Florida Geological Survey


sediments, overstepping both the Louann and
Werner Formations. Examination of the cross-
section shows that outside the embayment, the
Eagle Mills Formation was never completely
buried by Norphlet sediments (Figure 17). Since
the Eagle Mills apparently was exposed
throughout Norphlet deposition in panhandle
Florida, the author assumes it was a source for
Norphlet sediments. The Eagle Mills in
panhandle Florida was not completely covered
until middle Kimmeridgian time, when anhydrite
of the lower Haynesville Formation completely
covered the embayment.
 Diabase dikes and sills are known to cut Eagle
Mills sediments throughout the Gulf Coast and
are believed to be present in the bottom of the
Sonat Exploration well (Florida permit 590) Scott
et al, 1961; A. Applegate, Florida Geological
Survey, 1986, personal communication). Some
VRFs in the quartzose and red bed Norphlet
facies appear to be diabase. Thus, a
contribution to Norphlet sediments from erosion
of the Eagle Mills appears very likely.


 CONCLUSIONS

 1. Three distinct lithofacies of the Norphlet
 Formation have been identified in panhandle
 Florida: an updip conglomerate, red beds,
 and an uppermost quartzose lithofacies
 (Denkman Sandstone Member).
 2. This study demonstrates that panhandle
 Florida Norphlet sediments are more lithic in
 composition than are Norphlet sediments from
 southern Alabama. Metamorphic rock
 fragments are the most abundant rock
 fragments present within the lithic suite. A
 partially silicified low-rank type of
 metamorphic rock fragment of possible
 argillaceous and/or volcanic origin dominates
 the suite. Volcanic rock fragments are
 present in all samples and are most abundant
 in the south and east, nearest the Pensacola
 Arch. Sedimentary rock fragments account for
 only 4.7 percent of the lithic fraction and are


 most abundant in central Santa Rosa County,
 nearest the Conecuh Arch.
3. Panhandle Florida Norphlet sediments were
 derived from the basement rock of the
 Conecuh Ridge (Talledega Slate Belt) to the
 north and the Pensacola Arch (Piedmont Belt)
 to the south and east. Additionally, sediment
 contribution from the Eagle Mills, Werner, and
 Louann Formations probably was significant.


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