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Fluvial Architecture Knowledge Transfer System FAKTS A relational database for quantifying fluvial sedimentary architecture: application to discern spatial and temporal trends in Permian and Jurassic fluvial successions from SE Utah, USA L. Colombera, N.P. Mountney, W.D. McCaffrey - Fluvial Research Group, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK A relational database - the Fluvial Architecture Knowledge Transfer System (FAKTS) - 144 STRATIGRAPHIC CHART FOR THE SOUTHEAST FAKTS DATABASE has been devised as a tool for translating numerical and descriptive data and information CASE STUDIES UTAH REGION about fluvial architecture coming from fieldwork and peer-reviewed literature, from both modern rivers and their ancient counterparts Morrison Formation The database has been employed as an instrument for the in the stratigraphic record. The stratigraphy of preserved ancient successions is translated into the database schema in form of genetic units Modified after Cain (2009) quantitative description of fluvial architecture of the Organ Rock belonging to different scales of observation, nested in a hierarchical fashion. Each order of unit is assigned a different table and each object Sommerville Formation and Kayenta Formations (USA) in order to better characterize km KAYENTA FM. within a table is given a unique numerical identifier that is used to keep track of the relationships between the different objects, both at the Curtis Formation and compare these systems in terms of both their spatial and same scale (transitions) and also across different scales (containment). Each single dataset is split into a series of stratigraphic windows temporal development. Architectural data for the Organ Rock Entrada Sandstone called subsets that are characterized by homogeneous attributes, such as internal and external controls. Thus, the database scheme records Fm. in SE Utah has been derived from work by Cain (2009). San Rafael Gp. all the major features of fluvial architecture, including style of internal organization, geometries, spatial distribution and reciprocal Carmel Formation Sandy Facies Purposely acquired field-derived data from SE Utah for the relationships of genetic units, classifying datasets – either in whole or in part – according to both controlling factors such as climate type and Kayenta Fm. have been integrated with results from 6 other JURASSIC Navajo Sandstone tectonic setting, and context-descriptive characteristics (e.g. channel/river pattern, dominant transport mechanism). Silty Facies works (Miall 1988; Bromley 1991; Luttrell 1993; Stephens 1994; Kayenta Formation North & Taylor 1996; Sanabria 2001) from all over the Colorado Plateau. Wingate Sandstone Glen Canyon Group The Organ Rock Fm. (Leonardian-Artinskian) forms a wedge of 208 coarse-grained fluvial deposits that progressively fine south- Chinle Formation westwards, intertonguing downstream with aeolian strata. Modified after Martin (2000) The Kayenta Fm. (Sinemurian-Toarcian) is a continental TRIASSIC Moenkopi Formation ORGAN ROCK FM. assemblage consisting dominantly of coarse- to fine-grained 245 Flowchart showing the data sandstones, interpreted as a broad alluvial plain (with minor White Rim/De Chelly Sandstone acquisition-entry-query-analysis/use aeolian deposition) representing a more pluvial period in the arid Organ Rock Formation SCALE: 100-103 m workflow that has been followed to climatic context of the Glen Canyon Gp.. o b t a i n t h e q u a n t i t a t i v e Both successions are interpreted as arid or semi-arid terminal Floodplain characterization of fluvial successions fluvial systems, whose internal architecture was apparently Cedar Mesa Sandstone PERMIAN (Kayenta Fm. and Organ Rock Fm.) Cutler Group controlled by climatic cylicity (Sanabria 2001; Cain 2009; Cain & Undivided Channel-complex described in this poster. Cutler Group Mountney 2009; 2011). Halgaito Shale/lower Cutler beds 286 Representation of the main scales of When a significant amount of data is stored in the FAKTS Honaker Trail Formation observation and types of geological database, comparative studies will be mainly conducted – and ANIAN genetic units translated into the synthetic models constructed – on the basis of the boundary V database in the form of tables and conditions of the depositional systems; so, these case studies Modified after Cain (2009) entries respectively. Their dimensions, only serve as examples to show the types of quantitative Paradox Formation Above: maps of the regional PENNSYL qualitative attributes and relative information resulting from data integration (Kayenta Fm.) Hermosa Group distribution of the Organ Rock and spatial arrangement are all taken into and subset comparison (ORF) . of the Kayenta Formations. 320 SCALE: 101-104 m SCALE: 10-1-101 m account by the database schema. D u e t o i t s Proximal region Medial-proximal region Medial region Distal region ORGAN ROCK FM. G- Gmm d o w n s t r e a m N = 1777 N = 1064 N = 2089 N = 320 Gcm Gt termination, the Organ Rock depositional system lends Modified after Cain (2009) itself to the application of FAKTS for the quantification of Gp St SegmentRel. humidity G - proximal to distal variations in facies architecture. In Sp Sr FAKTS, the position (and/or relative distality) of every Sh Sm F - subset can be stored; subsets can then be clustered into groups of relative distality. Proximal to distal changes in the Sd Fl relative proportion of facies units in the Organ Rock Fm. are Fm P E + obtained from logged depositional facies thicknesses. NTG = 0.96 NTG = 0.93 NTG = 0.94 NTG = 0.95 Undefined Gmm, Fl, Fm and P deposits can be considered as non- D - reservoir facies, and net-to-gross (NTG) ratios derived. Organ Rock Fm. facies composition - after log data from Cain 2009 (84 logs) C - On the basis of a climate-driven cyclicity model proposed by Cain (2009) for the Organ Rock Fm., seven stratigraphic segments have been established as clusters of subsets characterized B + by inferred relative changes in system humidity. The dataset includes 22 logs; after log-to-log correlation, each log has been subdivided into subsets corresponding to the seven stratigraphic segments. Proportions of facies units for each stratigraphic segment were obtained from the sum of logged depositional A Undefined Code Depositional facies type facies thicknesses. G- Gravel to boulders – undefined textural and structural properties The facies organization of the stratigraphic segments is obviously characterized by increases in aeolian facies corresponding with S- Sand – undefined textural and structural properties drier episodes, as these facies are used as the main proxies for humidity change. Within the stratigraphic segments corresponding to F- Fines (silt, clay) – undefined textural and structural properties the drying-upward cycle 1 (DUP-1, segments B, C and D) and to the wetting-upward cycle (WUP, segment E), the proportions of Gmm Matrix-supported massive gravel Gmg Matrix supported normally or inversely graded gravel facies that are only fluvial in origin do not show any marked change across the segments. Gci Clast supported inversely graded gravel A substantial change in facies architecture is instead observed between the drying-upward cycle 2 (DUP-2, segments F and G) and Gcm Clast supported massive gravel the underlying deposits: the uppermost part is characterized by a strong reduction in the proportion of in-channel facies and an Gh Horizontally-bedded or imbricated gravel Gt Through cross-stratified gravel increase in the proportion of unconfined-flow facies and soft-sediment deformed deposits, due to changes in the sedimentary style of Gp Planar cross-stratified gravel the medial part of the system. St Through cross-stratified sand 0.53 1.41 4.26 2.07 1.13 3.60 1.41 Sp Planar cross-stratified sand 2.66 2.32 0.21 0.75 ALL FACIES Sr Ripple cross-laminated sand 2.23 1.64 12.21 3.51 13.14 14.46 10.77 15.90 5.11 PROPORTIONS Sh Horizontally laminated sand 2.16 1.03 0.16 23.41 21.80 1.41 21.37 Sl Low-angle cross-bedded sand 24.53 21.50 31.55 25.60 1.54 0.99 Ss Scour-fill sand 38.14 10.79 6.76 0.05 11.71 0.00 Sm Massive or faintly-laminated sand 2.53 2.48 3.52 Sd Soft-sediment deformed sand 14.29 3.04 0.77 0.10 3.97 10.90 Fl Laminated sand, silt and mud 11.86 18.58 36.26 12.10 15.19 14.95 15.71 Fsm Laminated to massive silt and mud 1.91 28.88 F a c i e s 7.38 Fm Massive mud and silt 5.59 2.97 19.19 23.43 12.90 33.19 proportions Fr Fine-grained root bed 14.82 0.81 2.69 11.51 17.82 C Coal or carbonaceous mud 1.81 3.46 within the 7 N = 268 N = 320 N = 201 0.72 0.84 N = 506 N = 234 N = 54 P Palaeosol carbonate N = 289 stratigraphic C ode Architectural element type – geomorphic significance BASE OF TOP OF s e g m e n t s CH Vertically accreting (aggradational) channel (fill) A B C D E F G DA Downstream accreting macroform SUCCESSION SUCCESSION e s t a b l i s h e d LA Laterally accreting macroform 1.68 1.23 0.85 3.24 0.06 2.48 2.57 0.78 1.18 1.28 0.27 1.80 DLA Downstream + laterally accreting or undefined accretion direction macroform 3.47 2.79 2.46 0.19 1.86 0.99 1.80 f r o m t h e 0.13 1.16 3.01 1.78 1.19 SG Sediment gravity flow body 4.91 4.35 3.75 4.50 4.34 1.35 4.10 climate-driven HO Scour hollow fill 5.59 7.70 5.82 4.00 LV Levee 21.12 cyclicity model 19.84 17.41 15.47 AC Abandoned channel (fill) 16.45 25.41 24.75 18.84 22.10 by Cain (2009).