Gasport Formation
Stratigraphic range: Sheinwoodian ~433-432  Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Type	Formation
Unit of	Lockport Group
Sub-units	Pekin Member Gothic Hill Member
Underlies	Goat Island Formaion
Overlies	Clinton Group
Lithology
Primary	Limestone, Dolomite
Other	Chert
Location
Region	New York   Ohio   Pennsylvania   West Virginia   Ontario
Country	United States   Canada
Type section
Named for	Gasport, New York
Named by	Brett C.E.

The Gasport Formation is a geologic formation in the Appalachian Basin and Michigan Basin. ^[1] This is one of the reef formations separating the Appalachian Basin from the Michigan Basin and the Ohio Basin. It is a part of the Lockport Group of carbonates. It is the lowest and oldest formation within the Lockport. The Gasport is found in Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Outcrops are limited to the area around the Great Lakes. It is part of a large reef structure dating back to the Silurian period. Being part of the Lockport Group it is a feature of the Niagara Escarpment. ^[2]

Description

The Gasport represents a period of reef building with the upper Pekin member containing large Stromatolite structures. ^[3] The lower Gothic Hill member contains Bryozones, corals, and crinoids. The upper Pekin member is a dark grey argillaceous limestone. The texture of the member tends to be grainstone to wackestone. ^[4] Bioherms are common through this member. Many large structures can be observed in outcrops and quarries up to 25 feet tall and 100 feet in length. At its base there is a erosional disconformity contact with the underlaying Clinton Group.

References