THE SALINA BASIN OF KANSAS AND NEBRASKA

The Salina Basin of north-central Kansas and its extension into south-central Nebraska where it is known as the Central Nebraska Basin is a cratonic sedimentary and structure feature. The basin is floored by a crystalline Precambrian basement and contains a section of overlying Paleozoic and younger sedimentary units with extensive gaps in the record through time. The sedimentary package consists of interbedded limestone and shale with local sandstone units. The basin has a maximum package of sediments of some 4,500 feet overlying the Precambrian basement. The basin was formed near the end of Mississippian time and prior was part of the larger North Kansas Basin. It is bounded by the positive features Nemaha Anticline, Central Kansas Uplift/Cambridge Arch in Kansas. To-date no notable occurrence of oil and gas have been found in the basin except along the southern limit in north-central Kansas. Two to three classes of oil are present in this region. The geologic history of the basin is similar to other close-by cratonic sedimentary basins - thin alternating sedimentary units separated by long intervals of no record. Why the basin is barren is puzzling but sufficient thermal maturation and source-rock richness may be the main problems. The geologic history of the basin is noted on a regional basis.