Oriskany Sandstone Deep Fossil Aquifer — Central Pennsylvania
Deep Devonian Oriskany Sandstone beneath the Appalachian fold belt in central Pennsylvania. Highly fractured sandstone contains fossil water at depth with carbon-14 ages exceeding 30,000 years. The formation is a target for geothermal energy research at Penn State. Big Spring (one of Pennsylvania's largest) may discharge some deep fossil-origin water.
Overview
Deep Devonian Oriskany Sandstone beneath the Appalachian fold belt in central Pennsylvania. Highly fractured sandstone contains fossil water at depth with carbon-14 ages exceeding 30,000 years. The formation is a target for geothermal energy research at Penn State. Big Spring (one of Pennsylvania's largest) may discharge some deep fossil-origin water.
Additional Notes
Pennsylvania DCNR geological survey data. Geothermal research target.
Water Source Data
Water Intelligence Score Breakdown
Total: 73/100Risk Assessment
Source depletion probability
Rights & regulatory exposure
Contamination & ecosystem risk
Geological Intelligence
Formation & aquifer contextVariable porosity — classic aquifer formation
Ancient water, no modern recharge — non-renewable on human timescales
Land Details
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Data Sources & Attribution
Updated Apr 5, 2026Data is sourced from public and authoritative providers. Hi3 Water aggregates, normalizes, and scores records but does not assert ownership of underlying source data. Always verify critical details with the primary source before any decision.