DOCSLIB.ORG

MISSISSIPPIAN CHERT, OKLAHOMA by MIN ZHAO Bachelor

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
MISSISSIPPIAN CHERT, OKLAHOMA by MIN ZHAO Bachelor PETROLOGIC AND PETROPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: MISSISSIPPIAN CHERT, OKLAHOMA By MIN ZHAO Bachelor of Science in Geology China University of Petroleum (Beijing) Beijing, China 2009 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE December, 2011 PETROLOGIC AND PETROPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: MISSISSIPPIAN CHERT, OKLAHOMA Thesis Approved: Dr. Darwin R. Boardman II Thesis Adviser Dr. James Puckette Dr. Jay M. Gregg Dr. Mark E. Payton Dean of the Graduate College ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................1 Purpose of study.......................................................................................................1 Objective ..................................................................................................................2 Methods....................................................................................................................2 Previous Work..........................................................................................................3 II. GEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ............................................................................6 Geological Setting....................................................................................................6 Stratigraphy ..............................................................................................................8 III. PETROLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MISSISSIPPIAN CHERT AND MISSISSIPPIAN CHERTY LIMESTONE ...........................................................10 Lithology of Mississippian Chert...........................................................................10 Mississippian Cherty Limestone ............................................................................25 Comparison between the Mississippian Chert and Mississippian Cherty Limestone ................................................................................................................................37 Pore System............................................................................................................44 IV. PETROPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MISSISSIPPIAN CHERT48 Porosity and Permeability ......................................................................................48 Bulk Density ..........................................................................................................52 Well Log Characteristics Associated with Core ....................................................55 V. DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................58 Origin of Silica.......................................................................................................58 Origin of Silt ..........................................................................................................62 iii Chapter Page Diagenesis ..............................................................................................................62 Possible Controls on Petrophysical Properties ......................................................68 VI. CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................................................70 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................73 iv LIST OF TABLES Table Page I. Porosity, permeability, and density of Mississippian chert from core plugs and thin sections,. ......................................................................................................... 49 II. Bulk density, and rock density of Mississippian chert from core plugs and thin sections………………………………………………………………………………..52 III. Comparison of petrophysical properties between Mississippian chert and cherty limestone and possible controls.. ....................................................................... 68 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Location of the Nemaha Uplift, Cherokee Platform, and core wells. ............................. 7 2. Stratigraphic column in study area. Modified from Mazzullo et al. (2011). .................. 9 3. Petrolog of the Mississippian chert. .............................................................................. 11 4. Core photographs of the tripolitic chert. ....................................................................... 14 5. Thin section photomicrographs of the lower tripolitic zone ......................................... 15 6. Core photographs of LC cherty limestone. ................................................................... 17 7. Thin section photomicrographs of LC cherty limestone............................................... 18 8. Core photographs of less weathered chert. ................................................................... 20 9. Thin section photomicrographs of less weathered chert. .............................................. 21 10. Core photographs of the upper tripolitic chert. ........................................................... 23 11. Thin section photomicrographs of the upper tripolitic chert.. .................................... 24 12. Petrolog of the Mississippian Limestone .................................................................... 26 13. Core photographys of lithofacies 1and 2. ................................................................... 30 14. Thin section photomicrographs of lithofacies 1.......................................................... 30 15. Thin section photomicrographs of lithofacies 2.......................................................... 31 16. Thin section photomicrographs of lithofacies 3.......................................................... 31 17. Core photograph and thin section photomicrographs of lithofacies 3. ....................... 32 18. Core photograph of lithofacies 4 and 5. ...................................................................... 33 19. Thin section photomicrographs of lithofacies 4 and 5. ............................................... 34 20. Thin section photomicrographs of spiculites, and partially replaced bioclasts..……35 21. Core photographs and thin section photomicrographs of lithofacies 6....................... 36 vi Figure Page 22. Thin section photomicrographs of the tripolitic chert, less weathered chert, and cherty limestone. .......................................................................................................................... 38 23. Core photographs of the Mississippian chert and cherty limestone. .......................... 41 24. Thin section photomicrographs of spiculites in Mississippian cherty limestone and the tripolitic chert in the Mississippian chert. ......................................................................... 42 25. Thin section photomicrographs of bioclasts in micritic matrix. ................................. 43 26. Thin section photomicrographs of micro and spicular-moldic porosity. .................... 46 27. Thin section photomicrographs of vuggy and fracture porosity. ................................ 47 28. Crossplot of porosity and permeability. ...................................................................... 50 29. Core measured porosity, permeability, density, rock density and chert clasts/matrix ratio for the Mississippian chert........................................................................................ 51 30. Calculated bulk density and rock density and bulk density from well logs................ 53 31. Correlation of well log responses to rock attributes determined by core plug analysis. ........................................................................................................................................... 57 32. Thin section photomicrographs showing dissolution of siliceous spicules. ............... 60 33. Thin section photomicrographs showing the abundance and distribution of spicules in the entirely silicified and slightly silicified zones............................................................. 61 34. Thin section photomicrographs of multiple generations of chertification. ................. 66 35. Thin section photomicrographs showing carbonate in chert. ..................................... 67 36. Thin section photomicrographs showing the selective removal of silica. .................. 67 vii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Purpose of Study The Mississippian chat is an informal name widely used by the petroleum industry. It is a weathered and/or detrital interval of highly porous or hard, low porosity chert at or near the top of the Osagean, Mississippian Series. Chat generally occurs along the unconformity between the Pennsylvanian and Mississippian subsystems in north- central Oklahoma and south-central Kansas (Rogers, 2001). The weathered chert reservoirs in the Mississippian chat can be highly porous and permeable, which makes them significant products of oil and gas. The Mississippian chat has been explored and developed for more than 80 years, but the origin of silica is still poorly understood, sources of silica in the chert have not been confirmed, and the formation of the chert is debated. Since Mississippian “chat” is an informal name, “chert” will be used in place of it in this study. The purpose of this study is to analyze selected samples of the Mississippian chert and (1) confirm sources of silica; (2) provide rock architecture and petrophysical
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Key to Rocks & Minerals Collections
    STATE OF MICHIGAN MINERALS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DIVISION A mineral is a rock substance occurring in nature that has a definite chemical composition, crystal form, and KEY TO ROCKS & MINERALS COLLECTIONS other distinct physical properties. A few of the minerals, such as gold and silver, occur as "free" elements, but by most minerals are chemical combinations of two or Harry O. Sorensen several elements just as plants and animals are Reprinted 1968 chemical combinations. Nearly all of the 90 or more Lansing, Michigan known elements are found in the earth's crust, but only 8 are present in proportions greater than one percent. In order of abundance the 8 most important elements Contents are: INTRODUCTION............................................................... 1 Percent composition Element Symbol MINERALS........................................................................ 1 of the earth’s crust ROCKS ............................................................................. 1 Oxygen O 46.46 IGNEOUS ROCKS ........................................................ 2 Silicon Si 27.61 SEDIMENTARY ROCKS............................................... 2 Aluminum Al 8.07 METAMORPHIC ROCKS.............................................. 2 Iron Fe 5.06 IDENTIFICATION ............................................................. 2 Calcium Ca 3.64 COLOR AND STREAK.................................................. 2 Sodium Na 2.75 LUSTER......................................................................... 2 Potassium
    [Show full text]
  • Origin of Fibrosity and Banding in Agates from Flood Basalts: American Journal of Science, V
    Agates: a literature review and Electron Backscatter Diffraction study of Lake Superior agates Timothy J. Beaster Senior Integrative Exercise March 9, 2005 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota. 2 Table of Contents AGATES: A LITERATURE REVEW………………………………………...……..3 Introduction………………....………………………………………………….4 Structural and compositional description of agates………………..………..6 Some problems concerning agate genesis………………………..…………..11 Silica Sources…………………………………………..………………11 Method of Deposition………………………………………………….13 Temperature of Formation…………………………………………….16 Age of Agates…………………………………………………………..17 LAKE SUPERIOR AGATES: AN ELECTRON BACKSCATTER DIFFRACTION (EBSD) ANALYSIS …………………………………………………………………..19 Abstract………………………………………………………………………...19 Introduction……………………………………………………………………19 Geologic setting………………………………………………………………...20 Methods……………………………………………………...…………………20 Results………………………………………………………….………………22 Discussion………………………………………………………………………26 Conclusions………………………………………………….…………………26 Acknowledgments……………………………………………………..………………28 References………………………………………………………………..……………28 3 Agates: a literature review and Electron Backscatter Diffraction study of Lake Superior agates Timothy J. Beaster Carleton College Senior Integrative Exercise March 9, 2005 Advisor: Cam Davidson 4 AGATES: A LITERATURE REVEW Introduction Agates, valued as semiprecious gemstones for their colorful, intricate banding, (Fig.1) are microcrystalline quartz nodules found in veins and cavities
    [Show full text]
  • Part 629 – Glossary of Landform and Geologic Terms
    Title 430 – National Soil Survey Handbook Part 629 – Glossary of Landform and Geologic Terms Subpart A – General Information 629.0 Definition and Purpose This glossary provides the NCSS soil survey program, soil scientists, and natural resource specialists with landform, geologic, and related terms and their definitions to— (1) Improve soil landscape description with a standard, single source landform and geologic glossary. (2) Enhance geomorphic content and clarity of soil map unit descriptions by use of accurate, defined terms. (3) Establish consistent geomorphic term usage in soil science and the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). (4) Provide standard geomorphic definitions for databases and soil survey technical publications. (5) Train soil scientists and related professionals in soils as landscape and geomorphic entities. 629.1 Responsibilities This glossary serves as the official NCSS reference for landform, geologic, and related terms. The staff of the National Soil Survey Center, located in Lincoln, NE, is responsible for maintaining and updating this glossary. Soil Science Division staff and NCSS participants are encouraged to propose additions and changes to the glossary for use in pedon descriptions, soil map unit descriptions, and soil survey publications. The Glossary of Geology (GG, 2005) serves as a major source for many glossary terms. The American Geologic Institute (AGI) granted the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) permission (in letters dated September 11, 1985, and September 22, 1993) to use existing definitions. Sources of, and modifications to, original definitions are explained immediately below. 629.2 Definitions A. Reference Codes Sources from which definitions were taken, whole or in part, are identified by a code (e.g., GG) following each definition.
    [Show full text]
  • Data of Geochemistry
    Data of Geochemistry * Chapter T. Nondetrital Siliceous Sediments GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 440-T Data of Geochemistry Michael Fleischer, Technical Editor Chapter T. Nondetrital Siliceous Sediments By EARLE R. CRESSMAN GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 440-T Tabulation and discussion of chemical analyses of chert with respect to mineralogic composition, petrographic type, and geologic occurrence UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1962 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEW ART L. UDALL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D.C. DATA OP GEOCHEMISTRY, SIXTH EDITION Michael Fleischer, Technical Editor The first edition of the Data of Geochemistry, by F. W. Clarke, was published in 1908 as U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 330. Later editions, also by Clarke, were published in 1911, 1916, 1920, and 1924 as Bul­ letins 491, 616, 695, and 770. This, the sixth edition, has been written by several scientists in the Geological Survey and in other institutions in the United States and abroad, each preparing a chapter on his special field. The current edition is being published in individual chapters, titles of which are listed below. Chapters already published are indicated by boldface type. CHAPTER A. The chemical elements B. Cosmochemistry C. Internal structure and composition of the Earth D. Composition of the earth's crust E. Chemistry of the atmosphere F. Chemical composition of subsurface waters, by Donald E. White, John D. Hem, and G. A. Waring G. Chemical composition of rivers and lakes, by Daniel A. Livingstone H. Chemistry of the oceans I.
    [Show full text]
  • Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina by W
    .'.' .., Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina By W. F. Wilson and B. J. McKenzie RUTILE GUMMITE IN GARNET RUBY CORUNDUM GOLD TORBERNITE GARNET IN MICA ANATASE RUTILE AJTUNITE AND TORBERNITE THULITE AND PYRITE MONAZITE EMERALD CUPRITE SMOKY QUARTZ ZIRCON TORBERNITE ~/ UBRAR'l USE ONLV ,~O NOT REMOVE. fROM LIBRARY N. C. GEOLOGICAL SUHVEY Information Circular 24 Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina By W. F. Wilson and B. J. McKenzie Raleigh 1978 Second Printing 1980. Additional copies of this publication may be obtained from: North CarOlina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development Geological Survey Section P. O. Box 27687 ~ Raleigh. N. C. 27611 1823 --~- GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SECTION The Geological Survey Section shall, by law"...make such exami­ nation, survey, and mapping of the geology, mineralogy, and topo­ graphy of the state, including their industrial and economic utilization as it may consider necessary." In carrying out its duties under this law, the section promotes the wise conservation and use of mineral resources by industry, commerce, agriculture, and other governmental agencies for the general welfare of the citizens of North Carolina. The Section conducts a number of basic and applied research projects in environmental resource planning, mineral resource explora­ tion, mineral statistics, and systematic geologic mapping. Services constitute a major portion ofthe Sections's activities and include identi­ fying rock and mineral samples submitted by the citizens of the state and providing consulting services and specially prepared reports to other agencies that require geological information. The Geological Survey Section publishes results of research in a series of Bulletins, Economic Papers, Information Circulars, Educa­ tional Series, Geologic Maps, and Special Publications.
    [Show full text]
  • The Geological Distribution of Chert in the Brooks Range
    August 30,1995 Price: $2.00 Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys PUBLIC-DATA FILE 95-32 THE GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF CHERT IN THE BROOKS RANGE by C.G. Mull August 1995 THIS REPORT HAS NOT BEEN REVIEWED FOR TECHNICAL CONTENT (EXCEPT AS NOTED IN TEXT) OR FOR CONFORMITY TO THE EDITORIAL STANDARDS OF DGGS. Released by STATE OF ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys 794 University Avenue, Suite 200 Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3645 THE GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF QHERT IN THE BROOKS RANGE CONTENTS ABSTRACT THE ORIGIN OF CHERT IN THE BROOKS RANGE DISTRIBUTION OF CHERT IN THE BROOKS RANGE Banded Cav to black chert fLisburne Group) Jet black chert (Akmalik Ched Gray and m-wn n chert @JcsIkpuJs. Fo-atchak . CheN Tan to gray to black banded chert fOt& Formation) Bri~htred, maroon. and gem chert SUMMARY FIGURES Fig. 1. Distribution of Lisburne Group limestone Fig. 2. Distribution of Akrnalik Chert. Fig. 3. Distribution of Siksikpuk Fonnation and Imnaitchiak Chert Fig. 4. Distribution of Otuk Formation. Fig. 5. Distribution of red and green chert THE GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF CHERT IN THE BROOKS RANGE Text of a paper read at Alaska Anthropological Association 22nd Annual Meeting, March 23-25,1995, Anchorage, Alaska ABSTRACT Geological mapping in the Brooks Range shows that high quality chert for tool making is abundant in sedimentary rocks in a number of areas along the northern flank and particularly in the foothills of the central and western Brooks Range. These cherts are dominantly black, light to dark gray, greenish gray, banded gray to black, or tan.
    [Show full text]
  • “Lithic Sourcing and Prehistoric Cultural Geography in The
    Lithic Sourcing and Prehistoric Cultural Geography in the Champlain Valley by Adrian Burke Introduction torically in the Northeast can be identified macroscopical- ly with some ease by experienced archaeologists (e.g. Western Onondaga chert or Ramah quartzite), the majority The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the usefulness of materials can be confused and misidentified because of and the necessity of analytical techniques developed in their macroscopic similarities (Calogero 1992). This is physics and chemistry in studying prehistoric cultural especially true for the most common lithic material used geography. My primary interest is understanding the prehistorically in the Northeast - chert. Geographically nature and extent of interactions between aboriginal groups distant sources of chert can often resemble one another in prior to European contact. This in turn provides insight color, luster, and texture. This is in part due to their simi- into various prehistoric processes and in some cases to his- lar geological genesis. In order to differentiate among toric processes in the Northeast. these cherts archaeologists are increasingly turning to physico-chemical analyses (Luedtke 1992; Leute 1987). I The question I will be tackling here is modest in scope; will discuss here one of these techniques called X-ray flu- basically I wish to accurately identify the geographic and orescence or XRF. geological sources of lithic materials found on a small Woodland period site near Montreal (Figure 1). This site was found during CRM work conducted by the Ministry of The BiFi-lO Site Transportation of Quebec (Arkeos 1994). The lithic mate- rials used by the occupants of site BiFi-lO to make their The BiFi-lO site is a small site covering less than 200 tools can not be found in the immediate vicinity of the site.
    [Show full text]
  • Glossary of Geological Terms
    GLOSSARY OF GEOLOGICAL TERMS These terms relate to prospecting and exploration, to the regional geology of Newfoundland and Labrador, and to some of the geological environments and mineral occurrences preserved in the province. Some common rocks, textures and structural terms are also defined. You may come across some of these terms when reading company assessment files, government reports or papers from journals. Underlined words in definitions are explained elsewhere in the glossary. New material will be added as needed - check back often. - A - A-HORIZON SOIL: the uppermost layer of soil also referred to as topsoil. This is the layer of mineral soil with the most organic matter accumulation and soil life. This layer is not usually selected in soil surveys. ADIT: an opening that is driven horizontally (into the side of a mountain or hill) to access a mineral deposit. AIRBORNE SURVEY: a geophysical survey done from the air by systematically crossing an area or mineral property using aircraft outfitted with a variety of sensitive instruments designed to measure variations in the earth=s magnetic, gravitational, electro-magnetic fields, and/or the radiation (Radiometric Surveys) emitted by rocks at or near the surface. These surveys detect anomalies. AIRBORNE MAGNETIC (or AEROMAG) SURVEYS: regional or local magnetic surveys that measures deviations in the earth=s magnetic field and carried out by flying a magnetometer along flight lines on a pre-determined grid pattern. The lower the aircraft and the closer the flight lines, the more sensitive is the survey and the more detail in the resultant maps. Aeromag maps produced from these surveys are important exploration tools and have played a major role in many major discoveries (e.g., the Olympic Dam deposit in Australia).
    [Show full text]
  • The 1996 Archeological Survey at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
    The 1996 Archeological Survey at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument National Park Service - Midwest Archeological Center The 1996 Archeological Survey at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument By Robert K. Nickel Midwest Archeological Center Technical Report No. 80 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Midwest Archeological Center Lincoln, Nebraska 2002 This report has been reviewed against the criteria contained in 43CFR Part 7, Subpart A, Section 7.18 (a) (1) and, upon recommenda tion of the Midwest Regional Office and the Midwest Archeological Center, has been classified as Available [without the appendix] Making the report available meets the criteria of 43CFR Part 7, Subpart A, Section 7.18 (a) (1). Abstract During August 1996, the author and a crew of three archeologists from the Midwest Archeological Center conducted an archeological survey of approximately 1,200 acres within the boundaries of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. The survey focused on fee-owned land north of the Niobrara River. In this area, the crew located five new sites and revisited several previously recorded sites. The crew also recorded 11 isolated stone tools north of the Niobrara River and buried soils containing animal bones at three locations along the river. The southern portion of the 1996 survey area overlapped areas covered by Caven Clark in 1991, and all areas had been reconnoitered by Marvin Kay in 1975. In addition to the area north of the Niobrara River, two locations on the south side of the river were examined. One of these is the present location of the small structure known as the Bone Cabin Complex because of its prior use by crews conducting paleontological research.
    [Show full text]
  • MICHIGAN's GEM STONES Agates--Many Kinds of Agates Can Be Collected Along the Lake Superior Shores Where They Have Been Worn by from the Lava Flows by Wave-Action
    MICHIGAN'S GEM STONES Agates--many kinds of agates can be collected along the Lake Superior shores where they have been worn by from the lava flows by wave-action. The shore road Harry J. Hardenberg from Eagle Harbor to Copper Harbor provides access to a number of collecting localities. For the most part, MICHIGAN GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DIVISION these agates are not large or showy. The MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION concentrically banded variety predominates. The 1959 mass type is extremely rare. Agates also occur along the Lake Superior shores of Ontonagon and Gogebic counties. Contents COPPER COUNTRY ........................................................ 1 Mines Beaches......................................................................... 1 The old nine dumps of abandoned copper mines afford Mines ............................................................................. 1 excellent opportunities for collectors. IRON COUNTRY .............................................................. 2 At the Baltic No. 2 shaft, near the town of South Range, SOUTHERN PENINSULA ................................................ 2 about seven miles southwest of Houghton, copper sulphide minerals can be collected from the dump. FOSSILS........................................................................... 3 These include chalcocite, bornite and chalcopyrite. Although not gem minerals, they are worthwhile additions to a mineral collection. Mineral and rock material suitable for lapidary work can be found in a number of areas of Michigan, but ordinarily From the dumps of the various Isle Royale mine shafts, we think first of the minerals of the Keweenaw located about two miles south of Houghton, prehnite and Peninsula. massive epidote, can be collected, as well as clear quartz crystals one-half inch or more in length. These were deposited in amygdules in the lava and in geodes. On the dump of the Wolverine Mine near Kearsarge, COPPER COUNTRY epidote crystals and agates can be found.
    [Show full text]
  • Petrographic Fabrics Within Proterozoic Microfossiliferous Chert
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 12-2018 Understanding Early Diagenetic Silicification: etrP ographic Fabrics within Proterozoic Microfossiliferous Chert Jeremy Ian Dunham University of Tennessee, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Recommended Citation Dunham, Jeremy Ian, "Understanding Early Diagenetic Silicification: Petrographic Fabrics within Proterozoic Microfossiliferous Chert. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2018. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/5350 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Jeremy Ian Dunham entitled "Understanding Early Diagenetic Silicification: etrP ographic Fabrics within Proterozoic Microfossiliferous Chert." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Science, with a major in Geology. Linda C. Kah, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Christopher Fedo, Molly McCanta Accepted for the Council: Dixie L. Thompson Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) Understanding Early Diagenetic Silicification: Petrographic Fabrics within Proterozoic Microfossiliferous Chert A Thesis Presented for the Master of Science Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Jeremy Ian Dunham December 2018 Copyright © 2018 by Jeremy I.
    [Show full text]
  • C:\Documents and Settings\Alan Smithee\My Documents\MOTM
    Nbsnadq1//0Lhmdq`knesgdLnmsg9I`rodq At certain points while putting together this write-up, we were seriously tempted to extend it until it was book length, so that we could examine all the delightful and diverse varieties of jasper found all around the world. Of course, had we written such a book a few years ago, it would now need to be rewritten, with a chapter devoted just to the spectacular orbicular jasper rediscovered in Madagascar in 1999! OGXRHB@K OQNODQSHDR Chemistry: SiO2 Impure, Opaque Colored Quartz in Granular Masses Class: Silicates Subclass: Tektosilicates Dana’s: Si Tetrahedral Frameworks Crystal System: Crystals too small to be seen with unaided eye Crystal Habits: Granular masses with Impurities Color: Red, green, brown, white, other colors Luster: Waxy to vitreous to dull Transparency: Subtranslucent to opaque Cleavage: None Fracture: Conchoidal Hardness: 7 Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9 Luminescence: None, unless caused by admixed impurities Distinctive Features and Tests: Hardness; Opaque; Difficult to distinguish from other microcrystalline quartz varieties Dana Classification Number: 75.1.3.1 M @L D The name jasper comes from the Greek iaspis, the name of a green-colored precious stone. Any further significance to the name in now known. Chert comes from the Irish ceart, meaning “stone,” while flint is an Anglo Saxon for a certain kind of chert, as explained further in the write-up. BNL ONRHSHNM Quartz is the second most common of minerals on earth. (Feldspar, a group with sixteen end-members, including albite, microcline, orthoclase, and the gem varieties labradorite, sunstone, moonstone is the most common.) This is not surprising when we consider that silicon and oxygen are far and away the most common elements in the crust of the earth, by weight, the crust is 47% oxygen and 28% silicon.
    [Show full text]