High-resolution correlation in apparently monotonous rocks: Upper Ordovician Kope Formation, Cincinnati arch

Short stratigraphic sections in apparently monotonous strata pose several c hallenges to high-resolution (<1 m) correlation. A lack of distinctive mark er horizons can prevent obvious visual correlations between the sections. T he stratigraphic shortness of the outcrops further reduces the likelihood o f any given section having a recognizable marker horizon. The Upper Ordovic ian Kope Formation of the Cincinnati, Ohio, area exhibits both of these pro blems and correlation within the Kope has not been accomplished easily, to date. However, cross-correlation of meter-scale cycles in the Kope can be u sed to identify potential correlations of small outcrops to Larger, well-de scribed outcrops. If multiple correlations are equally plausible, Large-sca le faunal transitions among facies fossils can then be used to select the b est correlation. In this pilot study, two sections separated by 9 Lm are co rrelated successfully using these methodologies, which show promise for the correlation of numerous outcrops in the Cincinnati area. In addition, the methods described here may be applied easily to other areas of limited outc rop in which the rocks are so complexly cyclic that they likewise, appear t o be monotonous.