Outcrop Based Facies and Architecture Analysis of the Regional Intertonguing of Early Jurassic Kayenta Formation with the Navajo Sandstone, Kanab Canyon, Utah
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Outcrop Based Facies and Architecture Analysis of the Regional Intertonguing of Early Jurassic Kayenta Formation with the Navajo Sandstone, Kanab Canyon, Utah by Muhammad Sadeed Hassan A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science Department of Earth Sciences University of Toronto © Copyright by Muhammad Sadeed Hassan 2015 Outcrop Based Facies and Architecture Analysis of the Regional Intertonguing of Early Jurassic Kayenta Formation with the Navajo Sandstone, Kanab Canyon, Utah Muhammad Sadeed Hassan Master of Applied Science Department of Earth Sciences University of Toronto 2015 Abstract The establishment of the extensive Navajo erg can be identified in the Lower Jurassic rocks of the Kanab Canyon area by three distinct and successively thicker advances over the marginal fluvial Kayenta. A total of 15 fluvial and eolian facies were identified based on several vertical sedimentological logs. The facies were summarized in four main facies associations, representing multistorey braided fluvial channels, unconfined ephemeral fluvial sandsheets, erg margin and eolian dune depositional settings. The eolian units have a consistent paleoflow towards the east, which opposed the fluvial paleoflow towards the west. Fluvial architectural element analysis was completed in four lateral outcrop profiles. Additionally, two lateral architectural profiles were completed within the eolian units. Based on systematic vertical facies association transition and overall decrease in fluvial energy upsection, three drying-up trends were identified. These trends are proposed to be correlative across the basin and likely represent climatic cycles. ii Acknowledgments First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor Dr. Andrew Miall for introducing me to this area of research and providing me with much needed guidance, editorial assistance and financial support. I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Ulrich Wortmann and Dr. Nick Eyles for their editorial support and guidance. Introduction to the geology of the southwest USA, field logistics and the progress of this project would have been impossible without the help of Dr. Gerald Bryant. Gerald and his wife Deb have made every trip to Utah very memorable and enjoyable. Gerald has also been a genuine mentor and a true source of inspiration. I would also like to thank Tassos Venetikidis for his support through every phase of this project. I truly cherish the times we have spent together in Kanab during the two field seasons. I am grateful for your immense field knowledge and also providing the motivation on days when things were not the clearest. Thanks for all the great laughs and for being a true friend. Thanks to all the other graduate students in the department for providing a great social and academic environment. I feel lucky to have met so many people during my time at the University of Toronto. Special thanks to Stefan Markovic for the great discussions and always lending an ear. Last but definitely not the least, the support from my family and friends comes in countless ways. Thanks for keeping me sane and providing me with much needed distractions and of course, always believing in me. I would not have completed this without the constant love and support. iii Table of Contents Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ ix List of Appendices ........................................................................................................................ xii Chapter 1 ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction and Background ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction and Research Objectives ................................................................................ 1 1.2 Study Area .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Methods ............................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Tectonics and Basin Setting ................................................................................................ 5 1.4.1 Kayenta-Navajo Depositional Basin ....................................................................... 5 1.4.2 Basin Subsidence .................................................................................................... 7 1.4.3 Jurassic Paleogeography and Climate ..................................................................... 8 1.5 Previous Work .................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 14 Sedimentology, Facies Description and Associations .................................................................. 14 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 14 2.2 Facies Description ............................................................................................................. 19 2.2.1 Massive to crudely stratified intraformational conglomerate (Gm)...................... 19 2.2.2 Trough cross bedded intraformational conglomerate (Gt) .................................... 20 2.2.3 Erosional scours with muddy intraclasts sandstone (Sc) ...................................... 21 2.2.4 Horizontal to low angle laminated sandstone (Sh) ............................................... 23 2.2.5 Rippled sandstone (Sr) .......................................................................................... 24 iv 2.2.6 Planar cross bedded sandstone (Sp) ...................................................................... 25 2.2.7 Interbedded laminated siltstone and mudstone (Fl) .............................................. 26 2.2.8 Massive mudstone (Fm) ........................................................................................ 27 2.2.9 Flaser bedded mudstone (Ff) ................................................................................ 28 2.2.10 Structureless to mottled siltstone and mudstone (Fr) ............................................ 29 2.2.11 Wavy Laminated Sandstone (Sw) ......................................................................... 31 2.2.12 Structureless sandstone (Eolian) (Sse) .................................................................. 33 2.2.13 Planar-tabular cross bedded sandstone (Eolian) (Spe) .......................................... 34 2.2.14 Large scale cross bedded sandstone (Eolian) (Sle) ............................................... 35 2.2.15 Interdune carbonate (Fc) ....................................................................................... 35 2.3 Paleocurrent Analysis ....................................................................................................... 37 2.4 Facies Associations ........................................................................................................... 39 2.4.1 Facies Association 1 (FA1): Multistorey braided fluvial channels ...................... 39 2.4.2 Facies Association 2 (FA2): Unconfined fluvial sandsheets and overbank deposits ................................................................................................................. 41 2.4.3 Facies Association 3 (FA3): Sandsheet and erg margin ....................................... 44 2.4.4 Facies Association 4 (FA4): Eolian dune and draa ............................................... 46 2.5 Petrography ....................................................................................................................... 48 2.5.1 Springdale Member ............................................................................................... 50 2.5.2 Lower Kayenta ...................................................................................................... 50 2.5.3 Kayenta Eolian ...................................................................................................... 51 2.5.4 Upper Kayenta ...................................................................................................... 51 2.5.5 Lamb Point Tongue ............................................................................................... 52 2.5.6 Tenney Canyon Tongue ........................................................................................ 52 2.5.7 Navajo ................................................................................................................... 52 2.6 Cement .............................................................................................................................. 53 v 2.6.1 Dolomite Cement and Source ..............................................................................