Coal Assessment Program, which compiles regional maps and databases that provide a comprehensive assessment of the most important coal beds in the nation. Within the zone, the Fire Clay coal is the most economically important bed and is one of the leading producers in the state of Kentucky. It is known for a persistent flint-clay parting that is believed to be of volcanic origin. This map represents the total coal …

Coal Resources Of The Upper Elkhorn No. 3a Coal (Lower Bed) In Eastern Kentucky, Jeffery A. Esterle, Ernest E. Thacker, Gerald A. Weisenfluh, John K. Hiett

Map and Chart--KGS

This map is one of a series that shows the regional characteristics of the Upper Elkhorn No. 3 coal zone. The maps were prepared as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Coal Assessment Program, which compiles regional maps and databases that provide a comprehensive assessment of the most important coal beds in the nation. The Upper Elkhorn No. 3 coal zone has been one of the leading producers in the state of Kentucky and, in some areas, is of very high quality. Bed stratigraphy within the Upper Elkhorn No. 3 zone and coal thickness of the No. 3A coal …

Regional Subsurface Geologic Cross Sections Of The Mississippian System, Appalachian Basin, Eastern Kentucky, David C. Harris, Thomas N. Sparks

Map and Chart--KGS

This series of 14 regional cross sections illustrates subsurface stratigraphic correlations of Mississippian (upper Carboniferous) rocks in the Appalachian Basin of eastern Kentucky. These cross sections were constructed as part of a regional stratigraphic study of the Mississippian "Big Lime," a major oil- and gas-producing formation. The series illustrates 10 dip-oriented and 4 strike-oriented lines, extending from the Slade Formation outcrop belt on the northwest, to the state borders on the east and south. Stratigraphic and structural versions are shown for each section to better illustrate thickness and structural variations. These cross sections served as the regional framework during collection …

Available Resources Of The Fire Clay Coal In Part Of The Eastern Kentucky Coal Field, Stephen F. Greb, Gerald A. Weisenfluh, Robert E. Andrews, John K. Hiett, James C. Cobb, Richard E. Sergeant

Report of Investigations--KGS

Available resources for the Fire Clay coal were calculated for a 15-quadrangle area in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. Original coal resources were estimated to be 1.8 billion tons (BT). Coal mined or lost in mining was estimated at 449 million tons (MT), leaving 1.3 BT of remaining Fire Clay resources in the study area. Of the remaining resources, 400 MT is restricted from mining, primarily because the coal is less than 28 in. thick, normally considered too thin to mine underground using present technology. The total coal available for mining in the study area is 911 MT, or 52 …

Geology Of The Fire Clay Coal In Part Of The Eastern Kentucky Coal Field, Stephen F. Greb, John K. Hiett, Gerald A. Weisenfluh, Robert E. Andrews, Richard E. Sergeant

Report of Investigations--KGS

Coal beds mined in Kentucky often are not laterally continuous in thickness, quality, or roof condition. Regional and local variation is common. Because thickness, quality, and roof conditions are the result of geologic processes that were active when the coal was deposited as a peat swamp, a better understanding of the relationships between geology and major coal resources can aid in identifying geologic trends, which can be extrapolated beyond areas of present mining. The focus of this study is on the Fire Clay (Hazard No. 4) coal, one of the leading producers in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field with 20 …

Compositional Variations In The Fire Clay Coal Bed Of Eastern Kentucky: Geochemistry, Petrography, Palynology, And Paleoecology, Cortland F. Eble, James C. Hower, William Morton Andrews Jr.

Report of Investigations--KGS

Bench samples of the Fire Clay coal bed, collected from 28 localities in a study area of eight 7.5-minute quadrangles in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field, were analyzed geochemically, petrographically, and palynologically to determine any spatial or temporal trends among the studied parameters.

At most sample sites the Fire Clay is split by a flint-clay parting of probable volcanic origin. The upper bench of the Fire Clay coal generally is thick, laterally continuous, low in ash yield and sulfur content, has a moderate to high calorific value, and is high in total vitrinite content. In contrast, the lower bench generally …

Total Coal Thickness Of The Lower Elkhorn Coal In Eastern Kentucky, Ernest E. Thacker, Gerald A. Weisenfluh, William M. Andrews Jr.

Map and Chart--KGS

This map is one of a series that shows the regional characteristics of the Lower Elkhorn coal. The maps were prepared as part of the U.S. Geological Surveys National Coal Assessment Program, which compiles regional maps and databases that provide a comprehensive assessment of the most important coal beds in the nation. The Lower Elkhorn coal is one of the leading producers in the state of Kentucky and has, in some areas, a reputation as an excellent metallurgical-grade coal. It is known locally as the Pond Creek, Imboden, Path Fork, Blue Gem, Straight Creek, Bruin, or Vires coal bed. This …

Hydrogeology, Hydrogeochemistry, And Spoil Settlement At A Large Mine-Spoil Area In Eastern Kentucky: Star Fire Tract, David R. Wunsch, James S. Dinger, Page B. Taylor, Daniel I. Carey, C. Douglas R. Graham

Report of Investigations--KGS

An applied research program at the Star Fire surface mine in eastern Kentucky, owned and operated by Cypress-AMAX Coal Co., defined spoil characteristics to develop and monitor water resources, which will help identify a reliable water supply for future property development. Water stored in the mine spoil may provide a usable ground-water supply, and the spoil could also be engineered to provide base flow to surfacewater reservoirs.

Ground-water recharge enters the spoil by way of sinking streams, ground-water flow from bedrock in contact with the mine spoil, and a specially designed infiltration basin. Ground water discharges predominantly from springs and …

Effects Of Longwall Mining On Hydrogeology, Leslie County, Kentucky Part 1: Pre-Mining Conditions, Shelley A. Minns, James A. Kipp, Daniel I. Carey, James S. Dinger, Lyle V. A. Sendlein

Report of Investigations--KGS

An investigation of the hydrologic effects of longwall coal mining is in progress in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. The study area is located in a first-order watershed in southern Leslie County over Shamrock Coal Company's Beech Fork Mine (Edd Fork Basin on the Helton 7.5-minute quadrangle). Longwall panels approximately 700 feet wide are separated by three-entry gateways 200 feet wide. The mine is operating in the Fire Clay coal (Hazard No. 4); overburden thickness ranges from 300 to 1,000 feet. Mining in the watershed began in late summer 1993. Undermining of the instrumented panel (panel 7) is anticipated for …

Preliminary Map Of The Structure Of The Precambrian Surface In Eastern Kentucky, James A. Drahovzal, Martin C. Noger

Map and Chart--KGS

This preliminary interpretation of the Precambrian unconformity surface in eastern Kentucky is based on data available to the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) as of November 1994. In early 1995, additional data became available to the KGS. Subsequent work using the new data should result in a more complete interpretation of the area within the next several years.

The map illustrates the Rome Trough and associated structures of the Precambrian surface, and as such contributes to an understanding of the regional geology, geologic evolution, distribution of energy and mineral resources, and potential geologic hazards. While it cannot be considered a prospecting …

Design, Construction, And Monitoring Of The Ground-Water Resources Of A Large Mine-Spoil Area: Star Fire Tract, Eastern Kentucky, David R. Wunsch, James S. Dinger, Page B. Taylor

Report of Investigations--KGS

By the year 2010, the Star Fire mining operation in Knott, Breathitt, and Perry Counties in eastern Kentucky, which uses mountaintop-removal and hollow-fill mining techniques, will have created approximately 5,000 acres of gently rolling terrain that could support alternative land uses. The present research is centered on approximately 1,000 acres of spoil created since mining began in 1981. An aquifer fed by both ground and surface water will be created within the spoil. Spoil-handling techniques such as cast blasting, dragline placement, end dumping by trucks, and surface grading have created porous coarse-rock zones within the spoil through which ground water …

Constraints On The Emplacement And Uplift History Of The Pine Mountain Thrust Sheet, Eastern Kentucky: Evidence From Coal Rank Trends, Kieran D. O'Hara, James C. Hower, Susan M. Rimmer

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

In this paper coal rank trends on both sides of the Pine Mountain thrust in eastern Kentucky are used to place constraints on thrust evolution. Vitrinite reflectance () measurements on a single Pennsylvanian coal horizon (Fire Clay coal) in eastern Kentucky increase from 0.5% in the north to about 1.0% toward the SE in front of the Pine Mountain thrust. The same horizon in the hangingwall of the thrust displays lower R_max values (0.8-0.85%). The reflectance isograds are subparallel to the thrust within approximately 10 km of the trace of the fault. We attribute thermal maturation to (1) pre-orogenic …