Pennsylvanian System

Type locality, reference section, and use of name: The Linton Formation was named by Wier (1950) for exposures along the tributaries of Lattas Creek in secs. 26 and 27, T. B N., R. 7 W., 4 miles north of Linton, Greene County, Ind. Because the upper and lower limits of the formation were based on stratigraphic breaks that proved to be discontinuous, the top of the Seelyville Coal Member of the Staunton Formation was designated as the base of the Linton and the top of the Survant Coal Member was designated as the upper boundary by Wier (1961, 1965). Wier's designated reference section is in an abandoned strip mine in the SW¼ sec. 25, T. B N., R. 7 W. Because the Survant Coal Member is commonly divided into multiple splits or may be thin or absent, identification of the upper boundary of the Linton Formation is difficult or arbitrary in some places.

Description: The Linton Formation is the lowermost formation in the Carbondale Group. It includes five named members, which in ascending order are the Coxville Sandstone, Colchester Coal, Mecca Shale, Velpen Limestone, and Survant Coal Members, and unnamed units of sandstone, shale, and clay. Although commonly about 80 feet (24 m) thick on the outcrop, the unit ranges markedly in thickness from 43 to 162 feet (13 to 49 m). Lateral lithologic variations are common. The interval between the Colchester and Seelyville coals varies from about 1 foot (0.3 m) of underclay to 30 feet (9 m) or more of sandstone and shale. The Linton Formation crops out along the east edge of the Illinois Basin from Warrick County to Vermillion County, Ind.

Correlation: The Linton correlates with the lower part of the Carbondale Formation in western Kentucky and the lower part of the Carbondale Formation and the upper part of the Spoon Formation in Illinois. the Spoon Formation in Illinois.