Loma Linda University TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects 6-2014 Correlation and Paleoenvironments above West T9.3 Tuff, Pisco Formation, Peru Caleb Stanton Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd Part of the Geology Commons Recommended Citation Stanton, Caleb, "Correlation and Paleoenvironments above West T9.3 Tuff, Pisco Formation, Peru" (2014). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 219. http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/219 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects by an authorized administrator of TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY School of Medicine in conjunction with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ____________________ Correlation and Paleoenvironments above West T9.3 Tuff, Pisco Formation, Peru by Caleb Stanton ____________________ A Thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Geology ____________________ June 2014 © 2014 Caleb Stanton All Rights Reserved Each person whose signature appears below certifies that this thesis in his/her opinion is adequate, in scope and quality, as a thesis for the degree Master of Science. , Chairperson Kevin E. Nick, Associate Professor of Earth and Biological Sciences Ronald Nalin, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Earth and Biological Sciences Leonard R. Brand, Chair and Professor of Earth and Biological Sciences iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author is thankful to several people and institutions that collaborated for the success of this research. The department of Earth and Biological Sciences at Loma Linda University provided funds for this project and supported the author with a tuition waiver and stipend for his degree completion. Additional funding came from the Geoscience Research Institute. The committee members Dr. Kevin Nick, Dr. Ronald Nalin and Dr. Leonard Brand were vital. Preparation and organization of this research would not have been possible without the assistance of Dr. Kevin Nick in the field and lab. Dr. Brand and Dr. Nalin were vital in the revision and corrections of drafts of this manuscript. The discussions and teamwork by Dr. Nick, Jankel Coronado, Dan O’Hare and Monte Fleming throughout the process of this research were invaluable. Finally, I would like to thank fellow students for providing an atmosphere and collaborative environment that made this experience worthwhile. To my family and friends, your love and support through this long endeavor has been invaluable and I could not have finished without you. To my beautiful and loving fiancée Julie, I am so thankful for your support and commitment. You have been a source of peace and fulfillment during this long and sometimes arduous process. And finally, I would like to thank God for providing me the opportunity to study Creation and for His gift of insatiable curiosity that has made this process rewarding. iv DEDICATION To my father, who has always believed in me and helped me to persevere. v CONTENT Approval Page .................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv Dedication ............................................................................................................................v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures ......................................................................................................................x List of Abbreviations ....................................................................................................... xiii Abstract ............................................................................................................................ xiv Chapter 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................1 Shelf Sedimentation ...........................................................................................2 Wave-Dominated Coasts .............................................................................2 Tempesite Deposition ........................................................................................4 Phosphogenesis ..................................................................................................4 References Cited ..............................................................................................14 2. High Resolution Correlation and Paleoenvironments of Diatomaceous Siltstones and Sandstone Intervals, Miocene Pisco Formation, Peru ....................16 Abstract ............................................................................................................17 Introduction ......................................................................................................18 Geologic Setting...............................................................................................19 Stratigraphy ......................................................................................................20 Sedimentology .................................................................................................25 Objectives and Significance of the Study ........................................................25 Methods............................................................................................................25 Basis of Correlation .........................................................................................27 Identification of Marker Tuff .....................................................................27 Correlation Based on the Marker Tuff .......................................................27 vi Sedimentology .................................................................................................31 Introduction to the Facies and Sections .....................................................31 Facies ...............................................................................................................31 Introduction to Sandstone Unit: SSvf .........................................................31 Very fine sandstone........................................................................31 DDL .............................................................................................................33 Diatom drapes, laminated mudstone, and sandy siltstone ................................................................................33 SSvf-N3 ........................................................................................................33 Bioturbated, hummocky cross-bedded, and wave-rippled sandstone ..................................................................33 SSvf-N2 ........................................................................................................36 Massive/cross/planar sandstone with minimal bioturbation ....................................................................................36 SSvf-N1 ........................................................................................................36 Massive/cross-bedded/planar sandstone with rip-ups, bioclasts, and minimal bioturbation..................................36 SSvf-N0 ........................................................................................................37 Friable massive sandstone with fluid escape and load structures .........................................................................37 SlD & SlM ...................................................................................................37 Hummocky/swaley cross-bedded & sub- parallel parted diatomaceous siltstone, silty diatomite, and muddy siltstone ......................................................37 Dsl ..............................................................................................................42 Dolomite-cemented diatomaceous siltstone and silty diatomite ..........................................................................42 vii Cmp .............................................................................................................49 Phosphate pebble/fossil conglomerate ...........................................49 Tuff ..............................................................................................................51 Massive tuff with biotite ................................................................51 Introduction to the Sections .............................................................................51 Facies Interpretations .......................................................................................64 Sandstone Unit ...........................................................................................64 Lower shoreface sand bars .............................................................64