Flysch and Molasse

Research Article| November 01, 1947 FLYSCH AND MOLASSE A. J EARDLEY; A. J EARDLEY UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN; U. S. GEOL. SURVEY, WASHINGTON, D. C. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar MAX G WHITE MAX G WHITE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN; U. S. GEOL. SURVEY, WASHINGTON, D. C. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1947) 58 (11): 979–990. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1947)58[979:FAM]2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 14 Nov 1946 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation A. J EARDLEY, MAX G WHITE; FLYSCH AND MOLASSE. GSA Bulletin 1947;; 58 (11): 979–990. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1947)58[979:FAM]2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract By definition European geologists consider a sequence of limestones, sandstones, and shales, the beds of which are thin, regular, and alternating, and which are deposited in a geosyncline or foredeep shortly before a major orogeny, as the flysch. The waste products that accumulate as a deposit flanking mountains and built in part of the deformed flysch make up the molasse. In field practice the groups of sediments called flysch and molasse, or facies of them, are formations in the American sense. However, the Europeans would not recognize all groups of beds deposited in a geosyncline just before an orogeny as flysch; the beds must possess the proper lithologic and bedding characteristics.Europeans have tacitly tied the variable of lithology and stratification to the variable of orogeny, with attendant difficulties. Originally only the first was denoted, but later the second was emphasized in definition if not in field use. Americans have considered the terms chiefly in their orogenic sense and thereby have called certain sequences flysch that do not fully meet the requirements of European usage.The writers are of the opinion that little is gained by the use of the words; by their application no new fact is told or discovery made. They simply elaborate a conclusion by way of analogy. On the other hand, a possibility of confusion is introduced by the use of the terms, and in America it is best to avoid them. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.