Broad Top Thrust Sheet: An Extensive Blind Thrust in the Central Appalachians! Thomas H. Wilson and Robert C. Shumaker? ABSTRACT Interpretation of seismic data from the central Appalachians Valley and Ridge province reveals that a large blind thrust, the Broad Top thrust, is much more extensive than previously realized. This thrust sheet extends across the 15 mi (24 km) width of the Nittany anticlinorium, a dominate structural element that lies along the western margin of the Valley and Ridge province adjacent to the Plateau province in the Appa- lachian foreland. It extends for a distance along strike of at least 100 mi (160 km), and duplicates a 7800 ft (2380 m) thick sequence of Cambrian and Ordovician limestone and dolomite referred to as the Cambrian: Ordovician lithotectonic unit Thinning of the duplicated Cambrian-Ordovician sequence along the length of the Nittany anticlinorium by as much as 2500 ft (760 m) observed on seismic lines is attributed to removal of less brittle intervals, from the base of the upper sheet and top of the lower sheet, The missing section from this inter-sheet detach- ment zone may have been transported toward the fore- land and incorporated into the leading parts of the thrust sheet. The tectonic thinning solves space prob- Jems associated with duplication of the lithotectonic unit beneath what have previously been considered abnormally deep synclines of the anticlinorium. The abnormal depth of these synclines occurs where tec tonic thinning is located on the seismic lines. Structural traps in a triangle zone along the Alleghe- ny structural front have heen attributed to the intense shortening associated with emplacement of the Broad Top thrust sheet. The presence of the thrust sheet {Copyright 1992. The American Assocation of Pttolaum Geologist. Al ats reserved "Manuscript received Apri 8, 1991; revised manuscript February 21, 1992: tral acceptance Maren 12.7992 "Department of Geology ane Geography. West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virgina 32506, “he authors ae gratll to Lauren Geophysical Processing Services and Haliburton Geophysical Serces Ine, for tar permiasion to examine ad publsh portans of thew central Appalochuan solemic databases. Discussions yer the years wih and Fichara Beardsley. Mark Evans, Bil Dunn, and Greg Adamson contibuted tothe development of ideas presented hi Comments on tha manuscrot by Shankar Mitr and Stuart Dean ware gall appreciated. Thanks alse to Abson Hamam and Debbie Benson for rang the ustatone, along the length of the structural front in West Virginia and Virginia enhances the probability of successful exploration for triangle zone structures along the entire length of the structural front. Structures produced by variable tectonic thinning in the inter-sheet detachment zone may also produce additional traps within the anti- clinorium in the form of closure or associated fracture systems. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study is to examine the struc tural geometry and development of the Nittany antic norium in the central Appalachians Valley and Ridge province. Our interpretations are based on common midpoint seismic clata provided to us by Lauren Geo- physical Services and Halliburton Geophysical Services Inc. These data reveal that subsurface structure across the anticlinorium is significantly different from that pro: posed in previous interpretations of the area. The central Appalachian Valley and Ridge province Figure 1) is a division of a fold belt where the style of deformation is dominated by detachment and subhori: zontal slip of stronger units along weaker bedded inter- vals (Rodgers, 1963: Gwinn, 1964). Detached structures, are formed predominantly in two lithotectonie units: the Silurian-Devonian and the Cambrian-Ordovician (Figure 2). Surface structure in the Valley and Ridge, west of the Little North Mountain fault (Figure 1, is, almost entirely confined to the Silurian-Devonian litho- tectonic unit, Although the upper part of the Cambrian Ordovician unit is exposed in places along the axis of the Wills Mountain and Warm Springs anticlines, the structural characteristics of this lithotectonic unit are inferred almost entirely from limited borehole, seismic, and other geophysical data Seismic coverage of the area discussed in earlier interpretations (Perry, 1978; Jacobeen and Kanes, 1974, 1975), was generally single fold. Poor signal-to-noise ratio, particularly in the deeper section, made it difficult to accurately resolve deeper structures. In addition, those data commonly consisted of a series of lines with gaps between them. More recent multifold seismic data over the area suggest that previous interpretations of Cambrian 1310Wilson and Shumaker 1311 VALLEY 4 RIDGE STRUCTURE — Major Feiss Major Thrusts coeee osama Puarea Sraverune ~"Foids (relet 98008)", TTAB YLAND, New YORK Pexnsyivania é mat pS bev aaa Figure 1—Location of the study area is shown in relation to regional tectonic features and physiographic pro ‘es. The Nittany anticlinorium occupies the northwestern half of the area outlined and extends between the ‘west flank of the Wills Mountain (WM) anticline and the Broad Top synclinorium (stippled). CSD = cross-strike structural discontin Ordovician structure have significantly underestimar ed structural shortening associated with the develop- ‘ment of the anticlinorium. Previous interpretations suggested that development of the anticlinorium was an outgrowth of horse emplacement beneath the major structures of the anticlinorium. Although recent data show that individual fault blocks or horses con monly underlie the major surface structures of the anticlinorium, these horses root in an inter-sheet detachment zone or roof thrust rather than in a bas: decollement, The inter-sheet detachment zone sepa rates horses formed of the Cambrian and Ordovician sequence (Figure 2) in the upper (Broad Top thrust) sheet from a comparatively undeformed underlying sequence of the same formations. On the basis of an examination of nearly 30 strike and dip seismic lines from this area, we determined that the Broad Top thrust sheet rises out of the Broad Top synelinorium (adjacent to the southeast of the Nittany anticlinori- um) (Figures 1, 3) and extends across the entire width of the anticlinorium along at least 100 mi (160 km) of its length, SEISMIC INTERPRETATION The structural interpretation presented here is based on examination of several strike lines and dip lines over the Nittany anticlinorium. Selected lines (Lt, L2, 13, and SL) from the Lauren and Halliburton regional surveys (Figure 3) are presented. Examination of these seismic lines (Figures 4-9) defines the extent of the1312. _Broad Top Thrust Sheet P VELOCITY (ft/s) Relative 10,000 20,000 acraveay Source of Strength Velocities onisKany SS DEVONIAN eLDERBERG GA + STRONG 24 TONOLOWAY Fa cuban L WntaMgeear ne DEVONIAN siunian — REEVER'SROELEN Lmmoreerome “4 OSE HL FM ne antl Tuscanona ss DUCKWORTH Fane) sonic 05 —— STRONG + JUNATA 8 6 tractteo ! osweco ‘i = MaRTINSHURG Fae MAJOR r= Se sue WEAK DECOLLEMENT i a Gone 3 J orwowcunrerton on =# am oo ao s 10 8 BLACK RIVER Git (locally weak) eos eee sr ea ke z w DEKMANTOWN an STRONG Bw =e CAMBRIAN. a 2 ORDOVICIAN ° ConococneaGue Fu, 53, (locally weak) LITHOTECTONIG unt x10N 1 BEAN 14 ELxBROOK Fat StRONG a L ‘CAMBRIAN a ~~ SS ar + 167 WAYNESBORO FM a rey —— WEAK DECOLLEMENT Swany 00% on ZONE se Warne s080 Fa a UNNAMED 00L Lowen ORDOVICIAN?) aLocK 204 Figure 2—Subsurface stratigraphy in the study area, Interval velocities, generalized from sonic data in the study area, reflect the relative mechanical strengths and major lithotectonic subdivisions in the detached Paleozoic cover (after Wilson, 1989b). Two-way traveltimes through the sect Broad Top thrust sheet along the length of the Nitany anticlinorium, Line L1 Seismic profiles from both Halliburton (Figure 4) and Lauren Geophysical Services (Figure 6) are avail- able along this line. The Lauren line is migrated, and tion are also shown. the arrival times on this line are approximately 0.35 s greater than those on the Halliburton line because of differences in the datum elevation and datum velocity used to make elevation corrections, Parts of the data collected along strike have been edited out of the data In the Broad Top synclinorium (Figures 1, 3), a high amplitude reflection at approximately 0.7 s (Figure 4) and 1.1 s (Figure 6) correlates with the top of the Devonian Oriskany Sandstone, Structural relief be:Wilson and Shumaker 1313 eeu DUCKWORTH WELL Hampsnire Maryiand West viegna mee be Bottom TE patictnal Ane Devoran Oriskany ndstone Outerap ZA <0 [2 seis tine NtaANy ANTICLINORIOM Figure 3—Scismic lines (11, L2, 13, and SL.) are located on a geologic map of the area. Structural cross sections 1 through 7 (shown in Figure 10) discussed in this study are located along with the Petersburg and Parsons cross- strike structural discontinuities (CSD).1314 Broad Top Thrust Sheet ‘SOUTHEAST END LONG riage U1 (HALLIBURTON) aRoaD roP: SYNCLINORIOM —~ NORTHWEST END L1 (HALIBURTON) PROJECTED ‘urcRar ccasTuc mT, eet Figure 4—Line L1 (Halliburton Geophysical Services Inc.) crosses the entire width of the Nittany anticlinorium. Projected outcrop of the Trenton Group (top of the Cambrian-Ordovician lithotectonic unit) is noted across the Wills Mountain anticline. TUS tween the Long Ridge and adjacent Broad Top syncli- norium is approximately 8700 fe (2650 m) on the basis of surface exposures along the Long Ridge anticline and sonic-log-derived estimates of depth to the Oris kany Sandstone in the synclinorium. The relatively high-amplitude reflection from the top of the Cambrian-Ordovician lithotectoni¢ unit at approximately 1.4 s (Figures 4, 5) and 1.75 s (Figure 6) in the Broad Top synclinorium (Figures 1, 3) is asso ated with a large change of impedance across the Mar- tinsburg Formation and Trenton Group contact (igure 2). The reflection from the base of the Cambrian- Ordovician lithotectonic unit (top of the Cambrian Waynesboro Formation, Figure 2) arrives at approxi mately 2.15 s (Figures 4, 5) and 2.5 s (Figure 6) ne the top of a band of high-amplitude reflections, Based on the two-way interval traveltime of 0.75 s and aver: age velocity through the unit of 22,300 ft/s (6800 m/s) top of upper sheet (Martinsburg/Trenton reflection). IDZ. = inter-sheet detachment zone. BLS ~ base of lower sheet (Waynesboro and sub-Waynesboro reflections). derived from a velocity survey of the Shell 1 Duck- worth well (Figures 2, 3), the thickness of the lithotec tonic unit is estimated to be approximately 8360 ft (2550 m). Reflections defining the Trenton-to-Waynes- boro interval rise toward the northwest out of the Broad Top synclinorium (Figures 4, 6) across a ramp to an upper flat beneath the Long Ridge anticline (Figures 4-6). Beyond the Long Ridge anticline, the top of the upper sheet (TUS in Figures 4-0) or Martinsburg/Tren- on reflection arrives at approximately 0.55 5 (Figures 4, 5) and 0.85 s (Figure 6) beneath the Middle Mountain syacline. The Halliburton line (Figures 4, 5) continues across the anticlinorium northwest of the Wills Mountain anti- cline, whereas the Lauren line (Figure 6) swings south- westward along strike before continuing across Wills Mountain (not shown). Reflections from the underlying and nearly flat footwall rocks, although disrupted by‘Wilson and Shumaker 1315 SOUTHEAST END L1 nw Long aDGE BROKD TOP syncunonum ——e e ° ne oniskany ss we bs a oP 5% SS ee vewooiry PULLUP 2S SS=== SSeS — WaYRESBORO AND OEEPER REFLEC TIONS ae PRovecTED ‘OUTCROP Ss WaLS PROUECTED MT. “OUTOROP at NORTHWEST END L1 WOLE mr. — CASTLE Mr. + — oniskany exeosuae SECONDS \WANESBORO AND DEEPER REFLECTIONS. Figure 5—Interpreted line drawing representation of line L1. See caption for Figure 4, €co = Reflection from the ‘Cambrian Conococheague Formation (see Figure 3). noise, can be followed from the ramp across the anti clinorium (Figures 4, 5). A reduction of arrival time of approximately 0.3 s occurs for the reflections from the base of the Cambrian-Ordovician sequence northwest- ward across the ramp beneath the Long Ridge anticline (Figures 4-6). Ray-trace model studies presented by Wilson (1989b) show that the arrival-time delays in this area are accounted for by higher average veloci- ties in the duplicated carbonate rocks across the anti- clinorium. ‘The observed variability in traveltimes from the basal reflection interval across the anticlinorium north- west of the Long Ridge anticline relates to structural features in the upper block and inter-sheet detachment zone (IDZ). Two-way travehtime through the duplicated Cambrian-Ordovician formations between Wills Moun- tain and Long Ridge anticlines is approximately 1.3 s, ‘or 0.2 5 less than expected based on the two-way trav- chime measured through the sequence in the Broad Top synclinorium, This corresponds to approximately 2230 fe (680 m) of missing section, This thickness corre- sponds well with the thickness of the faulted interval encountered by the Exxon 1 Bean well (Figures 2, 3) across the base of the Broad Top sheet along strike to the north (Wilson, 1989b). Similar variability of travel- times through the duplicated Cambrian-Ordovician sec- tion is observed on many of the lines in the area and is, interpreted to result from tectonic removal or addition of section during thrust sheet emplacement (Wilson. 1989b). Missing sedimentary section, observed between, the Wills Mountain and Long Ridge anticlines, permits surface synclinal structures to be deeper than expected based on simple duplication of the Cambrian-Orclovi- cian sequence. The missing section may have heen incorporated into the frontal parts of the Broad Top thrust sheet, Farther to the northwest, beneath the Wills Mountain anticline, arrival times in the lower sheet are reduced by an additional 200 ms (Figure 4). Model studies presented by Wilson (1989b) show that these traveliime reductions can be attributed to tectonic thick1316 Broad Top Thrust Sheet LONG AGE SOUTHEAST END L1 nw MOOLE (LAUREN) MOUNTAIN LONG ADGe BROAD TOP eI — = SYNCLINORUM ° ° ee onic N b vetocay PULP WAeNESBORO AND ‘OEEPER REFLECTIONS BASE Figure 6—Line L1 (Lauren Geophysical Services) duplicates the southeastern portion of the Halliburton line (Figure 4), The section is migrated. Line drawing representation of reflections from the Cambrian-Ordovician intervals is also shown, ening of the high-velocity carbonate intervals in the core of the anticline, Alternative interpretations (Perry, 1971, 1978; Mitra, 1986; Kulander and Dean, 1986) terminate the Broad Top thrust sheet northwest of the Long Ridge an replacing this thrust sheet with a series of horses. Such interpretations are not consistent with the nearly hori zontal reflectors observed in the lower sequence (Fig- ures 4-6). If additional horse blocks were present, one would expect to see east-dipping reflectors associated with a ramp similar (0 those occurring beneath the Long Ridge anticline. Likewise, one would expect to see west-dipping reflectors associated with the termina- tion of the upper sheet. Such structures in the high- velocity Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate interval would be accompanied by velocity anomalies in reflections from the basal detachment interval. None of these fea tures are observed, and reflectors are sufficiently con tinuous to show that the lower plate is essentially undeformed with the exception of a late stage fault that cuts through the ramp beneath the Long Ridge anticline on the southeast end of the anticlinorium (Figure 6). Line 12 Lauren's line 2 lies approximately 10 mi (16 km) northeast of line 1 Figure 3) and crosses the Long Ridge antidine and Middle Mountain syncline, Two-way trav= eltime through the unduplicated sequence in the Broad Top synclinorium to the southeast is approximat 0.75 s, Just as with line 1 discussed above, y time through the duplicated Cambrian-Ordovician se quence beneath the Middle Mountain syncline (he- tween the Cave Mountain and Elkhorn Mountain anti lines of Figure 3) is only 1.3 s, 0.2 s less than expectedTEISL) woo. wT, — ‘Wilson and Shumaker 1317 0 Nw MooLE Mi {ONG AGE a BROAD TOP rea) —\— + SYNCLNORUM —e SE Tus =e Nae ewan = DEEPER REFLECTIONS Figure 7—Line 12 (Lauren Geophysical Services) is migrated and crosses the southeastern two-thirds of the Nittany anticlinorium. T + top of Cambrian-Ordovician lithotectonic unit. As with line 1, the missing section may have been incorporated into the distal portions of the Broad Top thrust sheet, Lack of inclined reflectors in the lower, Cambrian-Ordovician unit associated with a ramp ind cate that the variation in traveltimes to the base of the lower sheet are, as with line 1, related only to structure of the upper sheet. The only significant lower sheet structure observed in larger scale displays of line 2 consists of a small fault observed in the core of the Long Ridge anticline, which appears to rise out of the lower sheet through the ramp. As with line 1 (Figure 6), this structure probably developed after the em placement of the Broad Top thrust sheet. Aside from this, the lower sheet extends nearly undeformed across that part of the Nittany anticlinorium shown in this section, Within the upper sheet, the southeast limb of a fold is observed on the far left or northwest end of the line along the southeast limb of the Cave Mountain anticline (Figure 3) Line 13 Line 3 is located approximately 14 mi (22 km) north- cast of line 2 (Figure 3). Part of the line southeast of the Wills Mountain anticline is migrated; the northwest end. is unmigeated. A segment of the data collected along strike of the Broad Top anticline was edited out of the display. Line 3 runs along the Petersburg cross-strike structural discontinuity (CSD) (Sites, 1978; Wheeler, 1980) and crosses the anticlinorium through areas, where major surface structures terminate. The Middle Mountain syncline (Figure 7, and between the Cave Mountain and Elkhom Mountain anticlines of Figure 3), for instance, bends and terminates along the CSD, and is replaced to the northeast along strike across the CSD. by the Patterson Creek Mountain anticline. Southeast, the Long Ridge, or Elkhorn Mountain anticline as it called in this area, bends to the northeast and plunges into the Broad Top synclinorium. It is replaced along1318 Broad Top Thrust Sheet hn muse seororo rea) aT aap 108 snoAo TOP ge e = “* LAdheN Ue nt epee za S28 a ae Figure $—Line 13 (Lauren Geophysical Services) crosses the entire width of the Nittany anticlinorium along the Petersburg CSD. The southeastern portion of the line has been migrated. 7 LAUREN STRIKE LINE (St) reverse Figure 9—The strike line (SL) (Lauren Geophysical Services) runs along the length of the Nittany anticlinorium and ties with lines 11, 12, and 13. The line is migrated. It crosses the Parsons CSD, and its northeast end is within the Petersburg CSD.strike by the Broad Top anticline on the southeast end of the anticlinorium. This seismic line passes through the saddle between this and other structural termina- tions across the CSD that are exposed in Silurian and Devonian formations. As with line 1, this line crosses the entire breadth of the Nittany antielinorium, ‘Two-way (raveltime through the Cambrian-Ordovi- cian sequence in the Broad Top synclinorium is approximately 0.75 s, and two-way times through the duplicated Cambrian’Ordovician sequence across the anticlinorium are approximately 1.3 5, similar to those observed to the southwest. Waynesboro and deeper reflections show a 0.3 5 decrease of arrival time (veloci- ty anomaly) across the ramp, with further decrease ‘occurring to the northwest beneath the Wills Mountain, anticline, Otherwise, there is less variation in the veloc- ity anomalies across the anticlinorium along this line than along line 1 to the southwest, indicating a lack of significant upper sheet structure. small structure in the upper sheet occurs beneath the Patterson Creek Mountain anticline. Cambrian-Ordovician involvement in the core of this structure is less significant than that interpreted from seismic and gravity data to the north, (Wilson, 19894, b). There is also a conspicuous lack of Cambrian-Ordovician involvement in the core of the Broad Top anticline compared to that observed in the core of the Elkhorn Mountain and Long Ridge anti- lines on lines 1 and 2 to the southwest. As with lines 1 and 2, the pattern of reflections and associated velocity anomalies on line 3 are consistent with the presence of a single thrust sheet extending across the entire width of the anticlinorium, Strike Line SL ‘This strike line is migrated and ties to each of the three dip lines as noted in Figure 3. The line is particu- larly important because it establishes continuity of the upper sheet along the length of the anticlinorium and provides additional inter-sheet detail. Continuation of this strike line north and south of the segment shown here reveals that the Broad Top thrust sheet extends along the length of the Nittany anticlinorium for at least 100 mi (160 km). ‘The strike line runs along the southeast limbs of the Wills Mountain and Cave Mountain anticlines (Figure 3). Computed thickness of the duplicated Cambrian Ordovician sequence at the tie points with dip lines L1 (Figures 4-6), 12 (Figure 7), and 13 Figure 8) are 1300 ft (90 m), 2100 ft (640 m), and 2500 ft (760 m) less, respectively, than expected based on the single sheet thicknesses measured to the southeast in the Broad Top synclinorium along these three lines. These defi- ciencies indicate that some loss or tectonic removal of section has occurred. Considerable differences in the two-way interval transit times through the duplicated Cambrian-Ordovician sequence are also observed Wilson and Shumaker 1319 along the strike line (Figure 9). Computed thickness variations range from a minimum double thickness of approximately 14,000 ft (4270 m) toa maximum of 15,900 ft (4850 m), ‘The duplicated thickness of the Cambrian-Ordo cian lithotectonic unit is relatively thin in the central portion of the line. Lens-shaped remnants of nearly complete section can be observed south of tie lines 2 and 3 in the southwest central and northeastern ends of the line (Figure 9). The axis of the Middle Mountain syncline parallels the strike line to the southeast. The deepest part of the Middle Mountain syncline lies southeast of this strike line and across strike from this, thinned area, Surface mapping along the Middle Mountain syncline (Wilson, 1987) reveals a down- warping or drop in structural level of nearly 2800 ft (850 m) northeast along the axis of the Middie Moun- tain syncline in this area. This drop in structural level ‘occurs over the lens-shaped remnant section observed. on the strike line southwest of line 2 Ccomplete sec tion" on Figure 9) and coincides with the surface ex pression of the Parsons CSD (Figures 1, 3). The lens- shaped remnant of section observed on the northeast end of the line lies near another major CSD, known as the Petersburg CSD (Sites, 1978; Wheeler, 1980), Changes of double sheet thickness produced by vari- able tectonic removal of section from the inter-sheet detachment zone are clearly reflected in the overiying Silurian-Devonian lithotectonie unit The thinning of the duplicated section observed along the strike line indicates that the deep synclines within the Nittany anticlinorium (Middle Mountain and Bedford synclines) can be accommodated by tectonic thinning of the duplicated sequence in the inter-sheet detachment zone. The distribution of these lens- shaped remnants of nearly complete section may also control the locations of the Parsons and Petersburg. csDs. REVISED STRUCTURAL INTERPRETATION Geologic cross sections along the length of the Nit- tany anticlinorium are presented in Figure 10. The con- figuration of the Cambrian-Ordovician sequence is styl- ized and based on the interpretations of the seismic lines made available for this study, The three-dimen- sional configuration of the Cambrian-Ordovician litho tectonic unit in the Valley and Ridge and Plateau provinces is represented in the block diagram of Figure 11. The main differences between the interpretation presented here and our earlier interpretation (Wilson and Shumaker, 1988) include extension of the Broad Top thrust sheet along the length of the Nittany antil norium in this area, and tectonic thinning and thicken- ing of the duplicated Cambrian-Ordovician lithotecton- ic unit within an inter-sheet detachment zone. As in previous interpretations of the area (Gwinn, 1964;1320 Broad Top Thrust Sheet Perry, 1971, 1978; Jacobeen and Kanes, 1975; Kulander and Dean, 1986; Wilson and Shumaker, 1988), Cambri- an-Ordovician horses are interpreted to underlie all first-order surface folds. These horses do not rise out of basal detachment thrust in the Waynesboro Forma- tion, however, but rise into the cores of these structures out of a roof thrust or inter-sheet detachment zone along the base of the Broad Top thrust sheet. The presence of the sheet along the length of the anticlinorium in this area reduces the variation of short- ‘ening along strike across the Valley and Ridge province reported by Wilson and Shumaker (1988), Bed-length shortening along sections 1 through 7 and along con- tinuations of these sections across the Valley and Ridge (not shown) are tabulated in Table 1. Based on the revised along-strike-shortening variations presented here, the southem part of the central Appalachians is subdivided into two areas rather than three (Wilson and Shumaker, 1988): the Warm Springs (WS) and the Cacapon Mountain-Adams Run (CMAR) areas (Figure UD. Shortening of the Cambrian-Ordovician lithotec- tonic unit between the Little North Mountain fault (LNMF) and the Allegheny structural front (ASF) in- creases from approximately 34% in the WS area to 42% in the CMAR area. This difference of shortening is relat- ed primarily to termination of the Bergton-Crab Run and Adams Run anticlines between sections 6 and 7 on the block diagram (Figure 11), ‘The shortening transition zone between the CMAR and WS areas (Figure 11) coincides with the Parsons CSD (Figures 1, 3, 9; Table 1). Although the Parsons CSD is expressed in the shallower Silurian-Devonian lithotectonic unit across the Nittany anticlinorium, extensive discontinuity within the Cambrian- Ordovi- cian lithotectonic unit across the anticlinorium is, absent, The seismic strike line (Figure 9) does, howev- er, reveal the presence of a lens-shaped remnant of thicker section in the inter-sheet detachment zone along the southwestern border of the Parsons CSD. The interrelationship between Cambrian-Ordovician structure and the Petersburg CSD to the northeast (Fig tures 1, 3), observed in the overlying Silurian-Devonian lithotectonic unit, is also minor (Figures 9, 11). Howev- er, as with the Parsons CSD, the Petersburg CSD is bor- dered by another lens-shaped remnant of thicker sec- tion in the inter-sheet detachment zone (Figure 9). In addition to this Cambrian-Ordovician feature, we sug- gest that the Wills Mountain anticline plunges and bends across the Parsons CSD as part of a fault transfer zone in the Broad Top thrust sheet (sections 4 and 5 in Figures 10, 11), This interpretation is consistent with the surface geology (Cardwell et al,, 1968) and unpublished 3-D gravity calculations over transfer-zone density mod: ls. The presence of lens-shaped regions of thicker see- tion along the CSD’s borders indicates that tectonic thickening and thinning of the duplicated Cambrian- Ordovician sequence may play a role in the develop- ‘ment of CSDs in the overlying lithotectonic units. We also note that fault-tip displacement along the leading edge of the Broad Top thrust rises from 17 to 23 km (10-14 mi) across sections 7 10 4 and drops again to 17 km (10 mi) across section 1 of Figure 11 However, measured shortening across the Appalachian Plateau northwest of the Broad Top thrust is generally only 3-4 km (2-2.5 mi), so that there is a 13-19 km (8-12 mi) discrepancy between displacement transfer along the leading edge of the Broad Top thrust and measured shortening in the Appalachian Plateau. In our earlier interpretation, this discrepancy was con- fined to the region of the Appalachian Plateau north- ‘east of the Parsons and Petersburg CSDs. Based on that interpretation, we (Wilson and Shumaker, 1988) con- cluded that Appalachian Plateau folds with relief greater than 240 m (800 f) (Figure 1) northeast of the Parsons CSD extended sin additional 32 mi (20 km) northwest in response to increased shortening of the Broad Top thrust sheet across this CSD. We also con- cluded that the triangle zone along the leading edge of the thrust was more intensely deformed northeast of the Parsons and Petersburg CSDs, In our revised interpretation, measured shortening differences along the anticlinorium occur primarily across the Parsons CSD, and have been reduced to approximately 8 (Table 1), It is likely, therefore, that the large changes in the foreland extent of plateau folds are a function of other factors, such as the distr: bution of the Silurian Salina salt (Appalachian Plateau equivalent to the Tonoloway, Wills Creek, and Will- iamsport formations of Figure 2) noted by Rodgers (1963), in addition to the change in shortening noted across the CSD. CONCLUSIONS Interpretations of several seismic lines across the Valley and Ridge province in West Virginia and Virginia reveal that a blind thrust in the Cambrian-Ordovician lithotectonic unit extends across the width of the Nit- {any anticlinorium along its length in West Virginia and Virginia, The average fault-tip displacement along this, thrust (the Broad Top thrust) is approximately 12.5 mi (20 km). This displacement is transferred into the shal- lower, Upper Ordovician through Pennsylvanian sec- tion beneath the Appalachian Plateau and is largely responsible for the development of both the triangle zone structures at the distal end of the thrust sheet and the first-order folds of the Plateau province to the north- west In addition to the existence of the thrust sheet, we note the following (1) Although the Broad Top thrust sheet is continu- ous along the length of the Nittany anticlinorium, sig nificant variations of bedL-length shortening are still pre sent along strike in the Valley and Ridge province of West Virginia and Virginia. Based on these shortening,1321 Wilson and Shumaker “€ ami Uo UMoYS aze suOEDO] WORDDS “eae (U6R6T) BOSAL Aq porwdsosd asoup wosy postaas aze Z YBTON 1 Buoye umnysOURS S805—O1 aunty asnsnp do peosg > | NOWOaS ZNoWoas e NOLLO3S YNOWO3S — S NOILOSS.1322 Broad Top Thrust Sheet Figure 11—Block diagram of the Cambrian-Ordovician lithotectonic unit in the central Appalachians of West Vir- ginia and Virginia. Structures in the Little North Mountain thrust sheet are not represented (see Wilson and Shu- ‘maker, 1988). The location of the Little North Mountain fault (LNMF) is projected onto the lower sheet. Segments of the block diagram corresponding to the cross sections of Figure 10 are labeled along the Wills Mountain anticline. ASF = Allegheny structural front, BT = Broad Top, BCR = Bergton Crab Run, CMAR, Cacapon Mountain-Adams Run, GY = Great Valley, NM = North Mountain, WC = Whip Cove, WS = Warm Springs. variations, the southern part of the central Appalachian Valley and Ridge province can be divided into two structural subdivisions: the Warm Springs and Cacapon, Mountain~Adams Run areas (Figure 11). Valley and Ridge shortening increases from approximately of 34% in the Warm Springs area in the southern end of the central Appalachians to approximately 42% in the Cacapon Mountain-Adams Run area. The shortening ansition zone between these Wo areas contains the Parsons CSD. The difference in shortening of the Cam- brian-Ordovician lithotectonic unit between these two areas is associated primarily with terminations of Cam- brian-Ordovician structures between the Great Valley and the Nittany antictinorium (Figures 1, 11). (2) The removal of extensive stratigraphic section in an inter sheet detachment zone indicates that the Cam- brian-Ordovician sequence, especially when duplicated, cannot be represented simply as a brittle or strong litho: tectonic unit, Structurally controlled thickness variations within the unit in both sirike and dip directions should be considered during cross-section construction. This, consideration may solve space problems encountered in cross-sectional representations of these detached structures, Regional-scale balancing of this unit should ‘employ constant volume rather than constant thickness constraints for cross-section construction (3) Cambrian-Orcovician structures associated with variable tectonic thinning of the intersheet detachment zone are associated with structural features in the over- lying lithotectonic units, Further study is required to determine whether these structures predate, postdate, ot developed coevally with the detachment of shallow: ef lithotectonic units, These inter-sheet structures occur along CSDs in the overlying Silurian-Devonian lithotec- tonic unit. () Because seismic data show that there are no major faults in the lower sheet of the Cambrian-Ordovi- cian lithotectonie unit, we suggest in our block diagram, (Figure 11) that the Petersburg CSD in the Valley and Ridge province (Sites, 1978; Wheeler, 1980) is in part related to the surface expression of a fault transfer zone in the Broad Top thrust sheet rather than the result of withdrawal of the sheet south of the CSD (Wilson and Shumaker, 1988), This transfer zone may be reflectedTable 1. Bed-Length Shortening INME Nitany Structural Anticlinorium —Faul-Tip Front Shorening? Displacement Shortening Section) km) (8) Ateat 1 6 r 0 MAR 46 2 B MAR 3 4 2 8 MAR 4 a 23 2 OMAR 45 a 2 MAR 6 18 18 4B MAR Transition Zone (Parsons CSD) 7 2 ” 3 ws “Bed-engin shortening and aulttp asplacement ofthe Broae Top Shrust across the Niteny arisinosum was measured from the satons 1 Figure 10 “"Bed.length shortening across the Vallay and Ridge trom the Lite Norn outta Faull (LMF) to the Allegheny sructra rot are fovea tram those presents! by Wisos and Shumaker (1988), sing the stuctra Interpretations aces the Nitany encom shown in Figure 10. “CMAR = Cacapon Mounlas-Adams Run, WS = Warm Spee, by the drop in structural relief of the Wills Mountain anticline southwest to northeast into the CSD, and by the northwestward bend in the axis of this anticline northeast of the CSD (Figures 3, 1D. Revisions of the structural framework of the region. suggest new strategies for oil and gas exploration of the area. The presence of the Broad Top thrust sheet south, of the Petersburg CSD bodes well for extension of exist- ing Devonian Oriskany production in the triangle zone along the leading edge of the sheet. The abrupt change in tectonic transport across the Petersburg CSD suggest- ed in our previous interpretation (Wilson and Shumak- et, 1988) brought into question the amount of shorten- ing and deformation anticipated in the triangle zone south of the Petersburg CSD. Because seismic data pre- sented in this paper indicate that the amount of d placement transferred into the triangle zone remains, nearly the same, there is little reason to expect any interruption or change in the number of potential strac- tural traps in that zone along strike to the south of exist- ing Oriskany production north of the Petersburg CSD. Given that structures within the Broad Top thrust sheet are interrupted along strike only by a transfer zone along the Petersburg CSD and that wells have already drilled on structural closures at the leading edge of the thrust on either side of the transfer zone, Wilson and Shumaker 1323, farther tests along individual horses in the Broad Top thrust sheet would appear to be high-risk ventures. However. a distinctly different structural trap may exi as the result of the differential tectonic thinning that ‘occurs in the inter-sheet detachment zone, where clo- sure may be present over structural highs associated with remnant section. The distribution of such inter- sheet closures may be predictable based on the observed association between lens-shaped remnant section and surface cross-strike structural discontinu- ities. We anticipate that fracture porosity may also have formed in association with structures in the inter-sheet detachment zone. REFERENCES CITED Cardwell. B., R. 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