Analysis of Upper Carboniferous (Virgilian, Wabaunsee Group) strata cropping out in the North American Midcontinent suggests a hierarchy of stratigraphic forcing. Fourth-order depositional sequences from the Wabaunsee Group represent the latest highstand sequence sets of a composite third-order sequence (1–10 m.y.) that encompasses strata from the Douglas, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Admire Groups.

The composite third-order sequence (110 m.y.) is composed of 15 composite fourth-order depositional sequences (0.1–1 m.y.). The composite fourth-order depositional sequences of the Wabaunsee Group contain between two and three fifth-order cycles (0.01–0.1 m.y.). These fifth-order cycles form retrogradational transgressive system tracks and aggradational to progradational highstand-system tracks.

Lowstand units are composed of incised valley-fill deposits or laterally extensive paleosols. The fifth-order cycles are separated by poorly developed, laterally discontinuous paleosols or marginal-marine units. These poorly developed paleosols are expressed as coals, coaly shales, or underclays.