Applications of sequence stratigraphy to Pennsylvanian strata in the Illinois Basin

Sequence stratigraphy concepts have been applied previously to the interpretation of Pennsylvanian strata in the Illinois Basin with the use of the 'cycle' by J.A. Udden in 1912 and the cyclothem by H. Wanless and J. Weller in 1932. The unconformity-bounded cyclothem was recognized in Pennsylvanian strata throughout the basin and is a small-scale version of the cratonic sequence of L.L. Sloss. Recent applications indicate that the transgressive-regressive unit, a genetic succession bounded by marine-flooding surfaces, is a more practical stratigraphic unit that has applications for stratigraphic control, structural control, sedimentology, and hydrostratigraphy. Transgressive-regressive units conveniently fit within a sequence stratigraphic framework.