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Esopus Formation
Stratigraphic range: Lower Devonian
Outcrop of Esopus Shale along New York Thruway in Catskill, New York displaying characteristic cleavage.
Type	Geologic formation
Unit of	Tristates Group
Underlies	Carlisle Formation
Overlies	Oriskany Formation
Lithology
Primary	Siltstone
Other	Shale
Location
Region	Mid-Atlantic
Country	United States
Type section
Named for	Esopus, New York

Esopus Shale

Description

The Esopus Formation (also known as the Esopus Shale) is a stratigraphic formation of the Tristates Group, named after the village of Esopus, in the town of Kingston, Ulster County, New York. In places outcrops form along the creek of the same name. The formation underlays the Appalachian Basin eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York as far west as Otsego county, and outcrops can be found throughout. . The Esopus Formation consists of medium to dark grey shale and minor fine sandstone of Devonian age. The formation reaches a maximum thicknesses of 300 feet (90 meters). Outcrops display characteristic cleavage in the Hudson Valley and northeast corners of the formation. The term Esopus Formation replaces the former name "Cauda-Galli grit".

Geologic Setting

The Esopus Formation overlies the Oriskany Formation uncomfortably with the grey shale of the Esopus in stark contrast to the coarse sandstone of the Oriskany Formation. The top of the Esopus is gradationaly overlied by the Carlisle Formation. The trace fossil Taonurus and associated burrows, along with occasional brachiopods can be found. In the type are the formation is divided into five members: Eddyville, Highland Mills, Mountainville, Quarry Hill, & Woodbury Creek. Type sections of the members are found near Catskill and Highland Mills along the west side of the New York Thruway.

Cleavage & Dip in the Esopus Formation. Attributted to Dora Kravitz, UPenn, http://www.sas.upenn.edu/earth/geol205/esopus.html

Geologic History

The mud that makes up the the Esopus Formation was deposited in a calm, deepwater basin that developed during the early Acadian Orogeny. The limited fauna and dark color suggest that the basin's bottom waters were limited in oxygen, with fossils limited to Taonaurus and associated burrows.

Economic Potential

The Esopus Formation currently holds no economic value, however the conditions present could trap organic carbon and produce shale gas. Today many roadcuts pass through the Esopus, especially along I-87, NY-199, NY-166, NY-32 and Conrail. These sites are visited by numerous collegiate geology programs.