PARADISE (AND HERRIN) LOST: MARGINAL DEPOSITIONAL SETTINGS OF THE HERRIN AND PARADISE COALS, WESTERN KENTUCKY COALFIELD

The Westphalian D (Pennsylvanian) Herrin (No. 11) and Paradise (No. 12) coals have been mined in the southern portion of the Western Kentucky coalfield. Where the coals are best developed, the Herrin is overlain in sequence by a thin black shale; followed by a limestone, and the Paradise coal. A limestone usually overlies the Paradise coal. Total thickness from the base of the Herrin to the top of the Paradise is as little as 4 m, but averages about 6 m.

Deposition of the sequence was influenced both by the underlying sediments and by a marine transgression. The former influence is seen in variations in coal and limestone thickness over sandstone-filled channels versus over shale bayfill deposits. The latter is marked by the progressive upwards loss of coal benches (i.e., the bottom bench of both coals is the most extensive and the Herrin is more extensive than the Paradise) and by marine partings in both coals. Further, the Herrin is known to have a brecciated margin, generally accompanied by thinning of the coal bed. Brecciation appears to have closely followed peat deposition, as marked by the continuation of partings into the brecciated facies.