LITHOLOGIC AND GEOCHEMCIAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE FIRE-CLAY COAL BED, SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY, IN THE VICINITY OF SANDSTONE WASHOUTS

The Fire Clay (Hazard No. 4) coal bed of the Middle Pennsylvanian Brea thitt Formation in eastern Kentucky is interrupted by a series of disc ontinuous sandstone bodies. This sand belt, which includes two washout s, was studied in Perry County. The coal thickens toward the interrupt ions and the coal between the sand bodies is highly disturbed. Several prominent durains in the upper bench of the coal bed are laterally co ntinuous within the study area. Statistical analysis indicates that th e durain layers contribute much of the vertical coal quality variation . The sandstone bodies are inferred to be a result of post-depositiona l fluvial activity and the disturbance of the coal between washouts is due to compaction-related slumping. A thin kaolinite-rich lens simila r to the flint clay parting was found below the main parting.