High-resolution correlation in apparently monotonous rocks: Upper Ordovician Kope Formation, Cincinnati arch

Short stratigraphic sections in apparently monotonous strata pose several challenges to high-resolution (<1 m) correlation. A lack of distinctive marker horizons can prevent obvious visual correlations between the sections. The stratigraphic shortness of the outcrops further reduces the likelihood of any given section having a recognizable marker horizon. The Upper Ordovician Kope Formation of the Cincinnati, Ohio, area exhibits both of these problems and correlation within the Kope has not been accomplished easily, to date. However, cross-correlation of meter-scale cycles in the Kope can be used to identify potential correlations of small outcrops to Larger, well-described outcrops. If multiple correlations are equally plausible, Large-scale faunal transitions among facies fossils can then be used to select the best correlation. In this pilot study, two sections separated by 9 Lm are correlated successfully using these methodologies, which show promise for the correlation of numerous outcrops in the Cincinnati area. In addition, the methods described here may be applied easily to other areas of limited outcrop in which the rocks are so complexly cyclic that they likewise, appear to be monotonous.