SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY AND DETRITAL ZIRCON PROVENANCE OF THE EUREKA QUARTZITE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL NEVADA AND EASTERN CALIFORNIA A Thesis by BENJAMIN DAVID WORKMAN Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE May 2012 Major Subject: Geology Sequence Stratigraphy and Detrital Zircon Provenance of the Eureka Quartzite in South- Central Nevada and Eastern California Copyright 2012 Benjamin David Workman SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY AND DETRITAL ZIRCON PROVENANCE OF THE EUREKA QUARTZITE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL NEVADA AND EASTERN CALIFORNIA A Thesis by BENJAMIN DAVID WORKMAN Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Approved by: Chair of Committee, Michael Pope Committee Members, Brent Miller Deborah Thomas Head of Department, John Giardino May 2012 Major Subject: Geology iii ABSTRACT Sequence Stratigraphy and Detrital Zircon Provenance of the Eureka Quartzite in South- Central Nevada and Eastern California. (May 2012) Benjamin David Workman, B.S., Calvin College Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Michael Pope The Middle-Late Ordovician Eureka Quartzite in south-central Nevada and eastern California is a supermature quartz arenite that was deposited along the Lower Paleozoic western passive margin of Laurentia. Measured section descriptions and facies stacking patterns indicate that the Eureka Quartzite represents a 3rd-order sequence and contains three ~2-4 m.y. sequences and many small parasequences. Detrital zircon analysis of eight samples from the base and top of four locations contains three main populations of ~1.8-2.0 Ga, ~2.6-2.8 Ga, and ~2.0-2.3 Ga, and a smaller infrequent population of ~1.6-1.8 Ga grains. These peaks are interpreted to represent sediment sourced from exposed proximal basement to the east, likely from the Yavapai and Mazatzal Provinces (~1.6-1.7 Ga), the Trans-Hudson Orogen (~1.8-1.9 Ga), Paleoproterozoic crusts (~2.0-2.3 Ga), and underlying or proximal Archean (~2.6-2.8 Ga) sources. Sediment likely was transported to the shoreline and across Archean basement by rivers draining the Transcontinental Arch. Long-shore currents played an important role in deposition and likely account for the similarity of Middle-Late Ordovician, supermature, quartz arenite deposits on western Laurentia. Although the iv Peace River Arch likely provided some sediment for the Eureka Quartzite, it is apparent its provenance was mostly Trans-Hudson Orogen and Archean basement. Temporal and spatial provenance changes are inferred from probability-density plots of the detrital zircon analyses to indicate sea-level changes covered or exposed possible sediment sources during deposition. v DEDICATION To my wife who stood by my side and encouraged me to the end. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the chair of my committee, Dr. Mike Pope, and my committee members, Dr. Brent Miller and Dr. Debbie Thomas, for their assistance and support throughout the course of my research and studies. I would also like to thank my friends, fellow students, and faculty for providing a great experience and learning environment at Texas A&M University. Finally, I would like to thank my family for their encouragement, and my wife, Diane Workman, for her continued support, love, and patience throughout the course of my studies and research. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................... x INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1 Geologic Setting ................................................................................................. 3 Previous Provenance Studies ............................................................................. 8 METHODS ................................................................................................................ 9 Sampling Strategy .............................................................................................. 9 Sample Locations and Collection ....................................................................... 9 Measured Sections .............................................................................................. 10 Sample Preparation ............................................................................................ 14 Sample Analysis ................................................................................................. 15 Sample Size ........................................................................................................ 16 Data Reduction ................................................................................................... 16 RESULTS .................................................................................................................. 17 Depositional Environments ................................................................................ 17 Sequence Stratigraphy ........................................................................................ 26 Detrital Zircon Results ....................................................................................... 27 Detrital Zircon Interpretation ............................................................................. 31 Temporal Variability .......................................................................................... 31 Spatial Variability and Significance ................................................................... 33 Provenance Change and Sequence Stratigraphy ................................................ 36 Potential Sources and Provenance ...................................................................... 38 viii Page DISCUSSION OF RESULTS ................................................................................... 41 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................... 45 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................... 47 APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................... 52 APPENDIX B ........................................................................................................... 53 APPENDIX C ........................................................................................................... 54 APPENDIX D ........................................................................................................... 63 APPENDIX E ............................................................................................................ 73 APPENDIX F ............................................................................................................ 83 APPENDIX G ........................................................................................................... 92 APPENDIX H ........................................................................................................... 94 VITA ......................................................................................................................... 96 ix LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE Page 1 Map of Western North America ................................................................. 2 2 Biostratigraphic Correlation Chart for Middle-Upper Ordovician Quartz Arenites of Western U.S. and U.S. Midcontinent ...................................... 5 3 Map of Study Area in South-Central Nevada and Eastern California ....... 7 4 Cross Section of Measured Sections from Northwest to Southeast ........... 12 5 Depositional Profile across the Eureka Quartzite....................................... 18 6 Pictures of Offshore Environment .............................................................. 21 7 Pictures of Lower Shoreface Environment ................................................ 22 8 Pictures of Middle Shoreface Environment ............................................... 23 9 Pictures of Upper Shoreface Environment ................................................. 24 10 Pictures of Subtidal to Tidal Flat Environment .......................................... 25 11 Probability-Density Plots and Histograms ................................................. 28 12 Example Wetherill Concordia Plot ............................................................ 30 13 Provenance Change and Systems Tracts .................................................... 37 x LIST OF TABLES TABLE Page 1 Sedimentary Facies .................................................................................... 13 2 Facies Associations .................................................................................... 17 3 Description of Analyzed Samples .............................................................. 29 4 Overlap