SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC FRAMEWORK OF THE MID-CRETACEOUS NONMARINE POTOMAC FORMATION IN NEW JERSEY AND DELAWARE

We develop a sequence stratigraphic framework for the ?Barremian to lower Cenomanian of the fluvial-deltaic Potomac Formation in the Medford, NJ, Fort Mott, NJ, and Summit Marina, DE coreholes. Previous correlations have matched distinctive lithologic units associated with distinct pollen zones and identified tentative sequence boundaries between lithologic units I (?Barremian to lower Aptian, pollen Zone I), II (Aptian to ?lowermost Cenomanian; pollen Zone II), and III (lower Cenomanian, pollen Zone III) at all three sites. Here, we further subdivide these units into packages known as Fluvial Aggradation Cycles (FACs). An analysis of FAC stacking patterns reveals potential sequence boundaries and systems tracts. FACs support the identification of unit boundaries as sequence boundaries. FACs also indicate tentative higher order sequence boundaries and provide potential additional correlative surfaces among Potomac Formation sites.