T-4010 Stratigraphy of the Devonian Guilmette
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T-4010 STRATIGRAPHY OF THE DEVONIAN GUILMETTE FORMATION, PAHRANAGAT RANGE, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEVADA by Jane E. Estes b o a t e r ProQuest Number: 10783700 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10783700 Published by ProQuest LLC(2018). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 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 Q j u u i m z - Signed: Jafle E. Estes Approved: Dr.yTdhn E. Warme £sis Advisor Golden, Colorado Date hpfx'l V Dr. Gregory S. Holden Acting Head, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering T-4010 ABSTRACT The Devonian Guilmette Formation is well exposed in the Pahranagat Range, Lincoln County, Nevada. The purpose of this study is to describe and interpret deposi- tional sequences within the Guilmette in this area. The Guilmette Formation was subdivided into three Members based on its lithology and depositional processes. The Lower Member is composed of interbedded limestone and dolomite deposited as shallowing-upward cycles in a shallow platform environment. The Middle Member is separated from the Lower and Upper Members by sharp, erosional contacts. This enigmatic Member exhibits characteristics of submarine debris flows and was deposited in relatively deep water. The Upper Member is composed of interbedded limestone, dolomite, and sandstone deposited in subtidal to supratidal environments. These units appear to be somewhat cyclic, although not as well defined as the cycles of the Lower Member. In terms of sequence stratigraphy, the Lower Member is interpreted as the transgressive systems-tract due to its overall deepening-upward nature. The Middle Member is thought to represent a highstand-systems tract because the accommodation space necessary for this deposit to accumulate requires a very high stand of relative sea level. The top of the Middle Member, which is thought to represent a relative sea level fall, is interpreted as a type 2 sequence boundary. The Upper Member appears to be regressive overall and is interpreted as the shelf margin wedge. Computer-generated Fischer plots were used as an objective means of supporting this interpretation. iii T-4010 Synthetic gamma ray curves constructed for the Guilmette in the study area indicate regional trends that may be useful for exploration. In general, the Lower Member exhibits high gamma values and the Middle Member exhibits low gamma values. Additionally, unconformity at the top of the Middle Member is marked by a spike on the gamma curve that may serve as a regional marker. iv T-4010 TABLE OF CONTENTS page ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................. vii LIST OF PLATES ........................................................................................................ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .........................................................................................x Chapter 1. IN T R O D U C T IO N ................................................................................... 1 Purpose and Scope ..................................................................................... 1 Location of Study A rea ............................................................................. 1 Methods of Investigation ........................................................................... 2 Explanation of Plates ............................................................................... 4 Regional Setting ....................................................................................... 5 2. PREVIOUS W ORK .............................................................................. 13 Stratigraphic Studies ................................................................................... 13 Paleoecological Studies.............................................................................. 17 3. LOWER MEMBER OF THE GUILMETTE FORMATION 19 Introduction .....................................................................................................19 L ith o lo g y ..................................................................................................... 19 Petrography ...................................................................................................22 Environment of Deposition .........................................................................32 4. MIDDLE MEMBER OF THE GUILMETTE FORMATION ... 36 Introduction ..................................................................................................36 Lithology ....................................................................................................... 36 Petrography .................................................................................................. 43 Environment of Deposition ........................................................................49 v T-4010 5. UPPER MEMBER OF THE GUILMETTE FORMATION 52 Introduction ..................................................................................................52 Lithology .......................................................................................................52 Petrography ..................................................................................................56 Environment of Deposition ........................................................................65 6. SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC FRAMEWORK OF THE GUILMETTE FORMATION ...............................................................71 Introduction .................................................................................................... 71 Key Definitions............................................................................................ 71 Fischer P lots ..................................................................................................72 Interpretation ................................................................................................. 76 7. PETROLEUM POTENTIAL OF THE GUILMETTE FORMATION ..................................................................................................80 Introduction .................................................................................................... 80 Exploration .......................................................................................................80 Reservoir ........................................................................................................ 83 8. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS....................................................... 84 REFERENCES CITED ................................................................................................87 vi T-4010 LIST OF FIGURES page 1.1 Location map ........................................................................................................ 3 1.2 Devonian paleogeographic and paleotectonic map ..............................................7 1.3 Geologic map of study area .................................................................................12 2.1 Outcrop photo showing three Members of the Guilmette .................................18 3.1 Basal contact of the Guilmette ............................................................................. 20 3.2 Dolomite of the Lower Member...........................................................................22 3.3 Lime oncoid packstone bed ...................................................................................23 3.4 Photomicrograph of SMF 9 in Lower Member ..................................................25 3.5 Photomicrograph of SMF 16 in Lower Member ............................................... 26 3.6 Photomicrograph of SMF 19 in Lower Member ............................................... 27 3.7 Photomicrograph of SMF 20 in Lower Member ............................................... 28 3.8 Photomicrograph of SMF 23 in Lower Member ............................................... 30 3.9 Photomicrograph of diagenetic phases in Lower Member ................................ 31 3.10 Idealized cycle of the Lower M ember................................................................33 4.1 Basal contact of the Middle Member.................................................................. 37 4.2 Typical clast assemblage of the Middle Member.............................................. 38 4.3 Large dolomite clasts within the Middle Member .............................................. 40 4.4 Lens-shaped bed of stromatoporoids within the Middle Member ..................... 41 4.5 Stromatoporoid biostrome within the Middle M ember .....................................42 vii T-4010 4.6 Photomicrograph of SMF 4 in Middle Member ................................................ 44 4.7 Photomicrograph of SMF 5 in Middle Member .................................................46