Apparent Depth to the Wilcox Group, Gulf Coast (wlcxdpthg)

The depth to top of the Wilcox Group is contoured from location and top information derived from the Petroleum Information (PI) Wells database. The depth to Wilcox map represents the tops found in the database with the addition of surface geology from USGS maps and field data. The veracity of the PI Wells database is being checked by comparison to published cross sections and geologic maps. Interpretation of the depth to Wilcox and apparent thickness maps along with published measured sections and cross sections indicates that portions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama contain broad areas where a 20 to 40 foot net thickness of lignite and coal occur at shallow depths. The thicker coal zones are attributed to growth faulting or rift zones influencing peat deposition. The depth to Wilcox map shows several areas where dome-like uplifts and bench-like coal-bearing rock are buried to depths less than 5,000 ft.