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Redacted for Privacy AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Peter F. Cowell for the degree of Master of Science in Geology presented on June 13, 1986 Title: STRUCTURE AND STRATIGRAPHY OF PART OF THE NORTHERNFISH CREEK RANGE, EUREKA COUNTY, NEVADA Abstract Approved: Redacted for privacy (NJ Low-angle normal (denudational) faults separate thelithostrati- graphic units in the studyarea into three structural packets. Lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic studies indicatethat the structural packets are locally derived.The lowest packet (Ordo- vician packet) is composed of, in ascending order,the Antelope Valley Limestone, Copenhagen Formation, EurekaQuartzite, and the Hanson Creek Formation. The main denudational fault in thearea (MDF) separates the Ordovician packet fromthe overlying Lone Moun- tain Dolomite packet (composed mostly of LoneMountain Dolomite) and Devonian packet. The Devonian packet is composed of, in ascending order, Beacon Peak Dolomite, the Bartine Memberof the McColley Canyon Formation, Sadler Ranch Formation, OxyokeCanyon Sandstone, Sentinel Mountain-Bay State Doloniites undivided,and the Devils Gate Limestone. Unconformably overlying the Sentinel Mountain-Bay State Doloniites undivided and the Devils Gate Limestoneare members of the lower Oligocene Pinto Peak Rhyolite. The Lone Mountain Dolomite packet is separated from the overlying Devonian packet by another denudational fault (LMDDF) that merges with the MDF. A west-dipping high-angle normal fault offsetsthe Lone Mountain Dolomite packet, the LMDDF, and the Devonian packet (including the volcanics). Strat- igraphic offset along this faultis greatest at the center and de- creases toward the ends where itmerges with the MDF; thus the fault is shaped like a shovel. A right-lateral tear fault offsetsthe Lone Mountain Dolomite and Devonianpackets, the LMDDF, and the shovel fault by about 3.25 km. During the Cretaceous, the Ordovicianpacket was folded andan igneous body was emplaced underthe Fish Creek Range. Heat generated from this igneous body causedlow-grade metamorphism in the Ordovi- cian packet. The Lone Mountain Dolomite andDevonian packets were probably detached from theOrdovician packet because theywere not heated or folded. Uplift of the area accompanieddeformation and the emplacement of the igneous body,and prompted initial gravity sliding of the Lone Mountain Dolomitepacket off of the Ordovician packet along the MDF. The Devonian packetwas carried on top of the Lone Mountain Dolomite packet. Igneous activity in the areawas renewed in the early Oligocene. Uplift continued and caused movement of the Devonian packet (including volcanics) off of the LoneMountain Dolomite packet along theLMDDF, and further movement of the Lone Mountain Dolomite packetover the Ordovician packet along the MDF. During this movement the shovelfault formed. Further movement of the upper two structural packetsover the Ordovician packet produced the tear fault. Early Oligocene granite crosscuts theMDF, indica- ting that final emplacement of the upper two structural packetsover the Ordovician packetwas completed during the early Oligocene. Structure and Stratigraphy ofpart of the Northern Fish Creek Range, Eureka County, Nevada by Peter F. Cowell A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for tne the degree of Master of Science Completed June 13, 1986 Commencement June 1987 APPROVED: Redacted for privacy ,,Àio1essor of Geqog,in charge of major Redacted for privacy Jman of eent of Geology Redacted for privacy Dean of GrØte Scho1 Date thesis is presented June 13, 1986 Typed by Peter F. Cowell for Peter F. Cowell ACKNOWL EDG EMENTS This project was funded in partby research grants from the Amerada Hess Corporation, AmocoProduction Company, Marathon Oil Company, Dr. J.G. Johnson, andmy parents. I would like to thank Dr. J.G.Johnson for generously sharing his time and knowledge. Jana Thompson and Claudia Regier helped prepare conodont samples for identification byDr. R.L. Ethington of the University of Missouri-Columbiaand Dr. Gilbert Kiapper of the University of Iowa. Dr. K.F. Oles and Dr. R.D. Lawrencereviewed the thesis and served on the thesiscommittee. Dr. Karen Lund provided insightful discussionson Basin and Range geology. My fellow students at O.S.U. shouldbe especially acknowledged for their support and input. Randy Keller and Greg Strombergpro- vided office facilities. Members of "The J Team" providedencourage- ment in the field and at O.S.U. Dana Willis provided draftingser- vices. Special thanks to Amy "Hog" Hooverfor all her support and input. I would especially like to thankJana Thompson for her sup- port and encouragement. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION........................................................ 1 Purpose.......................................................... I Location and Description......................................... 2 Regional Geologic Setting........................................ 6 Paleozoic Stratigraphic Nomenclature............................. 9 Terminology..................................................... 11 STRATIGRAPHY....................................................... 13 Dunderberg Shale................................................ 13 Description................................................ 13 Thickness.................................................. 13 ........................................................... 14 Windfall Formation.............................................. 14 Description................................................ 14 Thickness and age.......................................... 15 Antelope Valley Limestone....................................... 15 Description................................................ 15 Thickness and contacts..................................... 18 ........................................................19 Copenhagen Formation............................................ 20 Description................................................ 20 Contacts and thickness..................................... 20 ......................................................... 21 Eureka Quartzite................................................ 21 Description................................................ 21 Contacts................................................... 24 Thickness.................................................. 25 ........................................................ 25 Hanson Creek Formation.......................................... 26 Description................................................ 26 Thickness.................................................. 27 ........................................................ 28 Lone Mountain Dolomite.......................................... 28 Description................................................ 28 Contacts................................................... 31 Thickness.................................................. 32 ..................................................... 32 Beacon Peak Dolomite............................................ 33 Description................................................ 33 Thickness and contacts..................................... 36 ........................................................ 36 McColley Canyon Formation .37 Bartine Member............................................. 37 Coils Creek Member......................................... 38 Contacts................................................... 39 Thickness.................................................. 40 .................................................. 40 Sadler Ranch Formation.......................................... 41 Description................................................ 41 Thickness and contacts..................................... 42 ..................................................... 43 Oxyoke Canyon Sandstone......................................... 43 Description................................................ 43 Contacts................................................... 46 Thickness.................................................. 47 .................................................. 47 Sentinel Mountain Dolomite- Bay State Dolomite ................. 48 Description................................................ 48 Contacts and thickness..................................... 52 ...................................... 53 Devils Gate Limestone........................................... 53 Description................................................ 53 Contacts................................................... 56 Thickness.................................................. 56 ..................................................56 Pinto Peak Rhyolite............................................. 57 Pinto Basin Tuff Member.................................... 57 Sierra Springs Tuff Member................................. 59 Rhyolite Dome.............................................. 60 Porphyritic Granite............................................. 61 Tertiary and Quaternary Unconsolidated Sediments................ 63 STRUCTURE.......................................................... 64 Introduction................................................... 64 Ordovician Packet.............................................. 65 Main Denudational Fault........................................ 66 Lone Mountain Dolomite Packet.................................. 67 Denudational Fault Between Lone Mountain Dolomite andDevonian Packets.......................................... 68 Devonian Packet...............................................
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