Sequence Stratigraphy and Geochemistry of The
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Report of Investigations 2007-1 SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE UPPER LOWER THROUGH UPPER TRIASSIC OF NORTHERN ALASKA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PALEOREDOX HISTORY, SOURCE ROCK ACCUMULATION, AND PALEOCEANOGRAPHY by Landon N. Kelly, Michael T. Whalen, Christopher A. McRoberts, Emily Hopkin, and Carla Susanne Tomsich ASK AL A G N S E Y O E L O V G R U IC S A L L A A N SIC D GEOPHY Published by STATE OF ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL & GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS 2007 Report of Investigations 2007-1 SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE UPPER LOWER THROUGH UPPER TRIASSIC OF NORTHERN ALASKA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PALEOREDOX HISTORY, SOURCE ROCK ACCUMULATION, AND PALEOCEANOGRAPHY by Landon N. Kelly, Michael T. Whalen, Christopher A. McRoberts, Emily Hopkin, and Carla Susanne Tomsich 2007 This DGGS Report of Investigations is a final report of scientific research. It has received technical review and may be cited as an agency publication. STATE OF ALASKA Sarah Palin, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Tom Irwin, Commissioner DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL & GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS Robert F. Swenson, State Geologist and Acting Director Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys publications can be inspected at the following locations. Address mail orders to the Fairbanks office. Alaska Division of Geological University of Alaska Anchorage Library & Geophysical Surveys 3211 Providence Drive 3354 College Road Anchorage, Alaska 99508 Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3707 Elmer E. Rasmuson Library Alaska Resource Library University of Alaska Fairbanks 3150 C Street, Suite 100 Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-1005 Anchorage, Alaska 99503 Alaska State Library State Office Building, 8th Floor 333 Willoughby Avenue Juneau, Alaska 99811-0571 This publication released by the Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys was produced and printed in Fairbanks, Alaska at a cost of $5.00 per copy. Publication is required by Alaska Statute 41, “to determine the potential of Alaskan land for production of metals, minerals, fuels, and geothermal resources; the location and supplies of groundwater and construction materials; the potential geologic hazards to buildings, roads, bridges, and other installations and structures; and shall conduct such other surveys and investigations as will advance knowledge of the geology of Alaska.” ii CONTENTS Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Regional Geology ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Triassic Stratigraphy ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Subsurface ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Northeastern Brooks Range ...................................................................................................................... 4 North-central Brooks Range ..................................................................................................................... 7 Previous Sequence Stratigraphic Models................................................................................................................ 7 Outcrop Locations ................................................................................................................................................... 8 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................... 8 Field Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Lithologic Correlation ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Ichnofabric Index ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Biostratigraphic Correlation ............................................................................................................................ 9 Palynology ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 Inorganic Geochemistry................................................................................................................................... 12 Organic Geochemistry ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Facies Descriptions and Formation Subdivisions ................................................................................................... 13 Facies Descriptions .......................................................................................................................................... 13 Facies 1 Chert Pebble Conglomerate ....................................................................................................... 13 Facies 2 Medium Sandstone ..................................................................................................................... 13 Facies 3 Argillaceous Fine Sandstone ...................................................................................................... 13 Facies 4 Siltstone ...................................................................................................................................... 13 Facies 5 Mudstone/Shale .......................................................................................................................... 14 Facies 6 Wackestone................................................................................................................................. 14 Facies 7 Silty/Argillaceous Limestone or Dolostone ............................................................................... 14 Facies 8 Phosphatic Wackestone and Packstone...................................................................................... 14 Facies 9 Phosphatic Siltstone and Fine Sandstone................................................................................... 14 Facies 10 Pebbly Phosphorite .................................................................................................................. 17 Facies 11 Nodular Phosphorite ................................................................................................................ 17 Facies 12 Sandy Phosphorite Facies ........................................................................................................ 17 Facies 13 Chert ......................................................................................................................................... 17 Facies 14 Porcelanite................................................................................................................................ 17 Subdivisions of the Shublik and Otuk Formations .......................................................................................... 17 Shublik Formation Subsurface Zonal Subdivisions .................................................................................17 Subdivisions of the Otuk Formation ........................................................................................................ 18 Facies Associations and Interpretations .................................................................................................................. 18 Siliciclastic Retrogradational Facies Association ........................................................................................... 22 Siliciclastic, Phosphatic Progradational Facies Association ........................................................................... 22 Mixed Siliciclastic, Carbonate, Phosphatic Retrogradational Facies Association ......................................... 22 Carbonate, Phosphatic Progradational Facies Association ............................................................................. 22 Siliciclastic, Phosphatic Retrogradational Facies Association........................................................................ 23 Siliciclastic, Carbonate, Phosphatic Progradational Facies Association ........................................................ 23 Siliciclastic, Siliceous Retrogradational Facies Association........................................................................... 23 Siliciclastic, Siliceous Progradational Facies Association .............................................................................. 24 Carbonate Progradational Facies Association ................................................................................................. 24 Sequence Stratigraphy ............................................................................................................................................. 24 Sequences and Systems Tracts ........................................................................................................................ 24 Sequence Stratigraphic