Geological Survey Standards. CONTENTS

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Geological Survey Standards. CONTENTS UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Depositional Environment of the Middle Proterozoic Spokane Formation-Empire Formation Transition Zone, West-Central Montana By James W. Whipple Open-File Report 80-1232 1980 This report is preliminary and has not been edited or reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey standards. CONTENTS Page Introduction*........................................................... 1 Acknowledgments.................................................... A Purpose and scope.................................................. A Previous studies................................................... A Geologic setting................................................... 5 Stratigraphic subdivision.......................................... 6 Primary sedimentary structures.......................................... 7 Bedding and lamination............................................. 8 Graded lamination............................................. 8 Planar lamination............................................. 11 Rhythmic sand and mud bedding................................. 1A Wavy lamination............................................... 1A Ripple bedding and lamination................................. 17 Algal lamination and loferites................................ 19 Bedding-plane marks and imprints................................... 19 Subaerial shrinkage cracks.................................... 21 Subaqueous shrinkage cracks................................... 21 Raindrop impressions.......................................... 25 Gas expulsion pits............................................ 25 Salt crystal casts............................................ 28 Wrinkle marks................................................. 28 Mudchip breccias.............................................. 30 Target marks.................................................. 30 Flow structures............................................... 32 Ripple marks.................................................. 32 Deformational structures........................................... 35 Load structures............................................... 35 Ball-and-pillow structures.................................... 35 Small-scale diapiric structures............................... 38 Fluid escape structures............................................ Al Fluidization channels......................................... Al Birdseye structures........................................... Al Contorted structures............................................... 45 Lithofacies........................................**................... A5 Lithofacies A...................................................... A5 Lithofacies B...................................................... A5 Lithofacies C...................................................... A7 Lithofacies D...................................................... A7 Correlation............................................................. A7 Depositional environment................................................ 52 Lithofacies interpretation......................................... 52 Lithofacies A................................................. 52 Lithofacies B................................................. 52 Lithofacies C................................................. 53 Lithofacies D................................................. 53 Depositional model................................................. 5A Paleotidal range................................................... 56 References.............................................................. 58 Page Appendices.............................................................. 66 Appendix A, Terminology............................................ 67 Appendix B, Stratigraphic sections*................................ 67 McCabe Creek section.......................................... 67 Copper Creek section.......................................... 80 Diamond drill holes........................................... 96 ii ILLUSTRATIONS Page Figure 1. Relative position of Belt basin.............................. 2 2. Present stratigraphic terminology and correlation in the Belt basin............................................. 3 3 * Graded lamination in red beds................................ 9 4. Thin section of graded lamination in green beds.............. 10 5. Graded lamination (wavy) in green beds....................... 9 6. Planar lamination............................................ 12 7. Thin section of planar lamination............................ 13 8. Rhythmic sand-to-mud bedding with well-preserved flasers... 15 9* Lenticular bedding and lamination............................ 15 10. Typical, wavy, even parallel lamination of green beds........ 16 11. Ripple lamination in green calcareous siltite................ 18 12. Sinusoidal ripple lamination in red, subfeldspathic arenite.................................................... 18 13. Cryptalgal lamination in grayish-green loferites............. 20 14. A large oncolite preserved in lower Empire Formation......... 20 15* Subaerial shrinkage cracks................................... 22 16. Compacted subaerial shrinkage cracks in profile.............. 22 17 Linear subaqueous shrinkage cracks........................... 23 18. Birdsfeet subaqueous shrinkage cracks........................ 23 19* Subaqueous shrinkage cracks in profile....................... 24 20. Elliptical raindrop impressions.............................. 26 21. Circular raindrop impressions................................ 26 22. Gas expulsion pits on bedding plane surface of green calcareous siltite......................................... 27 23. Closeup of gas expulsion pits showing marginal, concentric cracks.......................................... 27 24. Probable salt crystal casts.................................. 29 25. Wrinkle marks on surface of red argillite.................... 29 26 Mudchip breccia ............................................. 31 27* A typical target mark........................................ 31 28. Oriented flow structure...................................... 33 29* Closeup of flow structure ................................... 33 30. Truncated, asymmetrical ripple marks in arenite ............. 34 31. Load structure of subfeldspathic arenite deforming interlaminated argillite................................... 36 32. Closer view of load structure................................ 37 33. Ball-and-pillow structure at McCabe Creek.................... 39 34. Typical ball-and-pillow structure at Copper Creek............ 39 35. Diapiric structures of dark-red argillite penetrating an arenite bed............................................. 40 36. Fluidization channel in slabbed green core from Blacktail Mountain......................................... 42 37. Fluidization channel in red beds at Copper Creek............. 43 38. Birdseye structure in green calcareous siltite............... 44 39* Contorted structure in red argillites........................ 46 40. Anticlinal contorted structures with fluidization channels occupying axes.................................... 46 41. Correlation of red and green lithofacies within the transition zone............................................ 48 iii Page 42. Correlation of lithofacies between McCabe Creek and Copper Creek....*...*.*.................................... 49 43. Distribution and percentage of rock types in the McCabe Creek section....................................... 50 44. Distribution and percentage of rock types in the Copper Creek section....................................... 51 45. Peritidal depositional model for the Spokane Formation- Empire Formation transition zone........................... 55 46. A view of the McCabe Creek exposures......................... 68 47.. Geologic map of the McCabe Creek area........................ 69 48. Copper Creek exposures....................................... 81 49. Geologic map of the Copper Creek area........................ 82 iv INTRODUCTION During late Precambrian time, fine-grained siliciclastic and carbonate sediments were deposited in and around an epicratonic basin presently located over portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and southern British Columbia and Alberta, Canada (fig. 1). The basin was relatively shallow and tectonically stable over a long period of time, and accumulated a package of rocks approximately 20 km thick known as the Belt Supergroup (Harrison and others, 1974; Harrison, 1972). This basin of deposition has been termed the Belt basin. Over the last few years, Harrison (1972) and others (Mudge and others, in press) have correlated the stratigraphy in the basin. This monumental task has provided subsequent workers a firm base for studying more detailed aspects of basin sedimentation. Figure 2 represents present-day interpretation of the stratigraphy in the Belt basin. Traditionally, the contact between the Spokane Formation and the Empire Formation is placed at the boundary where the dominant color of the section changes from red to green. This has led to some inconsistency in mapping, correlation, and interpretation of these formations; however, the change in dominant color has been recognized basin wide and thus remains a primary criterion used for distinguishing these formations. A distinct transition from red beds of the Spokane Formation to green beds of the conformably overlying Empire Formation is marked by a zone of alternating red-
Recommended publications
  • (LOWER PENNSYLVANIAN) in the PERMIAN BASIN Wayne R. Wright Bureau of Economic Geol
    DEPOSITIONAL HISTORY OF THE ATOKAN SUCCESSION (LOWER PENNSYLVANIAN) IN THE PERMIAN BASIN Wayne R. Wright Bureau of Economic Geology Jackson School of Geosciences The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas ABSTRACT Atokan-age units in the Permian Basin record a 2nd-order transgression, with aerially restricted, lower Atokan fluvial to shallow-marine siliciclastics followed by pervasive carbonate deposition. In general, Atokan-age siliciclastics dominated deposition in the west of the Permian Basin while carbonate deposition dominated throughout the rest of the basin. Predominance of carbonate facies across most of the Permian Basin is due to (1) lack of siliciclastic supply, (2) overall 2nd-order rising sea level, and (3) progradation of the Upper Marble Falls Formation onto the Eastern Shelf. Progradation was due partly to lower accommodation to the west and backstepping/retreat from encroaching Atokan deltaics to the east. The beginning of the Atokan is marked by a sea-level drop and subsequent lowstand conditions. A sequence boundary separates the Atokan from the underlying Morrowan carbonate section throughout the Permian Basin. Siliciclastic deposition in and around the Permian Basin is more aerially restricted than in the Morrowan. The earliest Atokan lowstand event is manifested in alluvial and fluvial incised-valley sediments in Lea County, New Mexico, and the Broken Bone Graben (Cottle County, Texas); fan- delta deposits in the Palo Duro Basin and Taylor Draw field (Upton County, Texas); and 1 post-Lower Marble Falls–pre-Upper Marble falls conglomerates (Gibbons Formation?) on the Llano Uplift. Following the lowstand event, a 2nd-order transgression appears to have dominated throughout the rest of the Atokan; however 3rd- and 4th-order, high- amplitude, sea-level fluctuations also occurred.
    [Show full text]
  • Depositional Setting and Reservoir-Scale
    DEPOSITIONAL SETTING AND RESERVOIR-SCALE ARCHITECTURE OF SANDSTONE BODIES OF THE GREEN RIVER FORMATION IN EVACUATION CREEK, DRAGON QUADRANGLE, EASTERN UINTA BASIN, UTAH by T. Ryan O’Hara A thesis submitted to the Faculty and the Board of Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Geology) Golden, Colorado Date _____________ Signed: ________________________________ T. Ryan O’Hara Signed: ________________________________ Dr. J. Frederick Sarg Thesis Advisor Golden, Colorado Date _____________ Signed: ________________________________ Dr. Paul Santi Professor and Head Department of Geology and Geologic Engineering ii ABSTRACT The Green River Formation is an Eocene lacustrine deposit that is present in several Rocky Mountain basins. In the Uinta basin, the Green River Formation has produced large amounts of oil and gas from many fields, the largest being the Greater Altamont-Bluebell field in the northern margin of the basin, the Monument Butte and Natural Buttes fields in the central region, and the Greater Red Wash field in the northeastern part of the basin. In addition, the Green River Formation contains one of the largest oil shale deposits in the world. The Uinta and Piceance basins are estimated to contain 1.32 trillion barrels and 1.53 trillion barrels respectively of total in-place oil shale resource. This study focuses on littoral to sublittoral sandstone deposition of the Green River Formation in the eastern Uinta basin of Utah, in Evacuation Creek, near the Utah-Colorado border. This area contains extensive and continuous outcrop of the Green River Formation exposed in steep cliffs and gullies, and allows for the study of these units at the reservoir-scale.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1839-G, H
    Stratigraphic Framework of Cambrian and Ordovician Rocks in the Central Appalachian Basin from Morrow County, Ohio, to Pendleton County, West Virginia Depositional Environment of the Fincastle Conglomerate near Roanoke, Virginia U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1839-G, H i i i I ' i ' i ' X- »-v l^,:^ Stratigraphic Framework of Cambrian and Ordovician Rocks in the Central Appalachian Basin from Morrow County, Ohio, to Pendleton County, West Virginia By ROBERT T. RYDER Depositional Environment of the Fincastle Conglomerate near Roanoke, Virginia By CHRYSA M. CULLATHER Chapters G and H are issued as a single volume and are not available separately U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1839-G, H EVOLUTION OF SEDIMENTARY BASINS-APPALACHIAN BASIN U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MANUEL LUJAN, Jr., Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DALLAS L. PECK, Director Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1992 For sale by Book and Open-File Report Sales U.S. Geological Survey Federal Center, Box 25425 Denver, CO 80225 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data (revised for vol. G-H) Evoluation of sedimentary basins Appalachian basin. (U.S. Geological Survey bulletin ; 1839 A-D, G-H) Includes bibliographies. Supt. of Docs. no.:19.3:1839-G Contents: Horses in fensters of the Pulaski thrust sheet, southwestern Virginia / by Arthur P. Schultz [etc.] Stratigraphic framework of Cam­ brian and Ordovician rocks in central Appalachian basin from Morrow County, Ohio, to Pendleton County, West Virginia / by Robert T.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Late Permian Burnetiamorph from Zambia Confirms Exceptional
    fevo-09-685244 June 19, 2021 Time: 17:19 # 1 ORIGINAL RESEARCH published: 24 June 2021 doi: 10.3389/fevo.2021.685244 A New Late Permian Burnetiamorph From Zambia Confirms Exceptional Levels of Endemism in Burnetiamorpha (Therapsida: Biarmosuchia) and an Updated Paleoenvironmental Interpretation of the Upper Madumabisa Mudstone Formation Edited by: 1 † 2 3,4† Mark Joseph MacDougall, Christian A. Sidor * , Neil J. Tabor and Roger M. H. Smith Museum of Natural History Berlin 1 Burke Museum and Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States, 2 Roy M. Huffington (MfN), Germany Department of Earth Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States, 3 Evolutionary Studies Institute, Reviewed by: University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 4 Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa Sean P. Modesto, Cape Breton University, Canada Michael Oliver Day, A new burnetiamorph therapsid, Isengops luangwensis, gen. et sp. nov., is described Natural History Museum, on the basis of a partial skull from the upper Madumabisa Mudstone Formation of the United Kingdom Luangwa Basin of northeastern Zambia. Isengops is diagnosed by reduced palatal *Correspondence: Christian A. Sidor dentition, a ridge-like palatine-pterygoid boss, a palatal exposure of the jugal that [email protected] extends far anteriorly, a tall trigonal pyramid-shaped supraorbital boss, and a recess †ORCID: along the dorsal margin of the lateral temporal fenestra. The upper Madumabisa Christian A. Sidor Mudstone Formation was deposited in a rift basin with lithofacies characterized orcid.org/0000-0003-0742-4829 Roger M. H. Smith by unchannelized flow, periods of subaerial desiccation and non-deposition, and orcid.org/0000-0001-6806-1983 pedogenesis, and can be biostratigraphically tied to the upper Cistecephalus Assemblage Zone of South Africa, suggesting a Wuchiapingian age.
    [Show full text]
  • Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of a Dry to Wet Eolian Depositional System, Burns Formation, Meridiani Planum, Mars
    Earth and Planetary Science Letters 240 (2005) 11–72 www.elsevier.com/locate/epsl Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a dry to wet eolian depositional system, Burns formation, Meridiani Planum, Mars J.P. Grotzinger a,*, R.E. Arvidson b, J.F. Bell III c, W. Calvin d, B.C. Clark e, D.A. Fike a, M. Golombek f, R. Greeley g, A. Haldemann f, K.E. Herkenhoff h, B.L. Jolliff b, A.H. Knoll i, M. Malin j, S.M. McLennan k, T. Parker e, L. Soderblom g, J.N. Sohl-Dickstein b, S.W. Squyres b, N.J. Tosca k, W.A. Watters a a Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, Earth, Atmos. and Planetary Sci., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA b Department Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA c Department of Astronomy, Space Sciences Bldg. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA d University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89501, USA e Lockheed Martin Corporation, Littleton, CO 80127, USA f Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA g Department Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, Box 871404, Tempe, AZ 85287-1404, USA h U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA i Botanical Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA j Malin Space Science Systems, Inc., San Diego, CA 92191, USA k Department of Geosciences, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2100, USA Accepted 22 September 2005 Editor: A.N. Halliday Abstract Outcrop exposures of sedimentary rocks at the Opportunity landing site (Meridiani Planum) form a set of genetically related strata defined here informally as the Burns formation.
    [Show full text]
  • Stratigraphy and Petrology of Mississippian, Pennsylvanian And
    STRATIGRAPHY AND PETROLOGY OF MISSISSIPPIAN, PENNSYLVANIAN, AND PERMIAN ROCKS IN THE MAGDALENA AREA, SOCORRO COUNTY, NEW MEXICO Open-File Report 54 New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources by William Terry Siemers December 1973 TABLEOFCONTENTS INTRODUCTION Area of Study Purpose of Study Method of Study Location and Accessibility ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 5 PALEOTECTONIC SETTING 6 MISSISSIPPIAN PERIOD 11 i Prekious Work 11 Regional Stratigraphy 11 Northern New Mexico 13 south- CentralNew Mexico 13 Southwestern New Mexico 14 Local Stratigraphy 16 Tip Top Mountain 16 *, North Baldy 20 North Fork Canyon 23 Stratigraphic Summary 26 Petrography 27 Caloso Formation 27 Kelly Limestone 28 PENNSYLVANIAN PERIOD 34 Previous Work 34. RegionalStratigraphy 38 Northern New Mexico 38 I Central New Mexico 39 1 Southwestern New Mexico 41 Local Stratigraphy 42 Tip Top Mountain 48 /' c. Sandia Formation 49 ' Madera Limestone 51 North Fork Canyon 52 Sandia Formation 53 Madera Limestone 55 North Baldy 56 Summary of Pennsylvanian Sections 62 ~~ ~ .. 11 Petrography 63 Sandia Formation 63 Madera Limestone 67 ROCKS OF QUESTIONED AGE 72 Bursum Farmation 73 Ab0 Formation 73 c Yeso Formation 75 Glorieta Sandstone 76 San Andres Formation 76 Comparison of Olney Ranch and Tres Montosas 'sections 76 . with Permian and Pennsylvanian Formations Thickness 76 Sedimentary Structures 77 Lithology 78 ENVIRONMENTS OF DEPOSITION 94 Caloso Formation 94 Kelly Limestone 95 Sandia Formation 96 . Quartzite 96 . Shale 97 Limestone 97 Madera Limestone 97 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 98 REFERENCES 100 APPENDICES 108 Appendix I: Stratigraphic Columns 109 Appendix II: Sedimentary Petrology 118 Appendix 111: Classification Systems 127 c iii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1.
    [Show full text]
  • High-Resolution Stratigraphy and Lithology of an Outcrop Within the Grundy Formation (Pennsylvanian), Harlan County, Southeast Kentucky
    Eastern Kentucky University Encompass Geosciences Undergraduate Theses Geosciences Spring 5-2020 High-resolution Stratigraphy and Lithology of an Outcrop within the Grundy Formation (Pennsylvanian), Harlan County, Southeast Kentucky Andrew Hensley Eastern Kentucky University Follow this and additional works at: https://encompass.eku.edu/geo_undergradtheses Recommended Citation Hensley, Andrew, "High-resolution Stratigraphy and Lithology of an Outcrop within the Grundy Formation (Pennsylvanian), Harlan County, Southeast Kentucky" (2020). Geosciences Undergraduate Theses. 7. https://encompass.eku.edu/geo_undergradtheses/7 This Restricted Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Geosciences at Encompass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Geosciences Undergraduate Theses by an authorized administrator of Encompass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. High-resolution Stratigraphy and Lithology of an Outcrop within the Grundy Formation (Pennsylvanian), Harlan County, Southeast Kentucky By Andrew Hensley Submitted to Walter S. Borowski Senior Thesis (GLY 499) May 2020 i TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………….…….... 2 Methods……………………………………………………………………………………... 2 Results………………………………………………………………………………………..3 Coarsening-upward Sequence 1…………………..…………………………………5 Coarsening-upward Sequence 2…………………..…………………………………7 Coarsening-upward Sequence 3…………………..…………………………………9 Coarsening-upward Sequence 4…………………………………………………….11 Coarsening-upward Sequence
    [Show full text]
  • Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Geochronology of the Proterozoic Mazatzal Group, Central Arizona
    Sedimentology, stratigraphy, and geochronology of the Proterozoic Mazatzal Group, central Arizona RoÂnadh Cox² Department of Geosciences, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267, USA Mark W. Martin³ Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Jana C. Comstock Department of Geosciences, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267, USA Laura S. Dickerson Geology Department, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903, USA Ingrid L. Ekstrom Department of Geology, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts 01002, USA James H. Sammons Department of Geology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia 24450, USA ABSTRACT Group. When tectonic activity ceased, how- the Proterozoic tectonic block known as the ever, the surrounding highlands were planed Mazatzal block (Karlstrom and Bowring, Quartzite, conglomerate, and shale of the down by erosion, and detritus from a wider 1993) (Fig. 2) and represents the transition Mazatzal Group record the ®lling of a Prot- variety of source rocks was funneled into the from tectonically active arc and marginal- erozoic intra-arc basin in central Arizona. U- basin. This included contributions from arc- basin environments to a stable continental re- Pb ages of zircons from rhyolite ash-¯ow tuff related supracrustal rocks of the Payson gime (Bowring and Karlstrom, 1990; Karls- indicate that deposition began at 1701 6 2 Ophiolite and East Verde River Formation, trom and Bowring, 1988; Karlstrom et al., Ma. Basal deposits of the newly de®ned Pine and ®nally a granitic basement input. Detri- 1987). Information about the age and stratig- Creek Conglomerate formed in an alluvial- tal quartz in the lower part of the Mazatzal raphy of these sedimentary deposits is there- fan setting, synchronous with the ®nal Group is largely monocrystalline, and vol- fore fundamental to understanding the later phase of extrusive rhyolite volcanism and canic in origin.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydrocarbon Reservoir and Source-Rock Characteristics from Selected Areas of Southwestern Alaska
    STATE OF ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HYDROCARBON RESERVOIR AND SOURCE-ROCK CHARACTERISTICS FROM SELECTED AREAS OF SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA BY W.M. Lyle Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and I.F. Palmer, Jr., J.G. Bolm, and T.O. Flett U.S. Minerals Management Service - -- -- - -- -- -- - - - --- -- PROFESSIONAL REPORT 77 Published by DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL & GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS ROSS G. SCHAFF STATE GEOLOGIST PROFESSIONAL REPORT 77 HYDROCARBON RESERVOIR AND SOURCE-ROCK CHARACTERISTICS FROM SELECTED AREAS OF SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA BY W.M. Lyle, I.F. Palmer, Jr., J.G. Bolm, and T.O. Flett STATE OF ALASKA Jay S. Hammond, Gouernor John W. Katz, Commissioner, Dept. ofNatural Resources Geoffrey Haynes, Deputy Commissioner Ross G. Schaff, State Geologist For sale by Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, P.O. Box 80007, College, 99708; 323 E. 4th. Anchorage, 99501: P.O. Box 7438, Ketchikan, 99901; and 230 So. Franklin, Juneau, 99811. Price: $6.50. CONTENTS Page Abstract .................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................. 1 Structural geology .............................................................. 1 Formal rock units studied ......................................................... 2 GemukGroup.............................................................. 2 KuskokwimGroup .......................................................... 4 Shaktolik Group ...........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Formation of Convolute Lamination in Mud‐
    DR. CHARLOTTE GLADSTONE (Orcid ID : 0000-0001-8869-2520) Article type : Original Manuscript The formation of convolute lamination in mud-rich turbidites Gladstone, C.†, McClelland, H.M.O.^, Woodcock, N.H.*, Pritchard, D‡. and Hunt, J.+ †BP Institute for Multiphase Flow, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0EZ, UK ^Earth and Planetary Sciences Department, Washington University in St Louis, Campus Box 1169, 1 Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA. *Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, UK ‡Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, 26 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XH, Scotland +National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Associate Editor – Jaco Baas ABSTRACT Convolute lamination is a common fold structure within turbidite beds, attributed to the deformation of sediment during or soon after deposition of the host bed. Despite the prevalence of this feature, the formational processes are still not well understood. Possible mechanisms are investigated here through redescription and analysis of convolute lamination from the Aberystwyth Grits Group (Silurian, west Wales, UK), in which ‘convolute bedding’ was first defined. Internal bed structures have been studied in clean coastal exposures and on high-resolution optical scans of cut surfaces. Convolute lamination occurs in intervals 2 to 10 cm thick, spanning the top of the very fine sand Bouma C division through the D division of interlaminated silt and clay. Observed growth geometries confirm that the structure formed during sedimentation of the host graded bed. Folds This is an Accepted Article that has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication in the Sedimentology, but has yet to undergo copy-editing and proof correction.
    [Show full text]
  • By Alyssa Franklin Dykes DEPOSITION, STRATIGRAPHY
    DEPOSITION, STRATIGRAPHY, PROVENANCE, AND RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION OF CARBONATE MUDSTONES: THE THREE FORKS FORMATION, WILLISTON BASIN By Alyssa Franklin Dykes A thesis submitted to the Faculty and the Board of Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Geology). Golden, Colorado Date _____________________ Signed: _______________________________ Alyssa Franklin Dykes Signed: _______________________________ Dr. J.F. Sarg Thesis Advisor Signed: _______________________________ Dr. Steve Sonnenberg Thesis Advisor Golden, Colorado Date _____________________ Signed: _______________________________ Dr. Paul Santi Professor and Head Department of Geology and Geological Engineering ii ABSTRACT This thesis uses a drill core database from a 250 square mile area of North Dakota and Montana to evaluate the depositional environment, stratigraphic development, provenance, and reservoir quality of the Famennian Three Forks carbonate mudstones. Depositional environments and lithofacies include the following. Schizohaline, storm dominated intrashelf deposits defined by disturbed claystone, dolomudstone, sandstone, laminated mudstone, and distorted to brecciated dolomudstone lithofacies. These lithofacies often contain syneresis cracks, desiccation cracks, high depositional rate features such as convolute bedding and load features, and many scours. Ichnofacies vary from fairweather mobile and sessile feeding traces, early post-storm event escape traces, post-event opportunistic colonizers, and a final return to fairweather colonies. Arid shallow shelf deposits form during times of minimal fluvial and resultant minimal siliciclastic input into the basin, as well as times of evaporation conducive to broad salina, evaporative gypsum deposits. Mudflats rim these two shelf environments. During arid times they commonly contain abundant syndepositional nodular anhydrites and during less arid times they are full of intraclasts that range in abundance and size.
    [Show full text]
  • Younger Precambrian Geology in Southern Arizona
    Younger Precambrian Geology in Southern Arizona GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 566 Younger Precambrian Geology in Southern Arizona By ANDREW F. SHRIDE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 566 Stratigraphic^ lithologic^ and structural features of younger Precambrian rocks of southern Arizona as a basis for understanding their paleogeography and establishing their correlation UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1967 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY William T. Pecora, Director Library of Congress catalog-card No. OS 67-238 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 65 cents (paper cover) CONTENTS Page Page Abstract.__________________________________________ 1 Apache Group Continued Introduction. ______________________________________ 2 Basalt flows.___________________________________ 42 Older Precambrian basement----_----___--___________ 4 General features and distribution.____________ 42 Pre-Apache unconformity._----_-_-_-________________ 6 Petrology.___--_______-_____-_--__________. 43 Thickness and distribution of younger Precambrian rocks. 7 Criteria for distinguishing basalt from diabase.. 43 Apache Group____________________________________ 11 Pre-Troy unconformity.______---_-___________-.____. 44 Pioneer Shale__________________________________ 11 Troy Quartzite.____________________________________ 44 Thickness and general character-_____________ 11 Definition and subdivision.______________________
    [Show full text]