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Syracuse Formation
Syracuse Formation
Stratigraphic range: Homerian; ~428–425 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Type	Formation
Unit of	Salina Group
Sub-units	Unit F1, Unit F2, Unit F3, Unit F4, Unit F5, Unit E, Unit D
Underlies	Bertie Formation
Overlies	Vernon Formation
Area	Appalachian Basin, Michigan Basin
Lithology
Primary	Dolomite, Halite
Other	Anhydrite, Gypsum, Shale, Limestone
Location
Region	New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia Michigan
Country	United States
Type section
Named for	Town of Syracuse
Named by	J.M. Clarke

The Syracuse Formation is a geologic formation in the Appalachian Basin. It is the main salt bearing formation of the Salina Group. This formation depending on location contains up to six salt beds. Aside from salt the formation is made up of dolomite, shale, gypsum and anhydrite. Salt is commercially extracted in Michigan, New York and Ohio. Gypsum mining operations in Michigan and New York are also noted.^[1]

Description

Outcrops in New York and Michigan contain very little if any salt, since surface water would have dissolved it long ago. Most of what we know about the formation comes from oil and natural gas drilling operations. The formation is broken up into several units each represented by a major salt bed.^[1]

Stratigraphy

The upper section or the F1-5 units are where commercially viable salt beds are found. In the E unit the salt beds are not as pure and therefor of little interest.^[1]